Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-05-19
THE REPUBLICAN
Letter from the 73d.
Fonr NEoLtY.
NASHVILLE Tenn Nav Qtb

Mr.. EDrroR:-I will again ask you to
indulge me for short time. while say
word in regard to Mr.. Corbaley's article
on Non-resistancs which appears in your
paper Of April 2Sth; not that 1 expect to
add anything new te the argument. but
simply to express an opinion. as, in all
probability. his arguments are destined for
the army and its friends. and 1t NAV af-
ford him some qualification to know how
we appreciate them. 1t appears to me
that it would have been more consistent
and more becoming patriot and lover OF
his country had he urged the necessity of
non.rcsistance as a Christian duty upon
the leaders of the Rebellion and their
friends at the north, before and at the
commencement of the war. Could he
have convinced Davis. Wigfall, Toombs,
and host of others when they were spout
ing their treason, both in and ont of Con-
gress, and heaping all their epithets and
execrations upon the Northern people and
Northern Institutions. that their fertile
minds could invent. he would have been q
public benefac.or. Why did he not at
tempt to convince them Of their great err
ror in making war upon the government
for the purpose of resisting the supposed
aggressions Of the North? Why does he
not yet hold this fact up to the deluded
people Of the North who through prejudice
or ignorance, or what is worse. dishones-
ty, have suffered their sympathies to be
carried away by the lovers of treason and
pl inder? II he could have convinced the
leaders OF their error at the commea cement
he might have averted the war; but he
might yet do some good by giving his aid
and influence to the government. thus help.
ing 10 unite the people in its defense. lie
undoubtedly desires that the right to wor-
ship God according to the dictates OF his
own conscience shall be secured for him
and transmitted to his posterity. and. if he
is so averse to carnal weapons there are
others at hand that can be used with equal
force. But perhaps his conscience forbids
him the use Of any that does not give aid
and encouragement to his new friends.-
But better use none. Elder. than to eucour
age others to destroy your own rights,
which you will certainly do if you can
convert the army and the people to your
new theory. The Elder cannot be blind
to the fact that every convert to this new
faith (if there should be any1 would in
equal proportion weaken the power Of the
government. and prolong the war. aud
give new impetus to the use Of those car
nal weapons that seem to be so great terror
to his concience. Neither can we consent
for moment that he can be blind to the
fact that we must dictate peace or they
will. We on our terms or they on theirs
Now, Elder c., which shall we have?-
We have no assurance that they desire 10
make peace on any terms except an uncon-
ditional recognition Of their independence.
If we are to have no farther resistance
and we must set about dividing and estab-
fishing the boundary Of the new govern.
mcnts. We must muster the Federal ar
my out of service aud send it home to be
tainted by the copperheads of the north
aud dsgraccd in the eyes Of the civilized
world. This is inst what Non resistance
means. Elder e. Can you make anything
else out of il?
But the Elder admits saying in his
. speech at Argos that according to past
! precedents the COVE nment had right 10
defend itself Whoever. before him. de-
niej the Justice Of these precedents. lie
f, farther admits that all persons in the gov
/, eminent owe allegiance to some power.
and that it is doubtless the duty Of all
} men in the government who have no as.
, pira,ions above human governments. and
who acknowledge no higher allegiance, Ia
' assist with either their persons or proper.
E ty. DC. Now. we would be pleased if the
I Elder would inform us what portion OF so.
4 ciety he intends to include in this class
= that have no aspirations above human gov
r ernments. Does be pretend to say that
9 all non professors are totally destitute ol
!. all aspirations OF sublime nature. though,
a Notwithstanding this. that they are the on.
i ly ones that can consistently. either with
!, their persons or property. aid in the de-
fence Of justice and truth? If this is the
k case the country may thank heaven that
$ those conscientious professors are SO
It scarce, to-day as they are. But. Elder c..
! we suppose you belong to the class that
owe allegiance and should pay tribute
l. Do you acknowledge allegiance to gov
. ernment that both your profession and con
science forbid you to defend? or does you'
9 allegiance amount to nothing but forced
:. Submission? If submission or non-resis
tsnce is to be the rule. why encourage 9th
K srs to prolong ths cause for resistence?-
81 Non-resistance to truth and justice i
what we have been fighting for all the
time, and If this doctrine was addressed tc
the rebel leaders end their friends at tn
sNortb (, xropld have hoon mora anoronyi