The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-01-15
] Sfl1GaRR 1Aw.

Is Hon. JoHN p. HALE, Senator from New Hemp.
shire, Black Republican, aud an einbodimoht
OF the political heresies, common to SEWARD and
GREELY. in a recent speech in Congress in reply
to some structures made by Gen. Cass upon the
Higher Law doctrine, Proclaims his faith in that
most dangerous of political absurdities as will
be seen by tho subjoined extract We regard
this Higher Law notion one of the blackcs. po-
ltical hereses that ever fuddled the brain of man.
1t Is true, as ethical proposition that there is
divine law, the law of God, which should be
binding upon us, and to which we owe higher
obligation than TO human laws. But in a politi.
cal point of view, we can see nothing in the as
sertion Of principle which gives to individual
conviction. supremacy over law, that is not ut
terly subversive Of every rule or compact which
the wisdom ofageshas devised for the gov ernment
Of society. The doctrine that every citizen hos
the right to obey or transgrcss the laws of his
country, according as he may conceive them to
be right or wrong, is a political monstrosity too
absurd to contemplate. Can the conviction that
law is wrong, be pleaded in justification of Of
fences against iti Such plea would deny the
necessity Of human law, and leave men free to
act according to their own notions of right and
wrong.
If wo, as citizens Of political community,
conceive a law to be wrong, it is certainly our
privilege and duty to Use our talent and influence
in proper way to bring about repeal of such
law, and it may be to become martyr in our
cause, but we can in no wise, except upon tho
inherent right Of revolution, become law break.
er, q rebel against the laws whicl, protect our
lives and property.
This startling doctrine, that religious bigotry
or superstition may supplant the Constitution
and laws of the country, is of Northern origin,
and is fraught with consequences fatal to poiti-
cal aud OWL liberty. But to the extract:
"Onc remark came from the honorable Semi
tor which ! am very sorry to hear from him, aud
that was his fling at the higher law. What does
the Senator meant lie believes there is a Su.
preme Power. lie believes there ure obligations
resting OH the hearts and conscienccs Of men
which relate to tie Supreme Governor of the
Universe. lie does not believe that the Cons,i-
tuition Of the United States can set aside in the
forum of mans conscience his deep religious
conviction. ! know he does not Sir, saw
posted up over one of the places where the sue
cessful par In tho lato Presidential campaign
were accustomed 10 assemble, motto which was
certainly cpgrammatic i'll its terms, I think
good taste of the whole country. 1t was said
Il do not know with what truth) to have origin
utcd with MIR. Buchanan himself It wus, - the
Constitution for earth the Bible for heaven"
more skeptical and n more gross sentiment
never was uttered in n christian country, init.
mating That the Constitution has light enough to
guide lis here, and that when we come to deaths
gates it will be very well to take Bible with us
OH our passage to another world.
"Now, sir, wish to vindicate this doctrine. I
do believe in II higher law, aud believe thero
is no earthly Government which has right TO
put its sanctions ns foremost and before the obl-
cations of this higher law. Sir, the history Of
civilization and of christianity ever since it was
iiio the world has been illustrated
with tho glorious deaths of men who have be-
lieved in higher law; and when the obligations
OF the law OF the land have come in coflict will,
the settled convictions of their own understand
ings rs to what the higher law OF God taught,
they have tranpled the law of the land under
foot, and have said they would bear allegiance
10 that higher law, let it lead to the scufroli or
the stake. God be praised, sir, that the history
of the world and OF humanity has been 50 illus
trated and so elevated; aud cd save this land of
ouIs from that der!, Of degradation tn .pl,i.i We
must sink, when it becomes fashionable in the
men who occupy the high places Of the nation to
ridicule the idea that there is higher law, more
binding upon the consciences Of men than the
resolutions of a caucus. or, it may be, the pro-
visions of an act'of the Federal Legs!uture
am sorry to hear it."