The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-07-16

'"S HtHo''oah 'ooScoJ 10 all uHWihiuS Uut neC-
essary concession 10 the spir, of the age but
the inevitable result of il must be their dis
bandment and the absorption of their men,
bership info other organizations. But, mean.
time, much evil is done the effects of which
will long endure. Doubtless some religious
societies and persons receive stain which
if moi indelible should be felt as wound at
vital point. The apparent opportunity of
dealing blow at popery was fatal tempta-
lion 10 many devout and Jealous men who
should have remembered the injunction a.
gainst stdoing evil that good may come"
and the admonition ''that they who take the
sword shall perish by it," Nothing can be
clearer to an intelligent and dispassionate OBJ.
server, than that the mode adopted by Them
Tor putting down or crippling an obnoxious
sect, must always fail Of its object and recoiI
injurousIy upon those concerned in il.
Nor are the effects of Know No,hingism
upon morals 10 be overlooked. The cam.
paisn of 1910 was justly denounced as de-
moralizing by reason of the tactics adopted
TO insure success. Moderation and truth
were discarded and under the phrensy of the
time, created by interested and unscrupulous 8
interests, a scene at once disgraceful and in
juEious was presented 10 The world. But thai
scandal was temporary and did not rest in a
systenf deliberately established for the de.
bauchment Of the people. But American. j.
ism, ESQ caled,) origina'ed In "maice afore-
thought; )" was conceded with deliberaton,
and systematized into an instrument of sec.
tartan and political aggression, upon modes
OF procedure copied from the worst of The al
legged abuses of catho icism. and dealing with
sacred obligations as the play,hings of ambi-
tion, interest and imposture. For The frs,
time in the history of the country, falsehood
became the chosen principle of party; de.
cei! was incucated as virtue, and its prac-
tce secured by oaihs. The consciences of a
million of men were put under bonds of Sc.
crecy and obedience, by which they were
10 be welded and controlled at the pleasure
of leaders as falible as themselves, aud tempt
ed by all the seduclions of ambition, passion
and interest 10 abuse~their power Is it not
evident that the morals of The country must
suffer grievously 10 the carrying out of such
a system and in the results which it produ.
ces! Take one feature. of lhe plan-that of
oaihs. do not stop TO Inquire whether such
obligations are criminal 10 poiGt of law, (aI-
though that question lies Within the field of
debate, but whether they aH not demoraliz.
ing An oath consists in the calling Of the
Supreme Being 10 witness The truth of an as.
serted fact, or the binding force of an assum.
ed obligation. II brings to bear upon human
action sanction the most Tremendous, con.
necIing itself with the hopes and fears of the
future and with the invoked presence OF The
Almighty. Not lightly or causelessly is this
high and solemn invocation 10 be made, and
perhaps the occasions when il is permissible
should be prescribed by the laws AT all
events its limit, in use, should be 10 cases Of
necessity and charity and thus its solemnily
and force be upheld and insured Oalhs are
degraded when they become common, and
OF one to whom they are habilual.
Now Americanism hasscatlered oahs broad
cast over the land, and those too neither of
necessity or benevolence, nor recognized by
constitution or statute, but in -derogation of
both. No one contends that they are bind.
ingin law, and Think il clear that they are no,
binding in morals. Bat i'll informed, and len-
der consciences are entrapped, and thousands
find their engagements impeng them in one
direction and their convictions of public duty
in another This struggle between duty and
conscience, however determined, is 10 the
abasement OF freenen and leaves behind il
the sling of self reproach. BY large masses
such obligations will be broken, as is proved
by what has taken place and is taking lace
around us. Some break away from them
with reluctance and doubts, while others
spun them with contempt. But 10 each class
they constitute an influence and recollec-
lion for evil, and the example presented to
the community will be misconceived 10 the
injury many. So true is this, that that man
would be a public benefaclor, who, with
abilities and leisure for the work, would ex-
plore fully this question of obligation in extra
judicial oaths and would plainly demonstrate
10 the popular, mind their fulilily and mmor.
al tendency. Many honest men would there.
by be relieved of harassing doubts, and the
casting off of felters forged by craft and folly
would appear to all, as it really is, work of
duty, virtue and patriotism.
Upon this point may dwell moment
Rosseau exclaims Chat TO keep criminal
oath is TO commit second crime," and
greater author has pronounced that ono one
can be compelled 10 do dishonorable ac.
tion even though bound by oath 10 its per.
formance." Dr.. Paley states the following
position that "as the obligation Of a prom.
ise depends on The circumstances under
which it was made, il cannot be enforced if
il was unlawful at the time in which il was
made, or if it has become SO since, or if il
was extorled: promises are not
binding where the performance is unlawful
there may be guilt in making
such promises, but there can be none in
breaking them: and moreover, if in the in
terval between The promise and its perform
ance, any illegally presents itself, the prom.
Use ough! 10 be broken :" 10 which he adds,