Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-05-12

when the Dlofe gives aDy account, were
the great battles they fought, and the sig
nal victories they achieved. as captains Of
the armies Of the Israel. over their ene-
mics. and vet Paul, who exherted Chris
tians to cultivate peace with all men, COM
mends the example of those ancient wo
thies TO bis brethren as worthy OF their
init alton. Though man of peace Paul
evidently dHf not mean to teach non-resT
lance as 4 Christian duty under all circum-
stances Had we room we might refer to
many other incidents recorded IN the Bible
in support Of our position, but II rs unne-
cessary God has sometimes madc the
elements his avengmg ministers and some
times has employed men as his agents to
execute His judgments both upon individ-
nails and nations He might have destroy
ed slavery in this, country by sweeping the
man stealers and whippers off the
face Of the earth by hurricane. or by
| reigniDg down fire and birthstone on them,
but He choose other means and agents to
accomplish His purpose. The Elder, like
Balam, don't like to obey God In this IN
stance.
Is further proof wanted to show the mn
tenableness of the Elders position? We
think we have produced enough to satisfy
all reasonable men. He says: ~
"Your position makes you affirm that Christians
must hate, s,arve, imprison and kill all who will
not agree with them on the policy OF political gov
crnments as also 10 destroy their property. turn
their women and children out OF doors, without
shelter, food or raimrnt."
Our position does no such thing. We
believe in liberation in relation to politics
and religion, anil whoever does not is a
narrow minded bigot; but when the ones
ton presents Itself whether we mnSt kill
or be killed. starve or be starved, impris-
on or be imprisoned, we say we will de-
tfend our inalienable right TO ''life. liberty.
and the pursuit of happiness to the last.
And when the alternative presents itself
whether our property or that Of the rebels
shall be destroyed, whether eur women
anil children or theirs shall be TUNED out
of doors, without shelter, food or raiment,
we say let it be theirs. He who will not
provide for his own and especially those
of his own household. Paul says, is worse
than a infidel AMI has already denie.l the
faith. and the man who will not defend his
wife and children from rebel rapacity and
outrage is no better. The Elders position
makes him affirm that Christians must
suffer starvation, imprisonment and desth
and the overthrow of popular liberty rath-
err than fight ike Abram. Gideon. Barack,
Samson and Jepths did. 1t also makes
him affirm that Christians must love tine
wives aud children of rebels moro than
their own. Perhaps the Elder does, esPe
ciauy their wives, but we hope there are
not many more who entertain such IN
christian and unmanly sentiments. ,..
! We are now through with the Elder fol
the present. We hope to have. no further
provocation to notice him, but if we should
we have several rods in pickle yet for h i'm
} All we ask of him is not to try to stab his
country in this her hour of Trial. Thi. j;
no time to commence preaching non-re,is
lance. especially when the Government
needs the assistance. of every able bodied
citizen to preserve its life. If it is wrong
for Christians to go to. war it is. equal
wrong for o,bers.-the command is oblig
atory on all. We will all be judged undo
the same law. ..fl,.s 49,.