The daily union., 1856-12-27
For the Union.
DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE "vEILRD PROPHET" OF
THE HIGHER LAW AND AN EMINENT STUMP


Stump Pdrsoa Well my dearly beloved friend, the blind
and stubborn spirit of democracy has proved too strong
for US. We are badly beaten What shall we do next
dsband or rally again
Prophet. Rally again, by all
Stump Parson Under what banner, and with what
weapons
Prophet I'll tell you, my friend. We must adopt new
name and set of principles.
Stump Parsoa name and new principlesl I'm
possible. You have exhausted all and principles
already. don't mind changing the name, but my
science won't permit me to change my principles.
Prophet Pshawi What has conscience to do with prin
ciples
Stump Person I'll tell you what it has to do with prin-
cpes II it had been for certain honest wellmeaning
but simple and ignorant people, who governed by
scrupes Of conscience should have been able to
kick up such a dust have done.
Prophet Very well; that may be all But listen to
me- my friend Conscience is very good thing in its way
and often helps out at pinch; but it should never
stand the way of the performance of higher duty For
example, you and conscienousy believe that slavery is
the greatest curse that fell the heads of mankind
Stump Parson. Certainly, do; that is to say-you un-
derstand-hum
Prophet Very WELL then, not conscientiously
bound to all possible means to put it down ?
Sump Parson. All honest means certainly.
Prophet Pish All means are honest in good cause.
You parsons make very Indifferent politicians. You are
apt to stumble at straws but if you get fairly
mounted like the beggar in the old proverb you ride to
the devil.
Stump Parson Don't mention limits wicked out Of
the pulpit.
Prophe. Well, beg your pardon. But to the point.
Believing do Tor 1t is necessary to seem to do
that slavery the greatest that fell the heads
of mankind it follows OF course said before that all
other petty obligations such patriotism justice truth
and the like ordinary every day duties cha and
the abolition of slavery the only grain Of wheat in the
whole bushel We must therefore set the winnowing
chine to work. and blow away with all might without
caring what becomes of the cha provided preserve the
grain of wheat
Stump Parson, All understand. But ought not to
begin by demonstrating that slavery in reality the great
est curse that fall the heads of mankind Z We
should then have a clear field before
Propha Demonstration What is demonstration to q
dogma2 And what is argument but twisting a
rope for men hang themselves with The moment you
attempt maintain point by argument you virtually
knowledge it TO be doubtful No. no, my friend that Is
not my way. prefer naked, unsupported dogma TO
all the logic and rhetoric OF Aristotle and all his disciples
Stump Par,On All this understand, and have reduced
to practice In my sermons. Bat though may not have
resorted to argument always had the highest authority
TO sustain me- had the Bible the New Testament and
the apostles
Prophd The Bible Pooh the Bible is obsolete. You
might as well appeal the laws Of the Medes and Per
slams or the common law which is just what the judges
please to make Of it The Bible sanctions slavery and
slavery being the greatest that fell the heads
of mankind It follows OF course that must discard the
Bible or continue endure the greatest Of all possible
curses The Bible must go with the constitution
!S,,mp Parson What the commandments and all
Prophet Every skin Of them.
Stump Parson What and worship craven images
Propho Ayej most especially the golden calf
Stump Par'OH. And steal
Prophe To be sure most especially neighbors
slaves.
Stump PGr,on And commit adultery, covet other mems
wives and bear false witness against neghbor Are
not these hsinous sins
Prophet Comparatively 50 only comparatively so, my
friend They nothing to the greatest that
fell on the heads Of mankind and, all men sin
some way other in the choice Of sins conscientious
will take the lesser 1t S better to be without the ten com
mandments than that neghbors Of the South should
be saddled with the greatest that fell the
heads Of mankind II s for that reason have discard
ed the Bible and the constitution and substituted higher
law in their place You talk Of bearing false witness
against our neighbor Why, it is duty do when
higher duty presents itself II Is highest duty 10
free the southern slaves and II bearing false witness
against their masters viii help Il Is duty to invent
as many lies as possible
Stump Par,on All pious frauds. Now begin TO sec
how you reconced your oath to maintain and support
the constitution WIN your seRance 10 the higher
Prophet To be sure TO be sure easy as kiss your
hand You see, my riend, considered myself under
species Of moral duresse One Of the dst objects Of my life
(su became politician been the abolition Of slavery
and seat in Congress great step to its attain
ment Now to gain position necessary TO the per
ormanoe Of this great paramount duty that compact with
hell the constitution had made absolutely necessary 10
take tath to maintain It What could dol must
either f1rego station which enabled me to exercise
commanding influence Ia rdding my country Of the
greatest he eRkATKsT curseyou must always bear
h"' - 'ndl that fell the heads Of mankind or
pledge myself IN The sight Of Heaven TO support constu
ton which considered gross violation 9th law Of God
and the rights Of nature consulted my conscience, and
took the oath with mental reservation that would obey
the constitution whenever II aid not conflict with the higher
law. Was not rght1
Stump Par,on Beyond doubt see II nov, though, on
nv oon.eIence ps7s cssr wondered how you managed
to swallow II.
slavery is the greatest curse that fell on the hA~-
mankind and that therefore al necessary means 70 get
rid OF 1t are n" only lawful, but praseworthy let us
proceed to lay down the plan for the NEXT campaign,
Stump PGrson. beg pardon, but doubt strikes me-
We Of the North free from this II has not fallen
on our heads, or IL II did have shaken Il of We are
therefore not responsible for any further than having
supplied the South With slaves aud "a that was done By
our ancestors over whom we had no control, think we
may fairly wssh our hands Of the whole business
Prophd Ny good friend, your notions are contracted
into nutshell You know nothing Of the boundless n
limtable, indefnsble sphere Of moral responsibility,