The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1856-10-30

views IN relation 10 the proprlety OF doing so,
some having conscientious scruples against il,
and othars deemng il almost conscientious
duty 10 exercise that right. On ordinary oc-
casIons, no important consequences result
from these opposite views. Bnt al the present
time whatever conclusion Erie nds may res
pectively arrive at, the great issue now before
the couRtry gives 10 that conclusion a weight
aud Importance almost unparalleled.
The writer OF this article has very rarely,
perhaps not more than once or twice, given a
vote upon the election Of a president there
are doubtless MANY others similarly circum-
stanced. respectfully invite their attention 10
the following remarks
Were we the subjects OF dsspotic power
NJ responsibility would. perhaps. rest upon us
for the acts of the government, but bein :
members OF arepubie, cres ed, sustained and
administered, primarily, through the inStru
mentality of the ballot box it necessarily
follows that each of qualified by law TO
vote Is accountable either actively or comm
vinglv for every measure OF the administration.
however nefirious, unless we have To the ex
tent of our ability, resisted such enactments
by tie only effective means IN our power, n
recourse to the ballo; box. or By menorazns
the legislature.
|; is an established principle in iurispru-
.
at connivinslv, that is without an effort to
prevent Il. is accessory TO such felony and pun
ishabe as an accomplice in the crime. Tits
is sound principle. and if true in ethics and
politics. as in law, which il undoubtedly is
il surrounds the members of our Society with
responsibilities of which we cannot divest
ourselves by any argument or any mode OF
reasoning whatever. There is but one ex
pedent by which We can be relieved, and tha,
is 10 remove bevend the limits OF the govern
ment under which We live, we then cannot be
accountable for its acts.
But while ren8u citizens Of the United
ates the crlmnallty OF unr 5hteous legIsls :
ton must be shared by US in common with
other members Of the community; unless we
take the necessary measures to lustrate our
selves from the impufation just the member
OF legislative body IS morally accountable
for any iniquitous enactment with which he
silently acqulesces.
| am therefore drawn to the conclusion that
every one who does not exercise his right of
suffrage is incupated in the reprenensble
measures of the member elect from his district.
and also IN the official measures OF the nation
al administration; and when, on the pres
en- occasion, a great moral wrong is threatened
to be perpetraed, every one who neglects to
vote. adds one negatively to the strength of
that power which threatens 10 perpetrate the
wrong; and will therefore be implicated as
conniving at the commission of what may
9rove to be great national crime His with
canvass does not relieve him from his trust, Tor
BY SO doing he indirectly promotes the election
OF an Objectionable opposing candidate, and
when such member elect assists In the enact
ment Of iniquitouS laws, then the non voters
who voluntarily and connivingly permitted
his election, become accessories and coadIu
tors, not only in that unrlg ghteous legislation,
but also IN the Grim nahtv of its enforcement.
In the body polite As in religious society
there is a great difference in the religious and
moral per rspicacity OF different individuals,
arising in part from the Influences by which
they have been surrounded; and perhaps still
more, from different degrees Of fathfulness
to NANTES ed duty. Jesus testified; Among
them tha are born Of woman, there hath not
arisen greater than John the Baptist; not,
withslanding he that is the least in the hing
dom Of heayea is greater than he" Bal be-
cause John was less advanced than the least
in the kin iom o heaven. shall We therefore
make no distinction between him aud a Herodo .
Because We cannot have 8 nominee that comes
up to the full measures Of parfect Christian
shall it therefore bs a matter of indifference
which Of the subordinate degrees of charac
ter shall be selected, even If the public choice
sheuid descend 50 low as to rest upon a Nero
or 4 Ca!igula2 | believe tbs a momen.ou>
question a. th- present time and am soicisous
tha. tie members of our religious society
should endeavor % realize its importance.
I rad written thus far. before I had an op
portunity OF peru,ing the article OF our IS
teemed Friend DaNia Irish upon the same
subject. friend whose marks viii command
an attentive consideration wherever he i
known But after having duly wheiyhed ms
and other sentiments on the same side Of the
question, percei.e no reason to change my
views upon lie subject
The position | have assumed appears to be
unlisturbei that 50 long We remain cin-
zeEs OF this republican government, we can
n. divest ourselves Of the responsibilities by
which We are surrounded BY the force Of any
argument whatever The fact that we cannot
secure the election of chief magistrate who
has attained to the full perfection Of the Cnris
tan CHARACTER is not a sufficient reason why
W should noi promote the election OF another.
who approaches the nearest 10 such con
ditiou.
Carry out tie non voting doctrine to the
fun extent, and | think it must eventuate in
the conclusion thai If perfect Christian char
acters cannot be elected to administer the
various departments Of government, We will
have 10 governmental officers, and conse-
+, quently no government.
Intimations have been thrown out from a
certain quarter that the African slave trade
Will eventual Be thrown open again 70 The
commerce of this country. lie: US suppose
thai a. some future period the question should
have to be decided by the balios box, and that
the non-vo,ing doctrine should prevail to such
an extsnt as TO permit the election of officers
favorable TO that measure. lie; Us contem-
plale further as the result Of the ro-openIag
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