New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-26
The Righ, Of Revelation BY Force.

The Right Of Revelation BY Force
To ne Editor Of The N Y Tyi5nae
SIR: Believing conscientously that the so-called
doctrine Of the Right Of Revolution lies the minds
Of many if not Of very large majority of the Americas
peope is political heresy fatal than that Of the So
called Right Of Secession" avail myself Of the occasoa
Won so kindly offer me- your OF the sth inst to say
few words further upon subject and will endeavor to Do
so in the order indicated by you In remarkng upon pev
GUS communication of the writer you say'
r correspondent oms whether he does or dos
not accent the Of jefferson. adopted by the Cont
mental Congress- aud made the oasIs oil our pool SYSTEM
D do Ii he does viii thank him 70 show wherein W.
have msspped e. If be does not he will obge u bJ shsv
ing wherein it is erroneous
In order that may be clearly before u.s. copy shs
doctrine referred to:
we hold these truths TO be seleydent that all men are
created equal that they are their Creator vita
naenable rights that among these are me- noeiT
governments instituted men, deriving the Jdss
powers the consent of the goyerned that whensee'e
anv government becomes destructive OF these ens
right the people to alter or abolish H. ana 10 nus
government laying its foundation on such psiIes
and OrSnnzng powers in such form to them sba seem
most likely effect their safety ana happiness
In the sense that believe Jefferson intended these passsgss
to be understood, in with the Editor OF fHs
TRIBUNE believe them; but believe that there Is grave aud
popular misunderstanding Of them and therefore ask oars
fu attention to them
Iquote again: we bold these truths be sefeydent hsa
all men created equal that they are endowed py I
life. liberty and the pursuit Of happiness.
What is the general these rights Are they not -
here put FORTH political rights mereiysuch as Government
nav Justly take of Did Jefferson to assert "a an
absolute fact that God created equathat they <s
BY nature equali Mauifesly not. He merely meant %
assert the civil political equality Of men, general rns
under Just forms OF government They were principles
civil government that he asserting not principles
violence and revolution by force 1t is true matter
fact without principles Of government tna any
man has an naenabe right life liberty and the pursuit OF
happinessf Maniesty not since God deprive him OF Al
That every man rights qualified sense as fund
mental principles of just government Is admitted ana IN"
what Jefferson meant when he used the language quoted
Aghn he saws that these rights governments are
instituted deriving their Just ron '1' o'"
Of the governed"
not the natural ri Of man his civil sod
political gh.-those that within the scope Of and are
to be affected By government Under just goversmsas
therefore only be exercised as are oonsna
to BY the governed Consented TO- howl by written laws
constitutions by such customs may exist IN harmony
with them Is secession revolution provided for IN our
Constitution laws they warranted by any re'erTs
ons in harmony with them If not then heysrs
forbidden By the very language have quoted Instead Of
being warrant revolutionary principles as many hold
these well known passages they intended to ssse
their limitation. and revolution are neither pfino
pies nor powers they are destructive Oh Doth
Fourth OF Juys 10 the contrary Notwithstanding Our Govern
ment was intended perpetual unless altered or aoosd
b sch regular constitutional methods the people provided
The provisions Of Constitution in this respect are 10 aa
mony with the further principle ofthe Declaration thai Waen
ever any form government becomes destructive o ns
ends Il Is the right OF the people to alter or aoosh anu W
institute government" But is the Use OF force war
sauted for this purpose has the consent Of the governor
been obtained the employment of FORGET What 70 d
gained under Of by the resort to 'rcs
We Already make our own laws. cannot do more Pese
able means have provided for altering a6oshng or
present laws and government well What can We ns's
more VIII rights be any better secured by the use "
force IL would do not intend to beg the qass
ton by this argument. this serious matter
Belief doctrines OF Secession and Revolution ed 70 ne
deporsbe Rebellion, AID the latter is the more
because OF its spee.ousness 1t Is the bane OF 'e & 10
mind as Secession OF the Southern. deny tns
right Of portion OF the people OF tnis country
majority or minority 70 resort 70 ioiee ~ or ~ r.,
zeal grievances real or fancied Peacea9ie means oa
dress OF all grievances have been provided and therefore
right as there is occasion to resort 70 force
But while deny the right under our form OF government,
cannot agree With you does exist under any oher
form Of government" Where there is no peaeeaoe redress
grievances force may become .Justihaoie may
duty II the grievance is pressing and circumstances NJ
probable it is De warranted IL innsIss
therefore where there no peaceabie nu' ''
cannot admit that lit is right above and
before.eIng forms of government so far as It Is rgo. -
all The right exists relative sense but il 10 the eoss
quence Of and presupposes government Of some kind Oe
have existence. IL is remedy for bad government"
The writer freely admits that the practical application o
these principles is IN many cases both deut and eomp
Gated" general principles however yaabe have Lexr
apparent lot real exceptions il possible that mag
arse where the principle now defended would ia o. practical
application: yet confess my inability 10 Conceive
where would apply less closely. In the
supposed Austria and Italy the question Of natural bounds
differences OF language. manners habits climate
and high mountain rangewOud require 20 be considered
but which time forbds be entered upon buand this
ID point OF practical importance 60 uhere does not
difficulty in applying the principle 10 our Gov
ernment Rebellion. Natural b0unts
all political they determine territorial unity Oar
Government rests the consent Of the governed We
provided peaecabe remedy fr grievances and there
right revolution by force does and eKss
under IT, The South resorted force ageins their
solemn engagement % do The grievances they sought
remedy hayingno real existence not only not
ded-they Intensified and that by their folly alons.
II they had fought battle within the pale OF the Consta
relying upon peaceabe the institution Of Slavery.
the chief of the Rebellion would have been preserved
present least. AS the result OF the Rebellion 10
monsrate the folly of resorng to force remedy fof
political grievances let political morality with
the heeses OF Secession and the right d
Revolution by force that another may be impossible.