Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-10-15

the poverty to which he has reduced
him, the debtor is unable to pay the
full bond, the creditor may, IN the
abundance of his charity, remit part oil
his claim. moi as a matter oil justice
but as an act of pure grace, greatly 10
be commended! But l am wandering
far from my purpose, and hasten 10
return.
This utterance of Junius brought TO
mind a similar truth which l learned
from the fairest aud most philosophical
of all historians, that RULES OF moral
Justice are paramount to all positive
rights" This is one OF those divine
truths that sparkle all through the elo-
ouent pages Of Hallam. L call 1t d.
vine because it is Godgiven and I'M
changable; whereas legal rights posi-
tive rights, vested rights, (call them
what you will,) are but the enactment'
ofmen, and must vary with varying clr-
cum.tances, or the result be as Junlrs
predicts,
And so, Mr.. Editor, as l kept on
"laxily linking thought to thought" a
notice that appeared in the HERALD
quite naturally came into the train Oh
thought. A number of our farmers have
warned us not TO set foot upon Ter
land "for any purpose" As they make
no conditions il is fai. to presume that
thew intend TO carry it out literally. In
fine list notice a firm Of millers. Do
,hev mean that we are not to come 10
their mill to buy or sell without permis'
sion? And of all Of them would ask
il their houses or fences or woodlands
are in flames ifamillcs arc sick and n,
Distress. are we to wait until permissioi.A
is Given in writing, or in the presence
of witnesses before we come 10 Their
assistance? know that these are eX-
IRENE cases, but they come legilmately
within the sweepius clause for any
other purpose"
/ Now. ask, and expect an answer
to this question, do they intend to make
Lthot rule of action for themselves which
thcy require Of others? Are they ready
to promise never to set foot on any land
lint tner own. or the dusty highway !!
Only think, men and brethren, what a
nrison house this beautiful world would
become if never, IN the weary march Oh
life We could turn aside to pluck a SIN
ole wild flower, or rest in the cool shade
or ouench our thirst at one OF the many
fountains that God in his goodness has
Given for the use of all. Society, IN the
words of Junius would be a state OF war
and earth so close type Of that place
where Hope never comes, that future
Dantes would not need to draw upon
their fancies to describe the "lnfernal'
Not a small proportion OF those VINO
have gwen this notice are proiesse
followers OF the Lord Jesus Christ. II
he should revisit earth with his DlscI-
pies. and passing through thelr
0rainfelds on the Sabbath day should
in the extremity Of hunger, pluck some
ears of corn, would they haul him be-
fore the magistrate, not for desecratlng
the Sabbath day, for that has become
quite a venial offence in our Christian
land. but for infracting their legal
rights ?"
know. Mr.. Editor, that there are III
that list some rig hit minded and just
men. who, whilst prompt to assert and
maintain their legal rights under pro-
nor circumstances, would shrink at
the idea of carrying out that notice
70 all its legitimate results !; but are
they not giving countenance TO others.
who. regardless of all rules OF moral
: Justice, or even the amenities OF llie' arc
over ready for the sake Of spite or gam
TO stand upon their strictly legal rights
T have in my mind now instances
where damages have been claimed am
roca;ved when not one farthing's worth
ofdamage had been sustained. nope
that the magistrates whose duty II i
to- administer the law IN such cases
will keep a record OF these deeds. ina
they may 90 down in local history L
.be everlasting shame Of the parties con
y cerned.
r But | make my appeal to that nel'e
class Of men who are willing to adml
that only by the observance OF thos'
n eouitable rights that are above all lega
rights can society be kept together Il
= pcacc. Another truth in Gods econo
a nv they will not fail 10 see. That man
It notwithstanding his boosted indepen
d dsnce. is. of all creatures. the mos
s dependcnt. If it were otherwise sucl
- is the ineficiency of human law, throug
E venal courts and unscruplous lawyers
- that mankind would soon be classllle
It only as beasts Of burden, or beasts o
= nrev. As for that basser class VIII
] live and move and have their being !
n the narrow circle of self, no argument
will reach them and no law but III
zert alionis, and they should!remenoe
thot ,bov ORC not beyond its reach.