Genius Of Liberty

FOR THE GENIUS OF LIBERTY.

A CANNIBAL PRESIDENT.

Messrs. Editors:-At a recent meeting of the La Salle County Anti-Slavery Society, a resolution was introduced to the following purport: " Resolved that political action ought to be based upon moral principle." It was observed by the mover that many abolitionists, and other strenuous advocates of morality, had entirely overlooked this principle in their politics, so much so that numbers had even voted for a moral cannibal for President.

The assertion seemed to startle some and offend others. They conceived it to be a vile slander, and abominable language, such as no decent man would use. One gentleman labored with much zeal against the abolitionists, and in defense of " the powers which be." As the time was wholly spent and no opportunity for answer, I wish to offer the following by way of sustaining the charge which stands as the caption to this article, and also to remove the difficulty about resisting " the powers that be."

And first, I would ask these objectors, are they sure the assertion is untrue? for if true there is no harm in telling it, and no indelicacy in protesting against a wickedness which others openly commit.

A cannibal is one who appropriates human flesh to the purposes for which that of animals alone ought to be used, and for this practice the New Zealander, and some of the inhabitants of the South Sea islands. have been denounced as the most ferocious and savage of the human species.

Has not the President been guilty of the same practice, but under far more aggravating circumstances? The savage operates only upon the dead body, whilst the President takes living subjects. The savage only uses human flesh the same as pork and mutton; but the President uses human beings the same as horses and oxen. Hence there is no comparison between the degrees of guilt. The lifeless body cannot feel; therefore no misery endured by the victim, and no cruelty exercised by the savage. But in the case of the President it is one continued exercise of unrelenting cruelty towards his wretched victims during the whole period of their lives.

But the President claims (in addition) the soul. He tears and lacerates all its tender and holy affections and aims a death blow at all its noble faculties and lofty aspirations, and thus affronts the majesty of Heaven, by inflicting a living death upon the choicest work of God. Thus it is clear that his cannibalism exceeds in enormity that of the savage, just in proportion as mind exceeds matter in its susceptibility of pleasure or pain.

But there are other points of difference which strikingly demonstrate the enormous aggravations of his guilt: for whilst the savage only takes such as fall in war or criminals condemned by their laws, the President breeds human beings for the markets as beasts are fed for the shambles-not prisoners of war, not criminals, but his defenseless neighbors, his kinsmen, and (if report speaks truth) even his own innocent children. These are the victims of his cannibalism.

If then the comparative harmless practice of the savage excites sensations of horror, with what inexpressible feelings of abhorrence ought we to regard the practices of the President, and of the people of this nation!

The New Zealanders are but savages-they do not pretend to be any thing else. They are not blest with the refinements of civilization, or with the benevolent truths of the Gospel. But the President stands at the very head of a nation which glories in its high attainments in every thing which is great and good. O shame, where is thy blush! O people, who have lent yourselves to honor such monstrosity, cover yourselves with sackcloth!-repent in dust and ashes! and it may be the Lord will yet take the veil from your eyes, and give you a heart of flesh, " so iniquity shall not prove your ruin."

The gentleman to whom we have already alluded, did not present merely such argument as would naturally flow from a hardened heart, but with as much propriety, and in perfect imitation of a certain celebrated character, he actually quoted Scripture to prove his position. " Every soul must be subject to the powers that be, for they are ordained of God." Does this individual suppose that all existing power is of God, and must be obeyed with deferential respect? According to this logic our revolutionary fathers were traitors, Mo- ses and the Prophets, Jesus Christ and the Apostles, were rebels against God and man, for they all spoke against the evil practices of dignities; and we may add there has not a reformation taken place since the world began but what was originated or was consummated by resistance to " the powers that be." The sublime yet simple unsophisticated teachings of Christianity are in perfect accordance with the promptings of humanity and the dictates of common sense. It gives a clear and perfect delineation of all the relative duties of man; and while it enjoins implicit obedience to wholesome laws, and profound respect for the character of those who execute just judgment, who are a terror to evil doers and a praise to them which do well, it at the same time requires us faithfully to rebuke the evil doer without respect of persons. It absolutely enjoins upon us the most uncompromising resistance to every thing which conflicts with the supreme law of God.- Slavery is alike contrary to the laws of God and to the constitution of our country, which, as the document declares, was agreed to for the purpose expressly "to secure liberty and promote justice." Yet, in opposition to the highest possible authority, both human and divine, our common nature is outraged, God is insulted, justice and mercy are driven from amongst us; whilst those who claim to be messengers of mercy, " angels of light,"are in reality ministers of darkness--emissaries of Satan! And if perchance some one should happen to speak the truth in regard to these abominable corruptions, an outcry is heard against harshness, slander, falsehood, fanaticism, &c.; and this abuse of power, this prostitution of all that is virtuous and good. is vindicated and held up as an ordinance of God by the very men who palm themselves upon the community as expounders of God's word, as teachers of religion, as patterns of piety! O lamentable folly! only exceeded by the abominations which it seeks to palliate.

What! have the great body of the religious teachers and professors in this nation attained such a lofty eminence, such transcendent degree of moral excellence, that the very mention of crime is loathsome to their pure souls?

Alas!alas! is not the reverse the truth? Are they not wedded to wickedness, and have they not defiled themselves by the polluted embrace of a monster?Are they not jealous of their spouse, and valiantly rebut every reproachful epithet? If he who steals is called a thief, or he who kills, a murderer, or he who commits cannibalism is called a cannibal, they become irritated, they cannot bear it, they are touched to the quick.

To talk of a power being an ordinance of God, whose constant exercise is to crush human nature in the dust, is the most execrable treason against man, and the most horrid blasphemy against God, which rational beings can commit. Shame on those professors of religion who will advance such an idea! Hide yourselves in confusion, ye anti-christian priests, who have so long withheld or perverted the truth, and given countenance to a system which has cursed the people and disgraced the nation! Humanity calls upon you, ye shepherds, who have not only taken the fleece, but have also devoured the flesh. Common sense and an insulted community demand of you either to renounce your profession, or else act in character and drive off the spoiler. Respectfully yours,

JOHN BEESON.

Vermilionville, Jan. 20, 1842.