Year: 1861

udlS OtntTS ny tue IeellnB OF lne lnasses


Besides, where is there an explicit code


of international law and high court o.


justiceS We were looking for the mil


lennium but instead of the millennium


behold the spectacle of a Christian ma


ton, educated for ages in the forms of a


free government, with constitutional


guarantees for the largest liberty, and


rational method Of settling every


difference, that is plunged into war by a


few reckless demagogues. For the sake


of the world, therefore, we must assert


constitutional freedom by showing that


law and liberty are one and indivisible


and let the blame OF this horrid strife rest


where it belongs, on the crown of the


head of those who separate from their


brethren. If such as wantonly provoke


ordinary wars are punished seven fold,


they will be punished seventy and seven


fold.


3. You are commanded in scripture to
submit to the higher powers" and to
"pray for all that are in authority, that
you may lead a quiet and peaceable life,
in all Goodness and honesty" This ev-
identity implies that it is only under a
regular government that you can lead
"a quiet and peaceable life" The ante
diluvian world, and the early stage of the
Hebrew commonwealth show enough of
the evils of anarchy without our needing
to experience them any more than we
have done, in order to be convinced of
them. You have the best of govern
ments, and 1.-THE powers that be" were
not only ordained of God" but elected
by yourselves. After electing, you are
bound actively to sustain them, and they
every way deserve your moral and ma
terial support. Nations must have laws,
and SO we are further told that "the law
is made for the lawless and dsobedient,
for man stealers, for perjured persons, and
if there be any other thing that is con-
trary to sound doctrine" The apostle
speaking elsewhere OF the magistrates
office says it is to execute the law, for he
5earetl not the sword in vain," or as a
mere pageant. And truly, if the crimes
which have been lately committed in this
aud-crimes against every moral obliga
ion, each more astounding and aggraya-
led than the proceeding, and all tending
directly to sap the very foundations Of
.ociety-if these were to go long unpun'
shed, they would call for the vengeance
IF Heaven; for they are such as usually /.
1recede the dissolution of states.


This war is to sustain the government |
n executing the laws. Unlike the War
# the Roses in England, which was a
contest between rival dynasties and did
rot affect the rights of the people, it is a
conflict between civil order and anarchy.
t is a question of national life and death ;
or secession is the dissolution of the body |
,ohtic. Happily, your duty is clear as
t is urgent. In the revolutions of Eng
and and of our own country, some well
meaning but simple minded persons might
lold to the letter of the apostles precept
gainst its spirit; or, at best, they might
hink that they owed an ambiguous ale
lance, that they had divided duty
With y6u there is no such room for doubt.
1etter and spirit, law and gospel, every
Motive of policy, of patriotism, of hu-
nanity, and of piety urge you to sustain
be government


You sail in a gallant vessel under the
tars and stripes. 1t has traded with ev-
ry nation. 1t has carried a multitude
f immigrants to the land of promise.
ike another ark, it is bound for a new
yorld freighted with letters, liberty, reli-
ion, and all the dearest hopes of the
lost distant ages. But mutiny has
risen on board. The officers are at
lcked because they will not haul down
le old flag, reverse her course, change
ne articles under which we sail, and re-
onstruct her into long, rakish-looking,
,st-sailing slave trader and pirate. And


there moments hesitation as to what
on should do?


4. This is a defensive war. Had the {
rst actual blow been struck by govern
tent it would even then be plain who {
ere the aggressors. If any Of you are I
eace men you believe in the right and I
uty of self defense. When attacked by s
n assassin, you do not send for your /
mister to learn what to do. If your i
ouse is fred over your head, you do a
ot consult books of casuistry to ascer- t
lin your duty. The law of self preser- a
alton does not wait for reason or need i
rupture. 1t is earlier in its nature, high f