The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1863-07-23

likhN VI lONOAubiNh DOLIIN
circumstances is generally acknowl-
edged by writers on moral Science
But the objections to it are numerous
Upon this point Wayland says "Re-
sistance to civil authority by a single
individual, would be absurd Among
the objections to this course even by a
greater number he mentions the fol
lowing;
l. "It is at best uncertain 1t de-
pends mainly upon the question, which
party is, under the present circum-
stances the stronger. And the history
Of the world shows that the oppressor
is as likely to be the stronger, as the
oppressed,
I'd 1t destroys the social fabric, and
thus there is lost whatever is thus far
gained in the way Of social organiza-
ton. While in most forms Of govern
ment, there exists something worthy
representation
I'd. The cause of all oppression is
the wickedness of men. But civil war
is most demoralizing. 1t renders men
more wicked Can it be hoped that
men more wicked than before, can Gre
ate better government than that
which was intolerable when they were
less wicked?
4th. ''Cival war is of all evils the
most horrible. 1t dissolves social and
domestic ties, overturns all the securi-
ty Of property, throws back for ages all
social improvement, and accustoms
men to view, even with pleasure, all
that is most revolving. Napoleon,
though accustomed to bloodshed, turn
ed away with horror from the contem-
plation Of civil war"
Notwithstanding these objections, it
seems TO me, people would be iustiti-
able in resisting an oppressive and
grinding despotism under the following
circumstances; Q) Where all consti-
tutional means ofrelorm had heen used
in vain. (2) Where the evils of rcvo-
luton would be less than those of the
abuse of civil authority. ca Where
there is such n number Of aggricved
people that there is a reasonable hope
of success. Such an instance we have
in the revolution of the American col
onies against the aggressions Of Great
Britain. Tis evident however, that
such instances are rare.
The third course is in the vast ma
.ority of cases to be preferred that of
patiently suffering the penalty Of non
compliance with an unrighteous de-
mand Of the civil authorities.
Scripture furnishes us with instances
of this course. The three Hebrew
children refused TO obey Il law which
required of them the commission of
idolatry. So Daniel would not cease
prayer to the God Of his Fathers,
though he should be cast into the den
of lions.
When the apostles We're required to
preach no more in the name of Jesus,
they answered, ave ought to obey God
rather than men"
Now, what application of these prin-
ciples may be made to our present
circumstances us a nation?
What these circumstances are, all
very well know in single word, the
government has been resisted for the
two years last past, by organized and
armed forces; and we, the citizens, are
| called upon by the "powcrs that be -
the civil authorities, regularly and con-
stitutionally appointed, to assist in
quelling rebellion, or in other words,
in executing the laws of the land
What shall we do? Shall we obey
render all assistance in our power? ?
Shall we resist? or shall we refuse to
obey; sit down idly, and suffer the
insurgents to have their own way?
lfit can be shown that this call of
the government is II violation Of the
Constitution under which the rulers
exercise authority, and ifit is true that
this rebellion can he justified accord
ing to the rules ! have given, viz If
every constitutional means Of redress
has been used in vain; if the evils Of
rebellion are seen to be less than those
now suffered and if the number Of
the agglieved is such rs to make revo-
luton successful, then according to
the principles have laid down in the
former part of this discourse, we would
be justified in resisting. Or, if it is
certain that to assist the government Is
an unrighteous thing. Observe, | say
certain that obedience is unrighteous-
ness-Qor It's not enough that we think
it is 50, or suppose it is SOFT must be
a clear violation Of the Constitution, or
of the moral laws of God. 'Tis not
enough that we judge it unwise, or
ineXpedient to obey. Our feelings and
convictions are not the standards of
right and wrong in such cases lfthcy
were, then since men think differently,
and judge differently, every man may
do as he pleases, and require Of every
other that he doas he desires him to do.
And if obedience can only be rendered
by the commission of sin, as Daniel
would have done in ceasing to pray, or
Peter and John in ceasing to preach,
then may we withhold sympathy and
support from the government and suf-
fer the consequences.
But can the above case ever be made
out in favor of this rebellion? l an
swer No. / shall show that Secession
is constitutionally and morally wrong,
1t is constitutionally wrong-a vio-
lation Of that instrument. That instru-
ment makes no provision for the seces-