The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-08-10

nullify the supreme law Of the land, and re-
nounce allegiance TO the constitution, is entire
~ consistent with the efforts which the party 10
which those traitors belong have been making
for several years, through the press, the ros-
trum, and the pulpit, TO weaken the public
faith in the majesty Of the law and the duty Of
obedience to its mandates, and to disseminate
the belief that wherever any provision Of an
act of congress does not suit our fancy, or
clashes with our individual prejudices, we have
not only the right, but are bound by impera-
tive duty to resist its execution. To compass
their base partisan ends. the black republicans
have ceaselessly striven to educate the public
mind so that II shall deny submission to the
constitution as the charter of our liberties, and
without any qualms of conscience repudiate
the idea that the supreme law Of the land is
superior to the "higber law" which is the
creature Of passion, prejudice, Or base self
interest.
1t is the prominent idea Of those who sym
pathise with the nullifers Of the New Hamp-
shire legislature that whoever considers him
self oppressed by the operation Of any law
which he has sworn to respect and obey may,
whenever it pleases him. relieve himself from
the obligation Of obedience, without ncuring
the penalties attached torebellion, BY announc-
ing that his conscience" tells him that lie
ought not to comply with its provisions. 1t is
vain to tell the men who preach and practise
this doctrine that it is subyersive Of every prn-
ciple Of order and good government; that the
protection which they enjoy in their persons,
Liberties and property is the result of the legal
restraints which they are seeking to annuI and
thatin return for that protection they are bound
TO render obedience to the authorities who af-
ford it. They do not heed this reasoning be-
cause were they to do 50 they would lay down
the chief instruments on which they now rely
to diffuse the abolition sentiment and dissolve
the union Of the States.
tits the acme Of absurdity, not to speak Of
its guilt, to urge the right Of revolution as an
excuse for disobedience to law Nobody de-
MES the right Of revolution in the last resort to
get rid Of tyranny: but in a political system
like that which every American citizen enjoys:
whose value and benefcent operation have been
proved by its results-and for the amendment
Of which such ample provisions have been
made, it is madness or blacklist treason even
to hint at the exercise Of such right. The
man who commits murder may disapprove Of
the law which declares it capital crime, and
may urge in his defence the right Of reyolu-
ton, and the promptings Of the "higher law
Of conscience; but society demands that lie
shall be punished and listens not to the fanci-
ful theories which he urges in his justification.
The man who steals another's property may
fancy that the right Of revolution justified him
in relieving his poverty BY appropriating the
property Of his neighbor; but the vulgar SEN
tence contained in the popular distieh-
He who takes what isn't his'n,
j. taken up and sent to prison.
is ruthessly enforced against him, no matter
how sincerely he may think that his neigh
boris purse needed depletion and his own pow
erty needed relief. The same rule applies to
those who preach and practise treason.
To prevent the lapse Of society into utter
anarchy, by the admission Of the right Of in
dividuals or communities to plead the right Of
revolution in defence Of what they may choose
10 do, it is essential that the law which society
has established for its government should be
yindieated, and that notification in every
shape whether Of the fugitive slave law or Of
the law forbiddng the importation Of slaves
should be promptly and severely opposed to the
operation of both these laws. A conscientious
objection to an existing enactment, on moral Or
political grounds, is not in Itself inconsistent
with good citizenship. citizen Of the State
Of New Hampshire may di8approve Of the fu-
gitive slave law, and may seek to have it re-
peeled; and a citizen Of Louisiana may proper
y agltate for the abrogaton Of the laws which
prohibit the importation Of African negroes;
but, when they refuse obedience to these laws
while they exist in fall force on the statute
book Of the United States, they become guilty
Of treason-thc highest crime Of which citi-
zen can be guilty.
The Union is made up Of 4 number Of SOW
ercign States of equal political status, which,
in order to derive the blessings and power
which result from their confederation, several
y agreed to make concessions, and entered
into compact, 10 which they are bound BY ey-
cry principle Of good faith, honor. and com
mon honesty, to adhere faithfully. 70 sup
port this compact called the constitution Of the
United States, the governors, legislators, and
authorities of the several States have soemnly
pledged themselves by their oath Of office; and
every citizen who receives The protection Of the
ederal government, and the benefits which it I
;onfcrs on all, is as much bound to comply
With its requirements, and admit the binding
orcc Of the supreme law OF the land, as he
5 bound to pay his pecuniary debts OF keep
lis pledged word.
It's fortunate that the number Of those who
ire declaiming against the laws, and instiga-
mr. H., J;e,L,r, 49,,