The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-06-23
For the Guardian.


Mr.. EDITOR:
We notice in the Civilian of June I'd,
an article on Higher Law, in which the
Editor takes positions which, to our mind,
seems strangely inconsistent, and we
think if Mr.. Hedges would weigh those
positions carefully, he will be compelled
to abandon one side or the other.
In the first place. he starts off with
this broad assertion Z" We do believe
that every man is bound, first and at all
events, to obey moral laws, constantly,
consistently and conscientiously, taking
the responsibility of keeping his con-
science enlightened, his judgment clear
and unruffled by passion or prejudice"
Now if we understand Mr.. HEDGES po-
sition, it is this There are certain NOR
al laws laid down for the government Of
man, which no time or circumstances
can alter that every man for himself is
morally bound to keep his conscience en-
lightened as to what those laws are, and
his judgment clear as to their applica-
ton, unruffled either by passion. preju
dice, fear or favor, and that he is bound
to obey those laws, first, constantly, and
at all events. Then he says We be-
lieve it is wrong to hold them meaning
the slaves in bondage" If it is wrong
there is moral law broken. Christ
sums up the law in two commands, the
second of which is, !" Thou shalt love
thy neighbor as thyself," and he teaches
us that our neighbors, those whom we
are bound to love, are the poor and op-
pressed among our fellowmen.
He also teaches us that that love con-
sists not simply in stagnant affection.
which will look upon their suferings and
"pass by on the other side." satisfied
that they are beyond our sphere of ac-
tion nor yet in the dead saying. '' Be
thou warmed and comforted," but in ac-
tive exerlion for the amelioration Of their
condition. If ever there was poor
sufferer who " went down from Jerusa-
lem to Jerico, and fell among thieves" it
is the slave and if ever the command
Go and do thou likewise" came to
mortal man in all its startling distinct
ness. it comes to US. who look upon those
sufferings and "pass by on the other
side" But. says the apologist. all this
is very fine. yet we have no right to in
terfere the slave is his masters prop
erty the laws of the state grant him the
right to hold him as such the state is
sovereign, and her laws in that respect
supreme hence we, who live in differ
ent state, cannot act the :" Good Samari-
tan" if we would. Every man is bound,
first. and at all events. to obey moral
laws. constantly, consistently, and con-
scientiously." Can he, first, constantly,
and at all events, obey moral law, while
thus neglecting its plainest dictates :?
Can he consistently keep the moral law
while thus substituting political law in
its stead. and allowing that to reign su-
preme Can he quiekan enlightened
conscience by thus palpably ignoring
what he believes to be his duty I? Whence
came the right OF the state to make such
laws, and whence their supremacy
| Certainly not from the moral law. Its
every principle is in direct antagonism
with the slave code. Has man right ii
this single instance to abrogate the mora
law by his political ? If so, he may dc
it in every case, and the moral law is nc
more binding than the wind that blows
The vagabond, to suit his idle disposi