New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-11-24


receivSlwith respectful surprise tie assur-
snce q Mr.. Ryan that he is not native
Of that green isle of whose gallant sons
SO many jocular examples, have been
given where the Imagination outruns the
judgment. There have never been in the
United States bat two sects which have
controverted the obligation of the citizen
to obey the laws as enacted and ex-
pounded by the public authorities. The
one was that of Mr. Calhoun, who reasoned
ably and logically to show that each State
had reserved right not to disobey the
law. but to construe the law in the last
resort for itself The other was that OF
the higher law, whose disciples held, like
the fifth monarchy men of England, that
they could be required to obey no law but
that of their own conscience. This last
school has received important accessicns
in those who. like Mr.. Ryan. think that
because Il come to the conclusion that
the government is no government at all. y
therefore have right to disobey its
laws or overthrow its autonomy.
Garrison. Wendell Phillips and John
Brown regarded the federal constitution
as "a covenant with hell, and. therefore.
void Of all moral obligation upon the
citizen. This doctrine was never adopt
ed by the Northern people. who believed
that the constitution. with the fugitive
slave law, should be obeyed until changed
or repealed according to law.
Perhaps, indeed, when Mr.. Ryan finds
himself standing on the same platform
with those he deems Puritan fanatics.
he will scramble off and plant himself
upon that apostolic plinth OF respecting
call in authority
The doctrine Of Mr.. Calhoun was one
which the Delphic obscurity of the fed
eral constitution rendered possible. and
the vast property values vested under it,
made it, in one sense, vital. It required
a war, and a constitutional amendment to
settle it. But the men who appealed to
the arbitrament have subscribed the
award They will abide by it, as Amer
lean citizens who comprehend and keep
their contracts according to agreed adj u-
dicatiOn.
The doctrine Of Messrs. Ryan, Garrison
and John Brown is much more dangerous,
because applicable to all individual rela-
tons between the citizen and his own
government. But this doctrine Of re-.
served allegiance to conscience as rule
Of political obedience is very delicate
subject at this time. 1t is possible tina: if
even the White Leaguers should hear it
reasoned TO its ultimate possible conse.
quences they might not applaud it with so
much fervor. In this connection we will
explain the fallacy Of our American Cath
Ole correspondent. It consists in the
assertion that
The duty of obedience to the law is pre-.
cisely the same under a republican govern.
ment as under any other form Of govern.
ment, and can no more be resisted With a
safe conscience than elsewhere.
1. The duty Of obedience to law is
higher under q Republican form OF gov.
eminent than under another form. because
every citizen Of republic has become
party to the organization and acts of that
government. lie is an equal integer Of
and underwater for. the commonwealth
Of which he is a member. Shall he thus
tear the seal from his own bond. and set
to others an example Of disobeying and
the common deed OF all. 1t
would be illogical. 1t would be j dishonor
to do so.
1t is therefore tina. the citizen Of re.
public owes q higher obedience to his
own government than the subject Of a
or other form Of government
which does not owe its just powers to the
consent Of the governed. The citizen
must stand by the validity OF his own
because it is his own act: the
subject owes no moral obedience to a
king. because he has had no voice in the
choice Of that government. nor has it
been imposed on him by his act Of assent.
Hence. if Mr.. Ryan's immediate pro.
eenitors had remained in what we under
stand was their own country. the White
League Grafton would. like white boys
grafton, have been entirely proper. Ire
land is country without lawful govern
ment. according to republican govern
ment Her people are subjects, not citi-
zens, as some one else who feels for Ire.
land has told the Queen
Gs take unhappy Ireland where she sits upon the
turf,
Raise hes to the throne beside ye. sister. not
serf,
Ard the blood and breath Of million. vii! be
thine. OH gracious Queen
And thy memory will pc Saylanded b. wssa:hs Of
Living green.
So. according to Republican doctrine.
il might have been lawful advice to sub.
jecs to shoot q '.thafe Of nagur" in one
country. while it would have been unlaw.
tul to give similar advice to the citizens
of another. Therein lies all the differ
ence between Emmett and John Brown.
We confess we have never had much ad.
miration for the Emmets who emigrate.
They sometimes have abandoned their
OWL country. in which it is duty to over.
throw the government. to ag;tatc safely
in one where the government provides for
it, own reformation.
Eut We differ from on. CORRESPONDENT
in the doctrine Of the second proposition.
which we quote from his reply. :