The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-07-03
pesuect The Laws.

Novc~ Pci H"P'' e'">0 WIZ 'oi "'sS''o"
;df Government has there occupied a
period in its history, when the advice
contained in the caption to this article
was more needed than at tho present
time. If any one doubts this let him
hook at the history ofthc past few weeks
as it may be found in the local newspa-
pcrs Of different sections. of the coun-
try. Theopposition to the Metropoli.:
tsm Police Bill BY the citizens Of New
York: the collision between the State
aud United States officers in Ohio, in
relation to arresting fugitive slave; the
numbering Of two men in Jackson Coun-
". Iowa. By a party sty ling themselves
avigilance Committee; the election riots
at Washington and the characterization
Nsnd contempt Of law prevailing in the
Territories Of Kansas and Utah. al
though considered separately or in at
sstract may no. give the loyerof law and
order much cause for alarm; Y hen view
cd Is the bases upon which to \ rest our
calculations Of the future, their impor-
lance becomes fearfully manifest. OH,
, The efficiency of our laws necessarily
depends upon the acquisence of the
masses. and not upon the police force
Of The, Federal OF, State iauthorities.--
The theory Of our insitusions is based
spon the hypothesis that where the peo-
pls have the making OF laws in their
own hands, by direct representation,
and consequently sure and speedy
means Of repeating oncrous and objec-
tionable measures, they will, from, an
instinct Of sclf-intcrest preserve the SUI
premacy Of the laws Of their. own ma
king. This theory has worked admir-
ably forseveuty years; and yet men arc
found in the pulpit on the rostrum. and
in the editorial corps, to practically con-
denim this theory by advocating the So
called ''higher law" doctrine.
Those 6re,ca.ers manage to lead as
tray many well meaning but unphiloso-
Phical men BY magnifying the impor-
,tancc Of particular facts. This method
OF discussing political matters is not of
M dern origin in any means, 10 Mounte-
banks have hoodwinked the people for
centuries, by interesting their sympa-
thics in particular jacis.. to, such a de-
gree as to make them wiling. for avtime
satslcsst. to shut theireyes tothe impor-
lance of the principles they were sacri-
6cing. 2@a4 '@7 E''5'a - -
The doctrine Of sach men who set up
their own judgments and the prompt.
ings Of what they lltheir conscience,
10 superior to the laws of the country,
enacted by the constitutional authority,
and in the way the Constitution ple-
acrlbes, is having its effect in various
parts Of the land. in inducing persons
TO resist the operations of the estab-
lished law. What Congress DEGREES to
be the supreme law, and what the Chief
Judiciary Of the laasddeeides to be Con-
s.itutional the Federal Executive is
bound BY his oath Of Office to see cxecu-
ted, 1.-The did not do so. he would prove
false to the obligations of his Office, and
to the majority Of the citizens of the ma
ton who. placed hin, at the head of the
Government. Hence. n,all these tenn
4porary excitements, it is folly to sup
pose that the General Government will
permit the action Of the laws to be in
terrupted by the interference of indivi-
duals, or even that of States. Preach
as much against the policy of a law as
You please, and exhaust the power OF
argument in the endeayorto get major
ity Of the people to repeal it. but yo,,
can'tpreach resistance to the operation
of established laws without urging in
asurrcction, and involving the excitable
and ignorant in the penalties Of that
crimc.-Dunl;e'b .A1r. he va II .s IN