The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1853-06-08

~ itSdiue H7dnS fi"FSitlf A'"S pm
which have. dig1essed) is the one to which
have more immediate and direct reference
in uy communication. The law preseribes
an oath as q mems of elieiung the truth IN
preference 10 any other mOde.-There are
great many who object to the OATH some
from a Conscientious principle, and the
remaining part of this objeeting class which
by the way is much the larger portion)
from a principle, which might with proPrieiy
be termed. the pocket principle, The ar
gument which seems to be always at
hand to the former class, and to their salts
factory, is as it happens not 50 to my mind:
viz; such frequent administration Of oaths,
makes them too common, and therefore men
estem them of but slight and trivial import
ance. Look at this one argument and its
bearing we must administer oalhs as sellom
as possible for fear they will loss their in
fuencc on the human mind; if this principle
is correct in reference to the habit of taking
oaths, it is equally as correct in reference
10 every habit. 1t cannot hold good in ret
elence 10 this one isolated habit to the ex'
clusion of any, much less every other habit,
| Habit is habit let it be with reference to
what it may. Now we, according other log
| ic, must not hGJiuate ourselves toreading the
Bible for fear We loose our interest in it and
reverence for it. We must pray seldom,
perform acts of chari ty seldom, do acts Of
mercy and justice but few and far between,
lest peradventure we loose our interest in
these acts. Their argument may satisfy
them, but it seem to me they are easily sat
isGed indeed. The moral education and
training of children is habituating them to
The thinking and doing of what is right;
and the oFTENER we succeed in influencing
them 10 think right and act right, the
greater is the amount Of the gems compos-
| ing their moral character. If habit VIII
render the performance of any act easy,
will it not render everything else connected
with it liable to the same rule. The gr oss
offender, does his depredations and telonious
feats, with comparative dexterity, and with
gradually decreasing regard for the prin
cipes of right and equity; and increasing
love for vice ard crime--th;s is undoubted,
ly true, and will not a principle Of habit in ref
ference to acts of an opposite quality hol(
equally as true. lido not advocate the doc
trine that we must administer oaths unneces
sarily, but thele are thousands Of men
through the state who will feel the obliga
ton increased by the oath, and under i
will act different; and in order 10 avoid par
tial legislation, it is advisable to administe
it to all, it will hurt no men who has Al
unwayering intention to..do what right, an(
who does according to the 6est Of his hnoVt
ec{ge, for this is the extent of the obligation
and lis utmost limit.-As regards the class
who act Fl ON and are influenced by the pock
ct principle, they are composed Of those whl
deny the existence of the God of Justice, and
those who admit his existence; to the for
mer part have nothing to say, but would
kindly invite the attention Of ths latter class,
to few ideas relating to making false
statements and swearing to them in the as
sessment of property.
Suppose case, an old grey headed man
borne down with the infrmities Of age; il
the possession OF wealth sufficient to answer
all his wants and settle his children in cir
cumst ances of comfort: Suppose this MAJ
(by the way believerin the bibe,) fasife'
and swears to the lie. Reader give me you
attention. God is everywhere present ant
knows all things, and the man making oatl
solemnly appeals to him that his statements
are true. Here then he asks God, ever
the God Of infinite perfection and holiness
to endorse his lie, yea to make liar Of him
self, for he virtually says, thou God knowes
what say is true, when the man knows il
his own heart it is lie. The man ac
knowledges and denies it and by the same
act, the existanc &C Of God, aud makes him &
a liar with an upIlfted hand, and all this tc
save few dimes of tax He breads th,
idea Of facing large tax bill, but will it no
be awful, and infinitely harder to appear
and confront that God in the capacity Of {
just and righteous judge, whom he has nov
so grossly insulted and belied? Do no
console yourself that God will forget this act
he is Jealoas of bis own character, and heay
ems re9o riding angel was standing at youl
elbow (did you know this taking down youl
every thought word and action in the case
and now it all stands charged to yoar ow,
inaividuqi account in the unerng book o.
Gods omnicience. God in his providence
gave youall you have, you hold it not as
the rightful owner, but merely in trust, and
will he justify yolir,ls and make himself a
partner to Is? You with one foot in the
grave and the other tremulous on the brink,
have you ever read the s5th chapter Of the
book Of Acts in the New Testament
Have you ever thought that this world
is not your eternal home? Have you
ever thought that the bright light Of eter-
/