The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-02-22

I
laou of which his vengeance is invoked will tell the
TRUTH the whole TRUTH and nothing but the truth or
will perform what have promised, $50 help Godr Il
does invoke the Divine aid enable the deponen
keep bis OATH but its vengeance should he violate his obi
cations Ii is of the great safeguards Of life liberty,
and property and wherever il is disregarded consu-
tona provisions security courts of justice refugees
and common testimony mockery.
Whenever therefore, perjury becomes common crime
among people, tits The strongest evidence of their corrup
ton and debasement 1t equally proof that they defy
both God and man But should 1t ever pass that
ouy the people but their rulers their judges and their
aw-givers who as in the United States obliged 10
make oath maintain and support the constitution be-
fore entering on the exercise of their nctons only
openly violate but invite others violate the obligations
they have incurred by this solemn appeal the God of
Truth-shoud such state of things to pass in
any country might not have to fear that the
wrath Of Heaven upon It's head and its fate that of
speedy, inevitable destruction
Is it not greatly to be feared that such crisis Is rapidly
approaching in the United States Do judges
acting in direct violation Of their oahs administer faith
fully the laws State legislators openly deriding them
and acting in papabe opposition TO their behests and
senaorsaye of the United States the peculiar
maintain and support that instrument is yet reeking
their lips, defyng its authority, clanoring for its down.
fall and using every effort to render it odious to Che peo
pie?
II this is not exhibiting entire disregardnay
plee abnegaton of the obligations of oathwe know
not what extreme justify the charge The consttu-
ton is written document whose provisions every of
common can understand Legislators have differed
and will continue to differ in the construction Of two
three phrases of that instrument and may do without
violating their oaths but it reserved for the advent
of the prophet of the higher law and his disciples discard
the constitution altogether and to substituted higher ob
cation, governing them in the discharge of their public
duties in It's place They do not merely differ in the in
depreciation Of few phrases but condeHn the cousu-
ton by Wholesale and do scuple to violate it when
1t stands in the way of one of their dogmas.
In the ordinary affairs of life such gross and papable
violations of oath woud be called perjury and private
citizens prosecuted and found guilty. severely punished
When makes oath to govern himself by certain
rules be is not to be their sole interpreter He is not
evadc his obligations pretending be did not understand
them other do. Nor is be authorized to put his
construction the intent aad meaning of his oath
If such the case every scoundre hypocrte swind
Ter, might evade his obligations violate his contracts
with impunity Mental reservations out of date and
it not what thinks but what he says that binds
him 10 his intercourse with his fallowcreatures Hypoc-
rtsy Is warrant for cheating, pous frauds any
where recognised except by hgheraw legislators judges
lin higher-law courts and political parsons.
When the constitution laid before the people of the
separate states Tor approval it with great opposition
10 quarters principally the ground that 1t confer
red much power the federal government and
cd too little the States These objections great
obvated by subsequent amendments most espe
ciay that which the reserved rights Of the States
and for than fifty years this constitution has been re-
Yered to Holy Writ the ark Of the covenant on
which the safety happiness and prosperity OF the Union in
great measure, If altogether depended. Doubtless
there those who thought the general government
qured strengthening, while Others believed il already
strong but there heard voice or whisper de-
BoupcGg Whole until the advent of abolition That
constitution denounced because il was not an anti
anti-slavery Bible and the Lord of Hosts abured
because lie an auti-slavery Cod,
Men holding and propagRug these doctrines have, by
corrupt coalitions and bargainings, and by resorng to
every species Of depeAbe hypoersy and intrigue succeed
bear the legislation of the county There they sit and
aner kissing the Bible and appealing Heaven 10 solemn
mockory exercise their functions under constitution they
aud their followers every day perpeuay laboring
to undermine and finally overthrow Yet when Il suits
their purposes find them appealing TO that very cous
tuition they hare often rePudated The graVest senator
must have smiled such phenomenon IL certainly was
capital subject for of Mr. bales best jokes which re-
mind us Of dull razor without edge point
II seems rather strange sight TO certain senator's
and members Of the House Of Representatives legsating
under constitution whose authority they virtually disa-
VOW One might soon expect to Christian divine
administering at Pagan altar priest Of Jupiter Offer
ing up incense the shrine Of jehovah Either these de-
Of the higher law recognise the constitution Of the
United States the supreme law Of The land or they do
not II the former they belyng their uniform decla
raousi IL the latter they violating their oshs sup
have placed themselves in predicsment from whc
nothing rxtrcste mem bht retiring from position
which involves them In such bareced 10
say more.
Wesr aware that mankind are extremely dexterous in
accommodating their conscsnoes 10 their interests or con-
venence. Conscience is either hard msstor or most
obedisnt servant II either accommodates itself with won
derfu facility The eKgeuces Of the case 10y being per-
fcy Neutral until the crisis is over or BY declining 10 In
erere until after the feat is accomplished and Il Is too
late To apply the antdote What may be termed political
conscience Is, however, the accommodating Of all
4 tsF. l. IT,