The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-05-23

defender of Simon Cameron, and his con frsres,
what status can we assign him as Christian
minister? We leave the question to be answer
ed by those who love an honest and upright ad-
ministration of the Government.
| But, if Mr.. Barnes Interpretation of the
| Scriptural quotations made by him, were cor
rect, what would become Of human liberty, of
the Declaration of American Independence, yea,
of the very Administration which he so greatly
admires? According to his view of st. Paul's
doctrine on the subject of submission to ''the
powers that be-" the American Revolution was
an enormous and never to be expated sin, the
fathers of the Republic horde of rcbellious
traitors, and Mr.. Lincoln, who now sits in the
chair Of Washington, is representative of ORR
ginal treason who shall ''receive unto himself
damnation." If Mr.. Barnes is correct on this
subject, the serfs of Russia are doomed to sla-
very forever, and Ireland is bound to her English
oppressors with chains which the hand of man
dares not sunder But the intelligent reader
will at once perceive the loose generalization
with which my reverend friend tries to crown Mr.
Lincoln with divine right to rule the Ameri-
can people The Apostle does not mean to teach
| that we are bound to submit to rulers who gov
ern tyrannically or abuse their regal or official
powers and prerogatives. The exercise of the
right of revolution is not forbidden in any por-
tion of the Old or New Testament. On the
other hand according to the most learned COM
mentators, it is tacitly acknowledged, especially
| when the ruler violates compact entered into
by himself and his people. / can do no better
than to add, in conclusion, the remarks of DR..
Adam Clark, on Romans l3, II, quoted by Mr..
Barnes, hoping that if what have written may
prove of no benefit to the reader at least DIR.
Clark's clear elucidation of Mr.. Barnes quota
ton from Paul, will instruct the people that dcs-
potism finds no shield nor strong tower in the
revealed will of the Almighty.
From CIarks Commentaries, rol 4, p. $50.
"ln all nations of the earth, there is what
may be called constitution, plan by which a
particular state or country is governed; and this
constitution is less or more calculated to pro-
mote the interests of the community. The civil
governor, whether he be elective or hereditary,
agrees to govern according to that constitution
Thus, we may consider that there is u compact
and consent between the govcrnorand the gore,ned,
and in such case, the potentate may be consid-
cred as coming TO the supreme authority in the
direct way of Gods providence; and as civil
government is of God, who is the Fountain of
law, order and regularity; the civil governor,
who administers the laws of a state according
to the constitution, is the minister Of God.
Nothing can justify the opposition of the SUBJ
jects to the ruler, but Oret attempts, on his part,
to change tie constitution, to rule contrary to
the lars. When the ruler acts thus, he dissolves
the compact between him and his people; his
authority is no longer binding because illegal
because he is acting contrary to tile lars of that
constitution, according to which, on being rails
ed to the supreme power, he promised to govern.
This conduct justilies opposition to his govern
ment." SINCERITY |