Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-08-01
Number 26.

and arbitrary governfaent submission would
be his duty in every Instance, except the
case stated. We may be mistaken in our
Judgment, and our scruples may be grounds
less; but conscience is our immediate rule OF
action, and no human authority can justify
10 violating its decisions, whatever may be
the consequences to us. In regard to that
obedience to human laws, and civil rulers.
which the scriptures enjoin, the subject is
not so to interpret inspired injunctlons to
obey. as TO limit them to such as he may
esteem erpedient and equitable. This would
constitute each individual law unto him
self. A man is most likely to pronounce
those laws unjust and grievous, which inter,
fere with his supposed personal interest. -
The principle would subvert all kinds of
government, both of the family and the State
Rut while involuntary submission is to be
given to a government, the form of which we
cannot approve; to all governments which
honestly aim at the ends of civil government
voluntary and cheerful subjection ought to
be yielded. There can be nc mistake made
in regard to the will of God upon the subject,
and consequently the duty of subjects. IT,
hts, 3: l.. Put them in mind to be sub
ieot to principalities and powers, to obey
magistrates, to be ready to every good work"
| Peter, 2: Is, IA. And no injunctions could
be more explicit than those of the text and
when they were given Nero was the Emperor
of Rome. And yet we cannot but under
stand the apostle as enjoining obedience IL
every thing not consisted with the higher
aw, the command of God. Ia such gov
ernment as ours, there can never exist a
iustifable cause of rebellion or reyolution.-
So long as the elective principles is main
tanned, and suffrage is free !; unless we sup
pose total corruption of the body polite,
every abuse in administration can be correc-
ted by reaceable and provided means. No
man, and no class of men can long suffer in
Justly. 1t is true, there are laws, and they
must be obeyed; but they are good and
wholesome or if there be any that bear
hardly and unjustly on any part of the conn
munity, the means are provided for their
speedy repeal. Where all power is in the
people, rebellion supposes the absurdity of
people rebelling against themselves! What
is the duty Of a minority in a democratic and
constitutional government Why; Submis-
sion, unless something is required in viola-
ton of conscience. All real hardships griev-
ances cannot but find remedy in the will
of the people, expressed in the appointed
way or otherwise our system of government
is failure, containing the elements of dee
struction within itself.
2. A second duty obligatory on christians
in reference to the government, is support.
As sivil government is ordained of God,
and actual rulers, however inducted as to
form, provided it be the regular and estab-
lished mode among people, receive the rat
fication of Gods providence, then we are
bound to support the government as Gods
ordinance Duty to God, binds US to the
support government which be in his provi-
denee has set over US. To with hold sup
port, apart from any positive act of treason,
is to all intents and purposes rebellion
against the ordinance of God.
Besides tie protection, support, and ser~
vice rendered to US, in maintaining our just
Liberties and privileges, the government be-
being the minister of God to US for Good -
bind us to the support Of it, as that which is
Justly due from every citizen to the govern.
ment under which he lives. On the princi~
pie of Uatue receiUcd, support is debt which
we owe to government. The only question
is, how to support the government? FIRST.
by furnishing the means of carrying on the
government. Government cannot be main
tanned without great expense; and to meet
this, the people are taxed. Regular and
established government produces immense
advantages TO the people, and therefore the
payment of taxes is necessary to strict hon.
esty. There is no debt which should be paid
with more eheerfulness, than the revenues TO
the government. We pay no money for
which we have more value received, unless
it be that which we pay to support the gos,
pei. What would our lives and property be
worth, if we had no established government
And how would the consciences of men be
bound to obey and support civil rulers. if
there were were no gospel. Apart from the
sanctions of christianity, support would oHly
be rendered to the government 80 tar as men
saw their present worldly interest connected
with it, and no farther. We have already
seen, that the int terest of trade, and in some
instances. ur2osed party advancement, have
led to the countenancing or revolution and
rebellion. Men who look no higher than
their own interests, and capablo only Of taxi
ing limited view of these cannot be de-
pended on in the day of their country's
trial
Secondly. 1t is the duty of every citizen to
defend the government This duty may be.
discharged either by aoords or deeds, or both.
So far as we can with good conscience, it
is becoming in us to speak in behalf of the
government. And especially when we are
satisfied in our hearts that the machinery
and policy of the government is right, we
should never fail to speak in its defense.--
But sometimes words are cheap things,
though not unimportant 1t may be our
duty to take up arms in defense of the gov
ernment. Though all war is to be deployed,
and we may be permitted to look forward
with hope to the time when God will make
wars to cease, yet it is sometimes inavoida-
BILE, unless we would see the government de-
stroyed, and wicked and rebellion triumph
ant. Perhaps the fewest numbers of the
wars of the Roman Empire were altogether
ustiicable, yet there were undoubtedly
many christians in the Roman armies. To
fight for the government may be as much q
duty as to prey for it; which is the third
duty which we now mention As binding on
christians in reference to the civil govern
msnt.
Continued on Second Rage,l