Philanthropist

From the New York Daily Advertiser.

Among the multiplied attempts which have been made, and which are now making in such rapid succession, particularly at the South and West, to induce our government to engage in the disturbances of South America we have not observed, in a single instance, an endeavour to discuss the conscientious question. And yet, one would think, before the government of a nation, calling itself christian, should be so loudly invited to engage in so serious an affair as that of becoming a party in a war, some one of the great number of those who are so extremely desirous of producing such a result, would attempt at least to make out a plausible case in this particular, because it cannot be considered even as respectable, or advantageous, for any nation to become engaged in the work of shedding blood, without any justifiable cause.

We then invite the ardent friends
of the policy under consideration, to lay aside, for a moment, the feelings of chivalry, the waywardness of knights-errant, and cupidity of buccaneers, and set down deliberately to the task of proving by sound argumentation, that, as a nation professing christianity, we have good cause to join in the intestine broils of South America.

We are perfectly willing to state, that we consider the government of the United States just as much responsible for its conduct, with regard to this subject, as individuals are for their personal conduct.

"THOU SHALT NOT KILL"

will be written in as deep and awful characters, against the governments which have engaged in unjust wars, for the blood shed, and the misery produced, as against the ruffian who wilfully destroys the life of a fellow-being. There is no proviso in this section of the law of God for an enthusiastic love of freedom, or a bitter hatred of tyranny and oppression.

The case of the inhabitants may, indeed, justify them in their endeavours to throw off the heavy yoke with which they have been so long burdened: but our case is far different from theirs. If we undertake to join in it, we do it as volunteers, without any oppression or tyranny to complain of, and have no other ground of quarrel, than what arises from a romantic, or a mercenary sympathy--neither of which, unless we very much mistake, can be considered as excuses for a breach of the solemn command above mentioned.