Year: 1864

Z
own, then. of course he would be respon-
sible for the acts of no agent. but his
own. This would be to break down all
nationality There could be no such
thing as corporate action. 1t is precisely
at this point, when we precieve the ne
cessity of the wise, judicious, indispensi-
bic rule of najorities. The majority rule
is the sine qua non Of all republican gov
ernment This is the basic stone of all
our institutions Take it away and the
whole fabric tunbles into ruin. It is the
thorn in the flesh of all aristocracies.-
The Oligarchs OF the South hate It Ty
rants and despots everywhere scout 1t
For its perpetuity We have poured out
the best blood of our land. For it, if
need be. we will vet offer hecatombs Of
victims. Nay more, if we suffer it to be
trampled under foot, we would prove
ourselves unfit for self government. and
an unworthy progeny of a noble ancestry
whose maledictions should haunt US to
the lowest depths OF our national infamy.


In the decision of 1the majority there
must be complete acq.. ..iescence. Unless
that majority decides contrary to our or
ganic law, and infringes upon our God
given and unsurrendered rights.


The want of this acquiescence, on the
part Of the rebels in the South, was the
immediate cause of the present desola-
ting war.


When the majority have legally chosen
our rulers, those rulers become the ac
credited agents of the people. And their
acts of the whole people as corporate
body.


Notwithstanding, this be true, it is also
to be considered that we do not in every
l1- Il 4
we are responsible to the nations of the
earth as also to God, for our national
acts There is, nevertheless, an indi-
vidual responsibility to God, that must
not be overlooked


If our governmental agent commands
or executes wrong, it must be either
within or without the limits of delegated
authority. If within the limits of that
authority, it is as much the people wrong
as his, in their corporate capacity. 1t
will also be every citizens individual
wrong. if he does not protest against it,
by attempting, through his influence and
action, to so change the boundary ofdele
gated authority, rs to exclude the wrong


If the wrong be without the limits Of
delegated authority, il is the agents own
act; unless the people endorse it Nheth
er The wrong be within or without the
confines of delegated authority every
citizen as part, of that body corporate
becomes responsible to God and to the
world, as part of such corporation must
meet the national cala;nities of which
every such wrong is the herbinger. But
this individual guilt OF innocence before
G Cd will depend upon the nature of the
citizens conduct in reference to the
wrong.


Many profesccl christians have suppos-
ed that they could escape the responsi
bility, by utterly withdrawing from the
political srena. No one will contend, we
presume, that he can escape responsible
ty to the nations of the earth or to God.
as a part of the body corporate. For
apprehend if some for eiQn nation should
deem it necessary to chastse Us for some
national wrong, that they would not be
very particular to inquire into particl-
pates in our national affairs. Or if God
should send pestilence or famine upon
the nation for its national wickedness,
the non -actionists would be as likely to
suffer as their neighbors. If any respon
sibilitv would be escaped, it would be of
an individual character.


Now if the christian has right TO with
draw entirely from governmental affairs,





causes He has the right either because
it is wrong to have anything to do with
political affairs Or, though it be lawful.
it is not expedient. The former position.
presume, few would defend, and we
think the latter equally indefensable.-
Is it expedient for good man not to at
tempt to arrest the blow, that when spent
would crush his wife or child? For
good man to refuse warning to the be
nighted traveller, of a precipice just
ahead? For good man TO withdraw
from the sick man the remedy that would
restore him to soundness? Nav would
we not say that he who should do any OF
these things commits sin in the sight of
Heaven. Now what his strength would
be to his wife or child in arresting the
blow, or warning to the traveller, or
remedy to the sick, might his influence
and vote be to the Republic. But is is
objected by some that | cannot take part
in political matters for politicians have
become so corrupt Ii that he true, it Is
the greater reason why good men should
step into the arena, VIII you set a
chimney sweep with sooty broom to dust
your wardrobe:


II the executive officer fails TO execute
those laws facilitating the right and for
bidding she wrong, it Is the unquestioua-
BILE duty of the people to replace him
with one that will. In the execution of
law il is frequently necessary for the OF
ficer to call 10 his sid the private citizen
If for example; he should undertake to
arrest n criminal. and meet resistance
which he cannot overcome, the law right
fully makes it his duty TO call 70 his as
sistance so msny private citizens IS are
necessary to effect the arrest No man
has right TO refuse that assistance when
legally called for, ii IN his power 10
render IL No, not the christian. altbo'
10 effect the arrest, it msy be necessary
10 use the deadly weapon; again. his IS
sistance may be requisite as a juror. for
the trial of criminals. Yet how many
shrink from these responsibilities and du-
ties.


Let il be known that . murderer IS TO
be tried See the better class OF COM
munitv begin to dodge the Sheriff He is
compelled TO summon whom he can -
Cunning counsel for the defendent, chal-
lenges every good man that may happen