The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-10
For The Union.
A CASE OF CONSCIENCE

Suppose conscientiousy opposed to any species
of force and violence offensive defensive and has not
only made up his mind on the subject but publicly de-
cared himself disciple of the doctrine Of passive ODE
dience and non-resstance what is the plain obvious and
imperative duty Of such man? Is 1t not studously
avoid, either by word action all occasions that may
lead to contention and abstain from provoking others to
retaliation by force or vioence2
This take it, is the true point of conscience this the
pure Christian morality. 1t is not enough that a
seeks TO evade all responsibility for the grosscs Insults
the provoking sarcasms sahderous mpuaions and
malignant innuendoes equally injurious to the character
outrageous 10 the feelings of another by announcing be-
forehand that he has scrupes Of conscience which forbid
his either atoning for the offence in the mode usually
sorted to by gentlemen such occasions Offering
other species Of PREPARATION. Neither In Of
science court Of law such outrsges be justified
by refusing either apology or atonement and sneakng
der the communion table 10 escape the consequences
II will be said that the law is the PROPER tribunal Of APP
peal such occasons and may be where can take
cognizance Of the offence by nficng penal punishment
pecunay damages But there thousands of offences
Of the most aggravang kind which the law has no
jurisdiction and where there is redress except by ap
peang TO the personal responsibility Of The offender In
such cases it is impossible TO mete damages by the
standard of dollars and cents for jury decide the
amount of pecunary loss has sustained by having
his feelings outraged either by direct charges nsdious
milton Of SANDER or libel, but perhaps injurious
least irritating than either Here the law affords no
redress and hence every civilized community except
where the doctrine Of passive obedience and
prevails has been found necessary to the restraint Of
gnnn passions malignant tongues and the peace and de-
Of society," 10 recognise other tribunal take
oognEance Of those wrongs and outrages which far
injurious to the general happiness than occasional
breaches Of the peace which produce in instances
az inHi Ia
wounds in the hearts Of thousands That tribunal is the
personal responsibility Of the offender and law law
II will be resorted to by having the spirit to resent
insult wrong for which there 10 other mode Of
redress
This personal responsibty-by which I mean the
responsibility Of the body and not Of the pursethough
not sanctioned by any law but that Of Nature Is unques
onaby Of the great eonservaors of the peace and de-
corums OF society 1t Ia this and the written law which
most efectually restraints the unbrided tongue the cen
tious PEN the malignant and dastad assassin of private
character who long he keeps clear of direct VIOLA
ton Of the law may launch his fcahery shafts tipped
with poison into the very hearts Of his victims evadng
all responsibility by pleading scrupes Of conscience and
protesting the doctrine Of passive obedience and nonre-
sstanee
All this numerous class Of offences ARE as direct vio.-
tons of the Divine command breaches Of the peace are
of the laws of One laceracs the heart the other
only breaks the head nhicts wounds no medicine
en- cure the effects Of the other but temporary one
frequently destroys the happiness OF individuals md fam
lies the other for moment disurbs tho peace OF the
Yet place the perpcrator OF the former
above all responsibility except TO the law that holds no
cognzance Of large portion Of those offences which
tribute greatly TO the Of human misery, and you
give almost unbounded license the meancs most mair
passions Of tho human heart There Is then no other
restraint but conscience which, though the best Of all
monitors 10 but too often the shield OF hypocrisy and
cownrdce In the language OF the great poet Conscience
doth make towards Of US ALL not much by deterrng
from the commission Of wrong in shrinking from its
consequences Let me cite In illustration of my
previous remarks
Suppose should say to another and In the pres
ence Of Others aThr State OF which you native and
in the great council of tho nation is
worthy OF association with the members Of this coned
Grafton and you yourself Tor your father other
near relauye) exactly fitted to represent such con-
stueney or words TO that effect and suppose he should
add by way Of salvo for this compliment aBut ron must
not take offence at this You know privileged by the
from all biiiy for what say and
you know, also, that II you get into passion and
csl me to reckoning II win be Of no use for though
have no scruplcs in giving offence, my conscience
will not allow me to make any stoncment In short |
am a non.combatnnt, and il would be sheer coward
&c TO commit violence against whose conscience
will not permit him TO defend himself" There Is moth
ng actionable in these woodworking Of which the