The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-06-03
To The Editor of the National Era:


In your paper of February 90, you made
some remarks on Intervention between opprcs-
sors and the objects of their oppression. With
these remarks every intelligent philanthropist
will, think, cordially agree. AS the subject,
however, is not exhausted, and that your read
ers may see that your views are not peculiar
to yourself permit me to add few more re-
marks on the same side of the question
Intervention may be the act of O nation or.
of an individual 1t may take place in various
ways, or it may employ various agencies; and
it may be right or wrong, according as it is
rendered in favor of the oppressed or the OPP
pressor The time and the kind of nterven-
ton are questions in tho decision Of which
much practical wisdom is needed and who
ever are called on to make this decision, should
take counsel from on high. In all cases, all
peaceable means should he exhausted, before
II resort to any others is made The principle
of Intervention is we think, sanctioned by the
highest authority in the universe. He who
gives laws to all creatures, animate and mani
mate. rational and irrational required those
who had the power to defend the poor and
fatherless to deliver the poor and needy, and
rid them out of the hand of the wicked "-Ps
lxxxii 3, T. And he commands those who
cry, and bring the poor that are cast out to
their houses; and for compliance with this
command, q blessing is promsed-ISd lviii, Z,
g. On the contrary, a threatening IL uttered
against those who forber to deliver such as
are unjustly drawn forth to death, and are
ready to be slain by tyrants Prov xiv H.,
~ II was a source of deep grief to the sage
monarch of Israel when he beheld all the OPP
pressions that are done under the sun, and
when ON the part of their oppressors there was
power but there was no comlorter--there was
no Intervention by words or acts, to alleviate
their misery Ecd iv, l. The duty of inter
ycntion on behalf Of the oppressed lsraeltes,
fleeing from the sword of the invaders Of their
country was enjoined on the Moabites, who
were then enjoying their own independence,
Take counsel execute judgment, make thy
shadow as the night in the midst of the noon
day hide the outcasts bewray lbetray) not
him that VANDERBILT Let mine outcasts dwell
with thee, Moab be thou covert to them
from the face of the spoiler "-iM xvi, 3, &
Having thus shown the high sanction which
the principle Of Intervention has received let
us now view some opposite examples of the
kind found in the sacred records When, in
the days of Abraham, certain allied murderers
aud robbers invaded the fertile plains of Sodom,
and after laying them waste, carried away
whatever prisoners and booty their caprice or
convenience required, the Father Of the Faith
inl gave II practical exposition of the law OF
nations, by arming the little disposablc force
that he had under his authority, pursuing the
marauders and recovering from them their
booty and prisoners-Gen. xiv, Who will now
say that Abraham, by his Intervention in this
case, did not act from the wisest policy in ref
erence 10 his own future safety as well as from
principles of humanity, in thus yindicating tbs
rights and liberties Of his oppressed kindred
and neighbors
la the history OF Moses we have two exam
Piles OF personal Intervention. When he came
J to maturity Of years, he went out to witness