The Liberator

MORAL.

UNCHRISTIAN PATRIOTISM.

Many deeds which a selfish world pronounces highly patriotic, are performed in direct hostility to the precepts of the Bible. Such is the fact, in our humble opinion, in relation to war. We know that public sentiment is against us in this matter, but we shall nevertheless modestly express our views. We frankly confess our utter inability to reconcile war with the plain precepts of the Bible. We see not how it can be made consistent with the command, 'As ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them;' or with the precepts which require us to 'love our enemies,' and 'render to no man evil for evil.' We know it is said, that these precepts relate to the intercourse of men in their individual capacity, and are not to be applied, in their full extent, to the commerce of nations. But is not this a mistake? We think so. If it be wrong for an individual to destroy the life of another for trampling upon his rights; we see not how it can be proved that nations are justified in butchering one another. It may be said that the parties are mutually agreed in this mode of settling their disputes. And so are duellists agreed: but this does not clear them from the guilt of murder; they will be held accountable for the violation of the divine command, 'Thou shalt not kill.'

But it will be asked, 'Do you condemn the war of our revolution, which has been productive of such incalculable benefit?' To this we reply, that we have serious doubts whether even that war can be reconciled with the principles of the gospel. No doubt those who were engaged in it, thought they were doing right; but neither this consideration, nor the beneficial results which have followed it, are sufficient in our view, to clear this nation or England from the guilt of breaking the law of God. That great apparent good has resulted from that war, we have no disposition to deny; for it is unquestionably true, that the independence of this country, gained as it was by blood and slaughter, has been instrumental, in a high degree, of promoting the cause of Christ. But is not all this because God has made the wrath of man to praise him, and brought good out of evil? The crucifixion of Christ was the fulfilment of scripture prophecy, and an important link in the plan of salvation. But will his murderers escape punishment on this account? Certainly not; and to our mind it is a serious question, whether nations which engage in war, no matter for what reason, are not plunging themselves in guilt.

We have been led to these reflections, by a recent occurrence in this city. We allude to the sending of standards to the Poles. We do not question the motives of those who have thus testified their high regard for the zeal and patriotism of a people, struggling for liberty. But if war be unjustifiable, they have done wrong. They have said to the Poles, virtually, by this act, 'Go on, slaughter your enemies, procure your freedom, or die in the contest.' Whether this is right, is to our mind at least questionable. We would not be too confident in condemning what older and wiser men than ourselves have approved. But while we treat public sentiment with all proper deference, we must be allowed to say, that in our opinion Christians ought to ponder well, before they give countenance to that spirit of retaliation and revenge which would fill the world with blood.

The sum of money which has been expended in procuring the standards, if it be not wasted, it seems to us might be more usefully expended. Would it not have done more good, if employed in the circulation of the Bible?

Whatever may be thought of our suggestion relative to war, we think some of those who are loud in the approbation of the Poles, are not very consistent. The slaves in these United States, in this land of boasted freedom, have double cause to fight for their liberty. We need not here repeat the story of their wrongs, or speak of their unparalleled oppression. But what was the popular feeling when they recently followed the example of the Patriotic Poles, and fought for liberty? The affair was spoken of as an 'insurrection' against rightful authority and they were branded as cut-throats and desperadoes. Now it really seems to us, if the Poles are right, the slaves are right also; and our citizens would display as much patriotism in sending standards to the latter as the former.