Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-05-24

Ma Eprroa An just authority of man
over man, and Of governments over nations rs
dc yod from God, and is binding only when |
,,...ed within Divine limitations If the |
Bible expresses Gods will, if its teachings are
addressed to every man as an individual, to be
understood and applied by him to the practical
duties of life, in determining what is right ana
what is wrong if the capacities with which
man is endo we'd were designed by his Creator
TO be employed in working out his destiny and
securing his highest good, and if the protestant
ripht of private judgment is not misunderstood
aud greatly misapplied; then, it is the right of
,,rv man to decide for himself whether Civ.
en- law comes to him with claims upon his obe-
dience, and he may determine to disobey it,
either because he regards it unconstitutional,
or unjust and wicked, always recognizing his
liability to its penalties. This rightis admitted
wi en- whole communities or nations rise and
rebel against unjust and oppressive exactions,
even though they are enforced by the solemn
eanctions of law.
Nations under these circumstances simply
exercise Il right of private judgment in deter
mining their course of action. If ten thousand
p men NAV, each for himself decide to disobey
law. and, acting in concert, defy its enforce
I prnt. then each, or any one single man, has the
same ri0bt In case of the nation, success
Is the noblest heroism, IN case Of the individual,
d,feat is treason. The consequences to a SIN
ole individual, Of thus acting alone, or IN con
j. junction with others present another question
which we do not propose now to discuss The
1
doctrine that all laws must be obeyed becaus'
they are law, permits the continued enforce
ment of all unconstitutional laws. 1t is th
e Lntv of our Courts to enforce all constitutions
Is ,ws. and to declare all unconstitutional stat
T. utes mil and void HO can they do this, un
. less sone man resists the law and makes a cas-
before the Courts
T The right to disobey an uncoustitutona
p law clearly does exist. Each man must Judg
II f,r himself and in such issue, If he is rlgh
te and succeeds u overthrowing the law, he aC
complishes a great good to his country, an
VI sets up a buwark Of defence against the usul
Mt nations of tyranny; fhe, wrong, or If, beln
10 riobt in fact las he may ue) the Courts decid
Of auainst him he of course, aud from necessity
accepts the penalties, and this contingency h
81 takes into thae ccount at the start
st An unjust and wicked law that clearly cor
lots with the law of God, must be dlsoOeyed
because obedience to it would be treason
it. our Creator, Preserver and Redeemer, who's
% claims are superior to any which man or hum
- governments can ughtlully institute. Ijiso6
Oh disnce to wicked laws are the consequent eAh
Mt. bition of their enormties, often constitute d
of important means OF securing their repeal, |
No. awakening the public mind to their true III
p ture and severe exactions 1t is said that 7
felt peal provides remedy and the only prop
RS remedy for all bad legislation
TO- Ii the doctrine everywhere prevails tha5
~ must obey law because it is found in the statu
'o'- books, who will agitate repeal, who dare d
My turb the foundations of society by weaken
29S the public regard for the sacredness of law
ove If man is a free agent, responsible to q
l. for his actions, and if government cannot
'S- sume, and by substitution answer for the 81
for of the individual, then each man must take t
nd responsibility and determine his own duty
.or. relation to the claims of human authority up
81. his obedience, submitting to the consequen,'
'N' Of HE decision. .