Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-02-04

character OF these rare individuals on the other
admit that we to guard against these rare indi
yiduals. But to argue that, because of the exist
ence Of those individuals in France or England
or any other nation the nation itself is disposed
make war upon us, is to make the exceptions to thf
rule, instead Of the rule ITSELF the basis Of the
gument
Whilst fully believe that there is no need Of
making preparations for war, because | fully be
lieve that there is no need Of war, | nevertheless,
admit that there is need Of government of prisons
and police, and an armed force Whilst fully be
liove that nation whose Government is Just, in al
It's dealings with its subjects and with foreign
ers and which so far confdes in and honors hu
man nature, as to trust that nations are capable o
the recprocatons of justice, and Of even the rocip
rocations OF love also I'll say, whilst fully believe
that such q nation needs to make no provision
against var, still admit that it is bound in com
mon with every other nation, to have ever in read
mess, both on sea and land a considerable armed
force, to be welded as occasions may require
against the hostes humaRi gencris--tho enemies Of
the human race-the pirates, that both on land and
sea lurk priyily for the innocent prey"
But what shall be the character, the intellectual
ana moral character of the who are TO compose
this armed force? That is by far, the most i'm.
portant question in this discussion and, perhaps
in all the range Of earthly interests there is not
more important question. The answer which
shall give to this question is very novel one SC
noVetha were not irresstibly impressed with its
truth and value, should not venture to give it.
The coercion, or punishment, Of its own citizens
by Government, is confessedly to be regarded as
beng IN all its stages, most solemn and response
bic work. Laws to that end are enacted with con-
siderateness and solcmnity. Wise and good men
only are fit to ennct them. Judges and jurors are
considerate and solemn in applying those laws
and none but upright and intelligent men are tho
tit to be judges and jurors. All this is indispen.
sable to maintain the moral influence of the laws
But II base men should then be thought fit to be in
trusted with the execution of the decree or verdcts
| oi the courtroom, that moral influence would be
broken and lost. The turnkey and hangman should
not tall below the judge and lawmaker in dignity OF
excellence OF character. 1t was once thought that
the vilest man in the community was the most ap-
propriate man for hangman. But soundcr thinking
requires that the hangman, if there must DO q
hangman, should be one Of the noblost and hottest
Of men.
Now what have here said in behalf of n digni
ned and solemn execution Of its laws against IL
lawless subjects, us well be snid in behalf Of
such an execution Of the laws of Government
against foreign offenders. 1t lis admitted that the
greatest wisdom and sOlemnity are needed in de
termining ON the war. But here comes the fata
inconsistency in employing those to execute the
declaration of war, who are, for the most part
profigate and base. Nay, it is held even by the
friends OF peace-even by good men--that sucl
profgate and base persons are the most fit to carry
ON the war. They believe with Napoleon, that
VIZ NOIot inc Dettcf the soldier = ara
with Wellington, that the men who have nice
scruples about religion have business to be sol
diers. a sad mistake, however, is this on the
part OF these good men referred to. They should
insist that, if there must be war, yirtuous and
intelligent men only are fit to carry it on. Peace
hOnored.
But If there must be war, it should be far more
honored than it is. ApOlice. composed as would
have It, could not fail to accomplish well its good
work. Surely, they who man the vessel that is to
go forth against the pirates Of the sea, and Athey
who take up arms to vndcate defed Justice on the
land should be men of virtue, and not vice intel
ligent and not ignorant The wicked and the vile
Will justify their wickedness if the wicked and vile
are sent forth to punish them. But thcy may be
awed or shamed OUT of their wickedness, if the
array against them is that of wisdom and purity
Having such conception of the character proper
for those who should compose the armed police of
nation, it is not strange that |, too should be in
favor of military and naval schools in our own
country nor that would have the highest literary
and scientific and moral instruction impaired in
them that would have the number of pupils in
them several times great as in our present mill
tary and naval schools. But the military and naval
schools that l would have would not be an append
age of the war system, and they would not train
their pupils for war.
Our armed men should be regarded as the con-
seryators Of the public peace. They should be
u
characterized as Christians and gentlemen and all
the better if they characterized as scholars also
Alas in what contrast with this character is that OF
the vast majority of those who compose the armies
of the world To that vast majority Governments
give out grog, as swill is given out to hogs From
the backs of that vast majority statesmen are re-
luctant to hold back the lash.
We are told that the policeman Of London is a
gentleman. lie should be one, But is not the
Office of preserving the peace and safety and order
Of nation, and of the world, as dignifed and inn
portant that of preserving the peace and safety
and order of a city? lnexpressibly more so. En-
phatically, then, should the men who compose the
national police, be gentlemen.
But it will be said, that men of the elevated
character with which l would fill up our armed
forces would not be content with the present wages
of the sailor and the soldier No; nor should they
be- Their wages should be several times as great.
But one such man as | propose would be worth
fifty Of the present kind of armed men in pre-
serving the worlds peace Nay the present kind
are continually hazarding the worlds peace.
i The Navy and Army, as now constituted, are
looked upon as simple brute force and as such,
they may serve to strike terror. But composed ms
| would have our armed forces composed, there
would be an ample amount of brute force in them
but there would be in them the far important
element of moral force say more important ele-
ment for disturbers of the peace and transgress-
ors of the law would be far more awe-struck and
controlled in the presence of the moral than the
brute force. Indeed, the brute force itself would
then be viewed very differently from what it now
is. Now it kindles the wrath, and oftentimes the
contempt, of those against whom il is arrayed.-
But then, commended and sactifed by the moral in
luence with which it would stand associated, il
would be respected and submitted to by large
share of those who would otherwise resist it,
That men of conscience are respected and feared
by their enemies and that their conscientiousness
makes their hearts none the lese courageous, and
their arms none the lass strong, was well illustra'
ted in CromwelPs armies
! said there is no need of preparing for war, and
assigned as my reason that thee is no need of war
| now add, that such preparation, instead of pre-
venting war, as is generally held, provokes to war
Does France see England making such prepara
ton ?-then is France provoked to make counter
Al. rIots LII,