The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-10-15
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE NoNPARElL
Ma. EDIToR-In my last article, mention
was made of law emanating from God, as
prima origo legis, which, although generally

/ prlmd oFtyo tfyS, WHICH, "i'noush soheia any
conceded, does not receive that Difference
due to it, and to that class who credit its
general influence, but reject its merited
respect in civil institutions, dcemins it only
the ft subject of theory, but not OF practice
I and that the existence of a government
purely moral, mistaken idea, "a practical
impossibility," rejecting the idea of render
ing jus gentiun, subservient to lee Del
using in its stead, that miserable substitute
'.Reason," guided by its fragile companion
! the wisdom Of man, do address myself at
present.
There is, perhaps, no better illustration
of the utter incompetency of this erroneous
system to maintain peace and establish
harm ony throughout any country, than that
afforded US by France during the revolution
| in 1889, which was not a revolution merely
in politics and government, but in religion,
in manners, in priciple, and IN the common
| feelings of human nature. Nor was it a
revolution Of sudden impulse, but on the
CONTRARY, of long and premcditated pre-
| paration, and arose from the influence OF
the writings Of Votaire, MIrabeau, Rous-
seau, and others of Ike stamp-together
with that which every Reformer deems
| essential for reformation--s0me useful dis
cussions on the subject of civil and religious
liberty in which they endeavor 20 dIssenin-
ate principles subversive both of nature
and revealed religion. the verify, that law
emanated from God, was not only impugned
but the very idea of religion was set aside
the Deity was banished from the universe,
and an imaginary phantom under the
appellation of the :'Goddess Of Reason -
was instituted in his place; every previous
standard of morals was rejected, every
person was left to act in accordance with
the dictates Of sclfshncss, avarice, and
amin osty, although "justice and morality"
were proclaimed the order CT the day, yet,
every moral principle sure to influence any
individual, was trampIe1 under foot, as fit
only to associate WITH the dust of the earth
Thus, was the way s!ocIy but surely pre-
pairing for revolution the more terrible
than earth ever witnessed, rs if to give this
matter fair test. Il was in the midst, and
under the influence Of this moral revolution
when the principles Of France had become
corrupt to the rery core, when the great
body of the French ipGdels, who, at that
crisis ruled the nation, publicly advocated
their monstrous doctrine, striving, We're il
possible, to shut cut and annlhnate every
spark Of religion from the land; that tht
civil revolution began, in order, to conform
municipal law with their religious belief
because all law derives its purity from the
morality of the ody-politic. The scenes OF
inhumaaity, coI1-h!ooded ambiguity, ant
daring impie,y which followed, are too re.
voting to be presented TO the world, outside
of history, where they Will remain through
time, monuments of human wickedness ant
folly, and reminder Of the dismal effect:
which flow from the attempt to banni,f
religion from science, from government an,
from society.
Those whs yindicate that justice cnn Ut
maintained without the influence Of religion
would do well to remember that, in Frunce
during the above mentioned period, not
with,tanding TIE iucss>ant shouts Of
"I.lbcrty and Equality" uuI the boast:n.,
of their pure philosophical government
thousands were butchcred whenever found -
hunted like wild brasts--og cast into thu
deyouring Aames-oftcn without So muci
as an accusation. or Il trial, but merely upor
the suppo>it,on that their views differed
from the system adopted by the State
Other, too, simply because they were guilty
of the crime Of being rich, "werc dragged
to the guil:otinc,' where thy suffered The
common lot of all indicators. Yet, this l.
justice! This is the golden policy which W,
are to regulate our legislation, and estab
lsh tranquility throughout the land. |
mast be justice, because the chief end OF
law is the dispansation Of JUSTICE, and
whatever deeds are executed undor the law
are supposed to be in unison with the belief
Of the proper method Legally to establish
them. Hence, if the dictates Of " Reason ,
alone are to be the guide, then, as a matter
of course, the results flowing from tht
compliance with those dIctutions. must of {
consequence, meet with the APPRECIATION oil
the public mind, else the system is defective
Now if the results flowing from the Rcvo!u
ton in France in l7S9, were If thcmseIve:
lust, and achey ed the peace Of the country
then were the means of accomplishing these
results both Just ard right. But were VT
not satisfied with the results, how can We bt
with the system producing them. This is t
common. sense question, and It IS difficult t
see, how any one need give this mAtte
convinced, that, ut the rejection Of mora
principle, we endanger the peace and pros
pcrity OF our government. If illustration
ho nil that We need, let tie lesson whicl
France teaches is, be Of ample force t.
prevent our making practical demonstra
ton of it. Let not bigotrv hoouw,nk th
understanding feed it with the running
. of erysipelous fancv,-and fun it with tn
retinue of Satanic minious, til rationale
were wrecked upon the breakers Of 4 corrup
policy!
Now, if the founders of this govcrnm en-
, had it for their motive " to form a NOR
perfect Union-establish Justice. cnsur
domestic Tranquility, and secure the bless
ings of Liberty to ourselves and our Pos
teritv." Can any one conceive that the
would adopt any form Of government
except that which they deemed p0ssesse
with the necessary qualifications requisite t
achieve the end in view. Or, that they wcr
Ignorant of the nature Of free representative
power-wnich accusation we have hear