ON THE DUTY OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
Iheartilyacceptthemotto,--"Thatgoverisbestwhich
gover";andIshouldliketoseeitacteduptomorerapidly
andsystematically.Carriedout,itfinallyamountstothis,which
alsoIbelieve,--"Thatgoverisbestwhichgovernsnotat
all";andwhenmenarepreparedforit,thatwillbethekindoverwhichtheywillhave.Goverisatbestbutan
expedient;butmostgoversareusually,andallgoversare
sometimes,inexpedient.Theobjeswhichhavebeenbrought
againstastandingarmy,andtheyaremanyay,anddeserve
toprevail,mayalsoatlastbebroughtagainstastanding
goverhestandingarmyisonlyanarmofthestanding
goverhegoverself,whichisonlythemodewhichthe
peoplehavechosentoexecutetheirwill,isequallyliabletobe
abusedandpervertedbeforethepeopleactthroughit.Witness
thepresentMexiwar,theworkofparativelyafewindividuals
usiandinggoverastheirtool;for,iset,the
peoplewouldnothavesehismeasure.
ThisAmerigover--whatisitbutatradition,thougha
retone,endeavtotransmititselfunimpairedtoposterity,
buteastantlosingsomeofitsiy?Ithasnotthe
vitalityandforceofasinglelivingman;forasinglemanbend
ittohiswill.Itisasortofwoodenguntothepeople
themselves.Butitisnotthelessnecessaryforthis;forthe
peoplemusthavesomeplicatedmaeryorother,as
din,tosatisfythatideaofgoverwhichtheyhave.
Goversshowthushowsuccessfullymenbeimposedon,even
imposeonthemselves,fortheirownadvaisexcellent,we
mustallallow.Yetthisgoverneverofitselffurtheredany
enterprise,butbythealacritywithwhichitgotoutofitsway.
Itdoeshetryfree.ItdoesletheWest.It
doesnoteducate.ThecharacteriintheAmeripeoplehas
dohathasbeenaplished;anditwouldhavedonesomewhat
more,ifthegoverhadnotsometimesgotinitsway.Foverisanexpedientbywhiwouldfainsucceedin
lettiheralone;and,ashasbeensaid,whenitismost
expedient,thegovernedaremostletalo.Tradeand
erce,iftheywerenotmadeofIndiarubber,wouldnevermanage
tobounceovertheobstacleswhichlegislatorsaretinually
puttingintheirway;and,ifoojudgethesemenwhollyby
theeffectsoftheiras,andnotpartlybytheiriions,
theywoulddeservetobeclassedandpuhthosemischievous
personswhoputobstrusontherailroads.
But,tospeakpracticallyandasacitizen,uhosewho
callthemselvesno-govermen,Iaskfor,notatonover,butatotergover.Leteverymanmake
knownwhatkindofgoverwouldandhisrespedthat
willbeoowardobtainingit.
Afterall,thepracticalreasonwhy,whenthepowerison
thehandsofthepeople,amajorityarepermitted,andforalong
periodtiorule,isnotbecausetheyaremostlikelytobe
intheright,norbecausethisseemsfairesttotheminority,but
becausetheyarephysicallythestro.Butagoverin
whichthemajorityruleinallcasesotbebasedonjustice,
evenasfarasmeandit.therenotbeagoverin
whichmajoritiesdonotvirtuallydeciderightandwrong,but
sce?--inwhichmajoritiesdecideonlythosequestionsto
whichtheruleofexpediencyisapplicable?Mustthecitizenever
foramoment,orintheleastdegree,resignhisscetothe
legislator?Whyhaseverymanasce,then?Ithinkthatwe
shouldbemenfirst,andsubjectsafterward.Itisnotdesirableto
cultivatearespectforthelaw,somuchasfortheright.Theonly
obligationwhichIhavearighttoassumeistodoatanytimewhat
Ithinkright.Itistrulyenoughsaidthatacorporationhasno
sce;butacorporationofstiousmenisacorporation
withasce.Lawnevermademenawhitmorejust;and,by
meansoftheirrespectforit,eventhewell-disposedaredailymade
theagentsofinjustice.Aonandnaturalresultofanundue
respectforlawis,thatyoumayseeafileofsoldiers,el,
captain,corporal,privates,powder-monkeys,andall,margin
admirableorderoverhillanddaletothewars,againsttheirwills,
ay,againsttheironsenseandsces,whichmakesitvery
steepmargindeed,andproducesapalpitationoftheheart.
Theyhavenodoubtthatitisadamnablebusinessinwhichtheyare
ed;theyareallpeaceablyined.Now,whatarethey?
Menatall?orsmallmovablefortsandmagazitheserviceof
someunscrupulousmaninpower?VisittheNavyYard,andbeholda
marine,suchamanasanAmerigovermake,orsuchasit
makeamanwithitsblackarts--amereshadowandreminisce
ofhumanity,amanlaidoutaliveandstanding,andalready,asone
maysay,buriedunderarmswithfuneralapas,thoughit
maybe
"Notadrumwasheard,notafuneralnote,
Ashiscorsetotherampartwehurried;
Notasoldierdischargedhisfarewellshot
ravewhereourheroweburied."
Themassofmehestatethus,notasmenmainly,butas
maes,withtheirbodies.Theyarethestandingarmy,andthe
militia,jailers,stables,posseitatus,etmostcases
thereisnofreeexercisewhateverofthejudgmentorofthemoral
setheyputthemselvesonalevelwithwoodahand
stones;andwoodenmenperhapsbemanufacturedthatwillserve
thepurposeaswell.Suandnomorerespectthanmenofstraw
oralumpofdirt.Theyhavethesamesortofworthonlyashorses
anddogs.Yetsuchastheseevenareoeemedgood
citizens.Others,asmostlegislators,politis,lawyers,
ministers,andoffice-holders,servethestatechieflywiththeir
heads;and,astheyrarelymakeanymoraldistins,theyareas
likelytoservethedevil,withoutintendingit,asGod.Avery
few,asheroes,patriots,martyrs,reformersinthegreatsense,and
mehestatewiththeirscesalso,andsonecessarily
resistitforthemostpart;andtheyareonlytreatedas
enemiesbyit.Awisemanwillonlybeusefulasaman,andwill
notsubmittobe"clay,"and"stopaholetokeepthewindaway,"
butleavethatofficetohisdustatleast:--
"Iamtoohigh-borntobepropertied,
Tobeasedaryattrol,
Orusefulserving-manandinstrument
Toanysnstatethroughouttheworld."
Hewhogiveshimselfeohisfellow-meothem
uselessandselfish;buthewhogiveshimselfpartiallytothemis
pronouncedabeorandphilanthropist.
HowdoesitbeantobehavetowardthisAmeri
govero-day?Iahatheotwithoutdisgracebe
associatedwithit.Iotforaninstantreizethat
politicalanizationasmygoverwhichistheslaves
goveralso.
Allmenreizetherightofrevolution;thatis,therightto
refuseallegiao,andtoresist,thegover,whenits
tyrannyoritsinefficyaregreatandunendurable.Butalmost
allsaythatsuottheow.Butsuchwasthecase,they
think,intheRevolutionof75.Ifootellmethatthis
wasabadgoverbecauseittaxedcertainfnodities
broughttoitsports,itismostprobablethatIshouldnotmakean
adoaboutit,forIdowithoutthem.Allmaeshavetheir
fri;andpossiblythisdoesenoughgoodtoterbalahe
evil.Atanyrate,itisagreateviltomakeastiraboutit.But
whenthefriestohaveitsmae,andoppressionand
robberyareanized,Isay,letusnothavesuchamaeany
longer.Inotherwords,whenasixthofthepopulationofanation
whichhasuakeherefugeoflibertyareslaves,anda
wholetryisunjustlyoverrunandqueredbyafnarmy,
andsubjectedtomilitarylaw,Ithinkthatitisnottoosoonfor
homentorebelandrevolutionize.Whatmakesthisdutythe
mentisthefactthatthetrysooverrunisnotourown,
butoursistheinvadingarmy.
Paley,aonauthoritywithmanyonmoralquestions,inhis
chapteronthe"DutyofSubmissiontoCivilGover,"resolves
allcivilobligationintoexpediendheproceedstosaythat
"solongastheiofthewholesocietyrequiresit,thatis,
solongastheestablishedgoverotberesistedorged
withoutpubliveniency,itisthewillofGod...thatthe
establishedgoverbeobeyed,andnolonger....Thisprinciple
beingadmitted,thejusticeofeveryparticularcaseofresistance
isreduputationofthequantityofthedangerand
grievaheoneside,andoftheprobabilityandexpenseof
redressingitoher."Ofthis,hesays,everymanshall
judgeforhimself.ButPaleyappearsohaveplated
thosecasestowhichtheruleofexpediencydoesnotapply,inwhich
apeople,aswellasanindividual,mustdojustice,costwhatit
may.IfIhaveunjustlywrestedaplankfromadrowningman,Imust
restoreittohimthoughIdrowhis,acctoPaley,
wouldbeinve.Buthethatwouldsavehislife,insucha
case,shallloseit.Thispeoplemustceasetoholdslaves,andto
makewaronMexico,thoughitcostthemtheirexistenceasapeople.
IntheirpractiationsagreewithPaley;butdoesanyone
thinkthatMassachusettsdoesexactlywhatisrightatthepresent
crisis?
"Adrabofstate,acloth-o-silverslut,
Tohavehertrainborneup,andhersoultraili."
Practicallyspeaking,theoppooareforminMassachusettsare
notahuhousandpolitisattheSouth,butahundred
thousandmertsandfarmershere,whoaremoreiedin
erdagriculturethantheyareinhumanity,a
preparedtodojusticetotheslaveandtoMexico,costwhatitmay.
Iquarrelnotwithfar-offfoes,butwiththosewho,home,
co-operatewith,anddothebiddingofthosefaraway,andwithout
whomthelatterwouldbeharmless.Weareacedtosay,that
themassofmenareunprepared;butimprovementisslow,becausethe
fewarenotmateriallywiserorbetterthanthemany.Itisnotso
importantthatmanyshouldbeasgoodasyou,asthattherebesome
absolutegoodnesssomewhere;forthatwillleaventhewholelump.
Therearethousandswhoareinopinionopposedtoslaveryandtothe
war,whoyetidonothingtoputaothem;who,
esteemingthemselveschildrenofWashingtonandFranklin,sitdown
withtheirhandsintheirpockets,andsaythattheyknownotwhat
todo,anddonothing;whoevenpostpohequestionoffreedomto
thequestionoffree-trade,andquietlyreadtheprices-current
alongwiththelatestadvicesfromMexico,afterdinner,and,itmay
be,fallasleepoverthemboth.Whatistheprice-currentofan
homanandpatriotto-day?Theyhesitate,andtheyregret,and
sometimestheypetition;buttheydonothinginearandwith
effect.Theywillwait,welldisposed,forotherstoremedythe
evil,thattheymaynolongerhaveittret.Atmost,theygive
onlyacheapvote,andafeebletenandGodspeed,tothe
right,asitgoesbythem.Thereareninehundredandy-nine
patronsofvirtuetoouousman;butitiseasiertodeal
withtherealpossessorofathingthanwiththetempuardian
ofit.
Allvotingisasaming,likecheckersorbackgammon,
withaslightmoralti,aplayingwithrightandwrong,
withmoralquestions;aingnaturallyapa.The
characterofthevotersisnotstaked.Icastmyvote,perce,
asIthinkright;butIamnotvitallyedthatthatright
shouldprevail.Iamwillingtoleaveittothemajority.Its
obligation,therefore,neverexceedsthatofexpediency.Even
votingfortherightisdoingnothingforit.Itisonlyexpressing
tomenfeeblyyourdesirethatitshouldprevail.Awisemanwill
herighttothemercyoforwishittoprevail
throughthepowerofthemajority.Thereisbutlittlevirtuein
theaassesofmehemajorityshallatlengthvote
fortheabolitionofslavery,itwillbebecausetheyare
indifferenttoslavery,orbecausethereisbutlittleslaveryleft
tobeabolishedbytheirvote.Theywilltheheonlyslaves.
Onlyhisvotehastentheabolitionofslaverywhoassertshis
ownfreedombyhisvote.
IhearofaventiontobeheldatBaltimore,orelsewhere,
fortheseleofadidateforthePresidency,madeupchiefly
ofeditors,andmenolitisbyprofession;butIthink,
whatisittoanyindepe,intelligent,andrespectablemanwhat
decisiontheymayeto?Shallwenothavetheadvantageofhis
wisdomandhoy,heless?wenottuponsome
indepevotes?Aretherenotmanyindividualsinthetry
whodonotattendventions?Butno:Ifindthattherespectable
man,socalled,hasimmediatelydriftedfromhisposition,and
despairsofhistry,whenhistryhasmorereasontodespair
ofhim.Heforthtsohedidatesthusselectedas
theonlyavailableohusprovingthatheishimselfavailable
foranypurposesofthedemagogue.Hisvoteisofnomoreworth
thanthatofanyunprincipledfnerorhirelingnative,whomay
havebeenbought.Ohforamanwhoisaman,and,asmyneighbor
says,hasaboneinhisbackwhichyouotpassyourhand
through!Ourstatisticsareatfault:thepopulationhasbeen
reture.Howmanymeheretoasquarethousand
milesinthistry?Hardlyone.DoesnotAmericaofferany
iformelehere?TheAmerihasdwio
anOddFellow--onewhomaybeknownbythedevelopmentofhis
anariousness,andamalackofintelled
cheerfulself-reliance;whosefirstandchief,oning
intotheworld,istoseethatthealmshousesareingoodrepair;
and,beforeyethehaslawfullydohevirilegarb,tocollecta
fundforthesupportofthewidowsandorphansthatmaybe;who,in
shortveoliveonlybytheaidoftheMutualInsurance
pany,whichhaspromisedtoburyhimdetly.
Itisnotamansduty,asamatterofcourse,todevotehimself
totheeradicationofahemostenorm;hemay
stillproperlyhaveotherstoengagehim;butitishis
duty,atleast,towashhishandsofit,and,ifhegivesitno
thoughtlonger,nottogiveitpracticallyhissupport.IfIdevote
myselftootherpursuitsandplations,Imustfirstsee,at
least,thatIdonotpursuethemsittinguponanothermans
shoulders.Imustgetoffhimfirst,thathemaypursuehis
plationstoo.Seewhatgrossinsistencyistolerated.I
haveheardsomeofmytownsmensay,"Ishouldliketohavethem
ordermeouttohelpputdownaninsurreoftheslaves,orto
marexico;--seeifIwouldgo";aheseverymenhave
each,directlybytheirallegiandsoily,atleast,by
theirmoney,furnishedasubstitute.Thesoldierisapplaudedwho
refusestoserveinanunjustwarbythosewhodonotrefuseto
sustaintheunjustgoverwhichmakesthewar;isapplaudedby
thosewhoseownadauthorityhedisregardsanaught;
asifthestatewerepeothatdegreethatithiredoo
sceitwhileitsinned,butnottothatdegreethatitleftoff
sinningforamoment.Thus,uhenameofOrderandCivil
Gover,weareallmadeatlasttopayhomagetoandsupportour
ownmeanness.Afterthefirstblushofsisindifference;
andfromimmoralitbees,asitwere,unmoral,andnotquite
unnecessarytothatlifewhichwehavemade.
Thebroadestandmostprevalenterrorrequiresthemost
disiedvirtuetosustainit.Theslightreproachtowhich
thevirtueofpatriotismisonlyliable,thenoblearemost
likelytoincur.Thosewho,whiletheydisapproveofthecharacter
andmeasuresofagover,yieldtoittheirallegiand
supportareundoubtedlyitsmoststioussupporters,andso
frequentlythemostseriousobstaclestoreform.Someare
petitionietodissolvetheUnion,tardthe
requisitionsofthePresident.Whydotheynotdissolveit
themselves--theunioweenthemselvesae--and
refusetopaytheirquotaintoitstreasury?Donottheystandin
thesamerelationtotheState,thattheStatedoestotheUnion?
AndhavenotthesamereasoedtheStatefromresistingthe
Union,whichhaveprevehemfromresistie?
Howamaisfiedtoeainanopinionmerely,and
enjoyit?Isthereanyenjoymentinit,ifhisopinionisthathe
isaggrieved?Ifyouarecheatedoutofasingledollarbyyour
neighbor,youdosatisfiedwithknowingthatyouare
cheated,orwithsayingthatyouarecheated,orevenwith
petitioninghimtopayyouyourdue;butyoutakeeffectualstepsat
ooobtainthefullamount,ayouarenevercheated
again.Afromprinciple--theperceptionandtheperformance
ht--gesthingsaions;itisessentially
revolutionary,asistwhollywithanythingwhichwas.
Itnotonlydividesstatesandchurches,itdividesfamilies;ay,it
dividestheindividual,separatingthediabolihimfromthe
divine.
Unjustlawsexist;shallwebetenttoobeythem,orshallwe
endeavortoamendthem,ahemuntilwehavesucceeded,or
shallwetrahematonce?Mengenerally,undersucha
goverasthis,thinkthattheyoughttowaituntiltheyhave
persuadedthemajoritytoalterthem.Theythinkthat,ifthey
shouldresist,theremedywouldbeworsethantheevil.Butitis
thefaultofthegoverselfthattheremedyisworsethanthe
evil.Itmakesitworse.Whyisitnotmoreapttoanticipateand
provideforreform?Whydoesitnotcherishitswiseminority?Why
doesitdresistbeforeitishurt?Whydoesitnotence
itscitizenstobeonthealerttopointoutitsfaults,anddo
betterthanitwouldhavethem?WhydoesitalwayscrucifyChrist,
andexunicateCopernidLuther,andpronounceWashington
andFranklinrebels?
Onewouldthink,thatadeliberateandpracticaldenialofits
authoritywastheonlyoffeneverplatedbygover;
else,whyhasitnotassigsdefissuitableand
proportionate,penalty?Ifamanropertyrefusesbut
ooearnnineshillingsfortheState,heisputinprisonfora
periodunlimitedbyanylawthatIknow,aerminedonlybythe
discretionofthosewhoplacedhimthere;butifheshouldsteal
imesnineshillingsfromtheState,heissootedtoatlargeagain.
Iftheinjusticeispartofthenecessaryfriofthe
maeofgover,letitgo,letitgo;perceitwillwear
smooth--certainlythemaewillwearout.Iftheinjusticehas
aspring,orapulley,orarope,orak,exclusivelyfor
itself,thenperhapsyoumaysiderwhethertheremedywillnotbe
worsethantheevil;butifitisofsuaturethatitrequires
youtobetheagentofinjusticetoahen,Isay,breakthe
law.Letyourlifebeaterfritostopthemae.What
Ihavetodoistosee,atanyrate,thatIdonotlendmyselfto
thewrongwhin.
AsforadoptingthewayswhichtheStatehasprovidedfor
remedyingtheevil,Iknownotofsuchways.Theytaketoomuch
time,andamanslifewillbegone.Ihaveotheraffairstoattend
to.Icameintothisworld,notchieflytomakethisagoodplace
tolivein,buttoliveinit,beitgoodorbad.Amanhasnot
everythingtodo,butsomething;andbecauseheotdo
everything,itisnotnecessarythatheshoulddosomethingwrong.
ItisnotmybusiobepetitioningtheGovernororthe
Legislatureanymorethanitistheirstopetitionme;andifthey
shouldnothearmypetition,whatshouldIdothen?Butinthis
casetheStatehasprovidednoway;itsverystitutionisthe
evil.Thismayseemtobeharshandstubbornandunciliatory;
butitistotreatwiththeutmostkindnessandsiderationthe
onlyspiritthatappreciateordeservesit.Soisangefor
thebetter,likebirthahwhivulsethebody.
Idoatetosay,thatthosewhocallthemselves
Abolitionistsshouldatonceeffectuallywithdrawtheirsupport,
bothinpersonandproperty,fromthegoverofMassachusetts,
andnotwaittilltheystituteamajorityofone,beforethey
suffertherighttoprevailthroughthem.Ithinkthatitisenough
iftheyhaveGodontheirside,withoutwaitingforthatotherone.
Moreover,anymanmhtthanhisneighborsstitutesa
majorityofonealready.
ImeetthisAmerigover,oritsrepresentative,the
Stategover,directly,andfacetofaceayear--nomore
--inthepersonofitstax-gatherer;thisistheonlymodeinwhich
amansituatedasIamnecessarilymeetsit;anditthensays
distinctly,Reizeme;andthesimplest,themosteffectual,and,
inthepresentpostureofaffairs,theindispensablestmodeof
treatingwithitonthishead,ofexpressingyourlittle
satisfawithandloveforit,istodenyitthen.Mycivil
neighbor,thetax-gatherer,istheverymanIhavetodealwith--
foritis,afterall,withmenandnotwithpartthatIquarrel
--andhehasvoluntarilychosentobeaofthegover.
Howshallheeverknohatheisanddoesasanofficerofthe
gover,orasaman,untilheisobligedtosiderwhetherhe
shalltreatme,hisneighbor,forwhomhehasrespect,asaneighbor
andwell-disposedman,orasamaniaddisturberofthepeace,
andseeifhegetoverthisobstrutohisneighborliness
withoutaruderandmoreimpetuousthoughtorspeechcorresponding
withhisa?Iknowthiswell,thatifohousand,ifone
hundred,iftenmenwhomIcouldname--iftemenonly--
ay,ifoneHOman,inthisStateofMassachusetts,ceasingto
holdslaves,wereactuallytowithdrawfromthiscopartnership,and
belockedupinthetyjailtherefor,itwouldbetheabolition
ofslaveryinAmeriattersnothowsmallthebeginning
mayseemtobe:whatisoncewelldoneisdoneforever.Butwelove
bettertotalkaboutit:thatwesayisourmission.Reformkeeps
manyscoresofneersinitsservice,butnotoneman.Ifmy
esteemedneighbor,theStatesambassador,whowilldevotehisdays
tothesettlementofthequestionofhumanrightsinthecil
Chamber,insteadofbeingthreatehtheprisonsofCarolina,
weretositdowntheprisonerofMassachusetts,thatStatewhichis
soanxioustofoistthesinofslaveryuponhersister--thoughat
presentshediscoveronlyanactofinhospitalitytobethe
groundofaquarrelwithher--theLegislaturewouldnotwholly
waivethesubjectthefollowingwinter.
Underagoverwhichimprisonsanyunjustly,thetrueplace
forajustmanisalsoaprison.Theproperplaceto-day,theonly
placewhichMassachusettshasprovidedforherfreerandless
despondingspirits,isinherprisons,tobeputoutandlockedout
oftheStatebyherownact,astheyhavealreadyputthemselvesout
bytheirprinciples.Itistherethatthefugitiveslave,andthe
Mexiprisoneronparole,andtheIndiaopleadthewrongs
ofhisrace,shouldfindthem;onthatseparate,butmorefreeand
honorableground,wheretheStateplacesthosewhoarenotwith
her,butagaiheonlyhouseinaslaveStateinwhicha
freemanabidewithhonor.Ifanythinkthattheirinfluence
wouldbelostthere,andtheirvoiolongerafflicttheearof
theState,thattheywouldnotbeasanenemywithinitswalls,they
donotknowbyhowmuchtruthisstrohanerror,norhowmuch
moreeloquentlyandeffectivelyhebatinjusticewhohas
experiencedalittleinhisownperson.Castyourwholevote,nota
stripofpapermerely,butyourwholeinfluence.Aminorityis
powerlesswhileitstothemajority;itisnotevena
minoritythen;butitisirresistiblewhenitclogsbyitswhole
weight.Ifthealternativeistokeepalljustmeninprison,iveupwarandslav松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
gover";andIshouldliketoseeitacteduptomorerapidly
andsystematically.Carriedout,itfinallyamountstothis,which
alsoIbelieve,--"Thatgoverisbestwhichgovernsnotat
all";andwhenmenarepreparedforit,thatwillbethekindoverwhichtheywillhave.Goverisatbestbutan
expedient;butmostgoversareusually,andallgoversare
sometimes,inexpedient.Theobjeswhichhavebeenbrought
againstastandingarmy,andtheyaremanyay,anddeserve
toprevail,mayalsoatlastbebroughtagainstastanding
goverhestandingarmyisonlyanarmofthestanding
goverhegoverself,whichisonlythemodewhichthe
peoplehavechosentoexecutetheirwill,isequallyliabletobe
abusedandpervertedbeforethepeopleactthroughit.Witness
thepresentMexiwar,theworkofparativelyafewindividuals
usiandinggoverastheirtool;for,iset,the
peoplewouldnothavesehismeasure.
ThisAmerigover--whatisitbutatradition,thougha
retone,endeavtotransmititselfunimpairedtoposterity,
buteastantlosingsomeofitsiy?Ithasnotthe
vitalityandforceofasinglelivingman;forasinglemanbend
ittohiswill.Itisasortofwoodenguntothepeople
themselves.Butitisnotthelessnecessaryforthis;forthe
peoplemusthavesomeplicatedmaeryorother,as
din,tosatisfythatideaofgoverwhichtheyhave.
Goversshowthushowsuccessfullymenbeimposedon,even
imposeonthemselves,fortheirownadvaisexcellent,we
mustallallow.Yetthisgoverneverofitselffurtheredany
enterprise,butbythealacritywithwhichitgotoutofitsway.
Itdoeshetryfree.ItdoesletheWest.It
doesnoteducate.ThecharacteriintheAmeripeoplehas
dohathasbeenaplished;anditwouldhavedonesomewhat
more,ifthegoverhadnotsometimesgotinitsway.Foverisanexpedientbywhiwouldfainsucceedin
lettiheralone;and,ashasbeensaid,whenitismost
expedient,thegovernedaremostletalo.Tradeand
erce,iftheywerenotmadeofIndiarubber,wouldnevermanage
tobounceovertheobstacleswhichlegislatorsaretinually
puttingintheirway;and,ifoojudgethesemenwhollyby
theeffectsoftheiras,andnotpartlybytheiriions,
theywoulddeservetobeclassedandpuhthosemischievous
personswhoputobstrusontherailroads.
But,tospeakpracticallyandasacitizen,uhosewho
callthemselvesno-govermen,Iaskfor,notatonover,butatotergover.Leteverymanmake
knownwhatkindofgoverwouldandhisrespedthat
willbeoowardobtainingit.
Afterall,thepracticalreasonwhy,whenthepowerison
thehandsofthepeople,amajorityarepermitted,andforalong
periodtiorule,isnotbecausetheyaremostlikelytobe
intheright,norbecausethisseemsfairesttotheminority,but
becausetheyarephysicallythestro.Butagoverin
whichthemajorityruleinallcasesotbebasedonjustice,
evenasfarasmeandit.therenotbeagoverin
whichmajoritiesdonotvirtuallydeciderightandwrong,but
sce?--inwhichmajoritiesdecideonlythosequestionsto
whichtheruleofexpediencyisapplicable?Mustthecitizenever
foramoment,orintheleastdegree,resignhisscetothe
legislator?Whyhaseverymanasce,then?Ithinkthatwe
shouldbemenfirst,andsubjectsafterward.Itisnotdesirableto
cultivatearespectforthelaw,somuchasfortheright.Theonly
obligationwhichIhavearighttoassumeistodoatanytimewhat
Ithinkright.Itistrulyenoughsaidthatacorporationhasno
sce;butacorporationofstiousmenisacorporation
withasce.Lawnevermademenawhitmorejust;and,by
meansoftheirrespectforit,eventhewell-disposedaredailymade
theagentsofinjustice.Aonandnaturalresultofanundue
respectforlawis,thatyoumayseeafileofsoldiers,el,
captain,corporal,privates,powder-monkeys,andall,margin
admirableorderoverhillanddaletothewars,againsttheirwills,
ay,againsttheironsenseandsces,whichmakesitvery
steepmargindeed,andproducesapalpitationoftheheart.
Theyhavenodoubtthatitisadamnablebusinessinwhichtheyare
ed;theyareallpeaceablyined.Now,whatarethey?
Menatall?orsmallmovablefortsandmagazitheserviceof
someunscrupulousmaninpower?VisittheNavyYard,andbeholda
marine,suchamanasanAmerigovermake,orsuchasit
makeamanwithitsblackarts--amereshadowandreminisce
ofhumanity,amanlaidoutaliveandstanding,andalready,asone
maysay,buriedunderarmswithfuneralapas,thoughit
maybe
"Notadrumwasheard,notafuneralnote,
Ashiscorsetotherampartwehurried;
Notasoldierdischargedhisfarewellshot
ravewhereourheroweburied."
Themassofmehestatethus,notasmenmainly,butas
maes,withtheirbodies.Theyarethestandingarmy,andthe
militia,jailers,stables,posseitatus,etmostcases
thereisnofreeexercisewhateverofthejudgmentorofthemoral
setheyputthemselvesonalevelwithwoodahand
stones;andwoodenmenperhapsbemanufacturedthatwillserve
thepurposeaswell.Suandnomorerespectthanmenofstraw
oralumpofdirt.Theyhavethesamesortofworthonlyashorses
anddogs.Yetsuchastheseevenareoeemedgood
citizens.Others,asmostlegislators,politis,lawyers,
ministers,andoffice-holders,servethestatechieflywiththeir
heads;and,astheyrarelymakeanymoraldistins,theyareas
likelytoservethedevil,withoutintendingit,asGod.Avery
few,asheroes,patriots,martyrs,reformersinthegreatsense,and
mehestatewiththeirscesalso,andsonecessarily
resistitforthemostpart;andtheyareonlytreatedas
enemiesbyit.Awisemanwillonlybeusefulasaman,andwill
notsubmittobe"clay,"and"stopaholetokeepthewindaway,"
butleavethatofficetohisdustatleast:--
"Iamtoohigh-borntobepropertied,
Tobeasedaryattrol,
Orusefulserving-manandinstrument
Toanysnstatethroughouttheworld."
Hewhogiveshimselfeohisfellow-meothem
uselessandselfish;buthewhogiveshimselfpartiallytothemis
pronouncedabeorandphilanthropist.
HowdoesitbeantobehavetowardthisAmeri
govero-day?Iahatheotwithoutdisgracebe
associatedwithit.Iotforaninstantreizethat
politicalanizationasmygoverwhichistheslaves
goveralso.
Allmenreizetherightofrevolution;thatis,therightto
refuseallegiao,andtoresist,thegover,whenits
tyrannyoritsinefficyaregreatandunendurable.Butalmost
allsaythatsuottheow.Butsuchwasthecase,they
think,intheRevolutionof75.Ifootellmethatthis
wasabadgoverbecauseittaxedcertainfnodities
broughttoitsports,itismostprobablethatIshouldnotmakean
adoaboutit,forIdowithoutthem.Allmaeshavetheir
fri;andpossiblythisdoesenoughgoodtoterbalahe
evil.Atanyrate,itisagreateviltomakeastiraboutit.But
whenthefriestohaveitsmae,andoppressionand
robberyareanized,Isay,letusnothavesuchamaeany
longer.Inotherwords,whenasixthofthepopulationofanation
whichhasuakeherefugeoflibertyareslaves,anda
wholetryisunjustlyoverrunandqueredbyafnarmy,
andsubjectedtomilitarylaw,Ithinkthatitisnottoosoonfor
homentorebelandrevolutionize.Whatmakesthisdutythe
mentisthefactthatthetrysooverrunisnotourown,
butoursistheinvadingarmy.
Paley,aonauthoritywithmanyonmoralquestions,inhis
chapteronthe"DutyofSubmissiontoCivilGover,"resolves
allcivilobligationintoexpediendheproceedstosaythat
"solongastheiofthewholesocietyrequiresit,thatis,
solongastheestablishedgoverotberesistedorged
withoutpubliveniency,itisthewillofGod...thatthe
establishedgoverbeobeyed,andnolonger....Thisprinciple
beingadmitted,thejusticeofeveryparticularcaseofresistance
isreduputationofthequantityofthedangerand
grievaheoneside,andoftheprobabilityandexpenseof
redressingitoher."Ofthis,hesays,everymanshall
judgeforhimself.ButPaleyappearsohaveplated
thosecasestowhichtheruleofexpediencydoesnotapply,inwhich
apeople,aswellasanindividual,mustdojustice,costwhatit
may.IfIhaveunjustlywrestedaplankfromadrowningman,Imust
restoreittohimthoughIdrowhis,acctoPaley,
wouldbeinve.Buthethatwouldsavehislife,insucha
case,shallloseit.Thispeoplemustceasetoholdslaves,andto
makewaronMexico,thoughitcostthemtheirexistenceasapeople.
IntheirpractiationsagreewithPaley;butdoesanyone
thinkthatMassachusettsdoesexactlywhatisrightatthepresent
crisis?
"Adrabofstate,acloth-o-silverslut,
Tohavehertrainborneup,andhersoultraili."
Practicallyspeaking,theoppooareforminMassachusettsare
notahuhousandpolitisattheSouth,butahundred
thousandmertsandfarmershere,whoaremoreiedin
erdagriculturethantheyareinhumanity,a
preparedtodojusticetotheslaveandtoMexico,costwhatitmay.
Iquarrelnotwithfar-offfoes,butwiththosewho,home,
co-operatewith,anddothebiddingofthosefaraway,andwithout
whomthelatterwouldbeharmless.Weareacedtosay,that
themassofmenareunprepared;butimprovementisslow,becausethe
fewarenotmateriallywiserorbetterthanthemany.Itisnotso
importantthatmanyshouldbeasgoodasyou,asthattherebesome
absolutegoodnesssomewhere;forthatwillleaventhewholelump.
Therearethousandswhoareinopinionopposedtoslaveryandtothe
war,whoyetidonothingtoputaothem;who,
esteemingthemselveschildrenofWashingtonandFranklin,sitdown
withtheirhandsintheirpockets,andsaythattheyknownotwhat
todo,anddonothing;whoevenpostpohequestionoffreedomto
thequestionoffree-trade,andquietlyreadtheprices-current
alongwiththelatestadvicesfromMexico,afterdinner,and,itmay
be,fallasleepoverthemboth.Whatistheprice-currentofan
homanandpatriotto-day?Theyhesitate,andtheyregret,and
sometimestheypetition;buttheydonothinginearandwith
effect.Theywillwait,welldisposed,forotherstoremedythe
evil,thattheymaynolongerhaveittret.Atmost,theygive
onlyacheapvote,andafeebletenandGodspeed,tothe
right,asitgoesbythem.Thereareninehundredandy-nine
patronsofvirtuetoouousman;butitiseasiertodeal
withtherealpossessorofathingthanwiththetempuardian
ofit.
Allvotingisasaming,likecheckersorbackgammon,
withaslightmoralti,aplayingwithrightandwrong,
withmoralquestions;aingnaturallyapa.The
characterofthevotersisnotstaked.Icastmyvote,perce,
asIthinkright;butIamnotvitallyedthatthatright
shouldprevail.Iamwillingtoleaveittothemajority.Its
obligation,therefore,neverexceedsthatofexpediency.Even
votingfortherightisdoingnothingforit.Itisonlyexpressing
tomenfeeblyyourdesirethatitshouldprevail.Awisemanwill
herighttothemercyoforwishittoprevail
throughthepowerofthemajority.Thereisbutlittlevirtuein
theaassesofmehemajorityshallatlengthvote
fortheabolitionofslavery,itwillbebecausetheyare
indifferenttoslavery,orbecausethereisbutlittleslaveryleft
tobeabolishedbytheirvote.Theywilltheheonlyslaves.
Onlyhisvotehastentheabolitionofslaverywhoassertshis
ownfreedombyhisvote.
IhearofaventiontobeheldatBaltimore,orelsewhere,
fortheseleofadidateforthePresidency,madeupchiefly
ofeditors,andmenolitisbyprofession;butIthink,
whatisittoanyindepe,intelligent,andrespectablemanwhat
decisiontheymayeto?Shallwenothavetheadvantageofhis
wisdomandhoy,heless?wenottuponsome
indepevotes?Aretherenotmanyindividualsinthetry
whodonotattendventions?Butno:Ifindthattherespectable
man,socalled,hasimmediatelydriftedfromhisposition,and
despairsofhistry,whenhistryhasmorereasontodespair
ofhim.Heforthtsohedidatesthusselectedas
theonlyavailableohusprovingthatheishimselfavailable
foranypurposesofthedemagogue.Hisvoteisofnomoreworth
thanthatofanyunprincipledfnerorhirelingnative,whomay
havebeenbought.Ohforamanwhoisaman,and,asmyneighbor
says,hasaboneinhisbackwhichyouotpassyourhand
through!Ourstatisticsareatfault:thepopulationhasbeen
reture.Howmanymeheretoasquarethousand
milesinthistry?Hardlyone.DoesnotAmericaofferany
iformelehere?TheAmerihasdwio
anOddFellow--onewhomaybeknownbythedevelopmentofhis
anariousness,andamalackofintelled
cheerfulself-reliance;whosefirstandchief,oning
intotheworld,istoseethatthealmshousesareingoodrepair;
and,beforeyethehaslawfullydohevirilegarb,tocollecta
fundforthesupportofthewidowsandorphansthatmaybe;who,in
shortveoliveonlybytheaidoftheMutualInsurance
pany,whichhaspromisedtoburyhimdetly.
Itisnotamansduty,asamatterofcourse,todevotehimself
totheeradicationofahemostenorm;hemay
stillproperlyhaveotherstoengagehim;butitishis
duty,atleast,towashhishandsofit,and,ifhegivesitno
thoughtlonger,nottogiveitpracticallyhissupport.IfIdevote
myselftootherpursuitsandplations,Imustfirstsee,at
least,thatIdonotpursuethemsittinguponanothermans
shoulders.Imustgetoffhimfirst,thathemaypursuehis
plationstoo.Seewhatgrossinsistencyistolerated.I
haveheardsomeofmytownsmensay,"Ishouldliketohavethem
ordermeouttohelpputdownaninsurreoftheslaves,orto
marexico;--seeifIwouldgo";aheseverymenhave
each,directlybytheirallegiandsoily,atleast,by
theirmoney,furnishedasubstitute.Thesoldierisapplaudedwho
refusestoserveinanunjustwarbythosewhodonotrefuseto
sustaintheunjustgoverwhichmakesthewar;isapplaudedby
thosewhoseownadauthorityhedisregardsanaught;
asifthestatewerepeothatdegreethatithiredoo
sceitwhileitsinned,butnottothatdegreethatitleftoff
sinningforamoment.Thus,uhenameofOrderandCivil
Gover,weareallmadeatlasttopayhomagetoandsupportour
ownmeanness.Afterthefirstblushofsisindifference;
andfromimmoralitbees,asitwere,unmoral,andnotquite
unnecessarytothatlifewhichwehavemade.
Thebroadestandmostprevalenterrorrequiresthemost
disiedvirtuetosustainit.Theslightreproachtowhich
thevirtueofpatriotismisonlyliable,thenoblearemost
likelytoincur.Thosewho,whiletheydisapproveofthecharacter
andmeasuresofagover,yieldtoittheirallegiand
supportareundoubtedlyitsmoststioussupporters,andso
frequentlythemostseriousobstaclestoreform.Someare
petitionietodissolvetheUnion,tardthe
requisitionsofthePresident.Whydotheynotdissolveit
themselves--theunioweenthemselvesae--and
refusetopaytheirquotaintoitstreasury?Donottheystandin
thesamerelationtotheState,thattheStatedoestotheUnion?
AndhavenotthesamereasoedtheStatefromresistingthe
Union,whichhaveprevehemfromresistie?
Howamaisfiedtoeainanopinionmerely,and
enjoyit?Isthereanyenjoymentinit,ifhisopinionisthathe
isaggrieved?Ifyouarecheatedoutofasingledollarbyyour
neighbor,youdosatisfiedwithknowingthatyouare
cheated,orwithsayingthatyouarecheated,orevenwith
petitioninghimtopayyouyourdue;butyoutakeeffectualstepsat
ooobtainthefullamount,ayouarenevercheated
again.Afromprinciple--theperceptionandtheperformance
ht--gesthingsaions;itisessentially
revolutionary,asistwhollywithanythingwhichwas.
Itnotonlydividesstatesandchurches,itdividesfamilies;ay,it
dividestheindividual,separatingthediabolihimfromthe
divine.
Unjustlawsexist;shallwebetenttoobeythem,orshallwe
endeavortoamendthem,ahemuntilwehavesucceeded,or
shallwetrahematonce?Mengenerally,undersucha
goverasthis,thinkthattheyoughttowaituntiltheyhave
persuadedthemajoritytoalterthem.Theythinkthat,ifthey
shouldresist,theremedywouldbeworsethantheevil.Butitis
thefaultofthegoverselfthattheremedyisworsethanthe
evil.Itmakesitworse.Whyisitnotmoreapttoanticipateand
provideforreform?Whydoesitnotcherishitswiseminority?Why
doesitdresistbeforeitishurt?Whydoesitnotence
itscitizenstobeonthealerttopointoutitsfaults,anddo
betterthanitwouldhavethem?WhydoesitalwayscrucifyChrist,
andexunicateCopernidLuther,andpronounceWashington
andFranklinrebels?
Onewouldthink,thatadeliberateandpracticaldenialofits
authoritywastheonlyoffeneverplatedbygover;
else,whyhasitnotassigsdefissuitableand
proportionate,penalty?Ifamanropertyrefusesbut
ooearnnineshillingsfortheState,heisputinprisonfora
periodunlimitedbyanylawthatIknow,aerminedonlybythe
discretionofthosewhoplacedhimthere;butifheshouldsteal
imesnineshillingsfromtheState,heissootedtoatlargeagain.
Iftheinjusticeispartofthenecessaryfriofthe
maeofgover,letitgo,letitgo;perceitwillwear
smooth--certainlythemaewillwearout.Iftheinjusticehas
aspring,orapulley,orarope,orak,exclusivelyfor
itself,thenperhapsyoumaysiderwhethertheremedywillnotbe
worsethantheevil;butifitisofsuaturethatitrequires
youtobetheagentofinjusticetoahen,Isay,breakthe
law.Letyourlifebeaterfritostopthemae.What
Ihavetodoistosee,atanyrate,thatIdonotlendmyselfto
thewrongwhin.
AsforadoptingthewayswhichtheStatehasprovidedfor
remedyingtheevil,Iknownotofsuchways.Theytaketoomuch
time,andamanslifewillbegone.Ihaveotheraffairstoattend
to.Icameintothisworld,notchieflytomakethisagoodplace
tolivein,buttoliveinit,beitgoodorbad.Amanhasnot
everythingtodo,butsomething;andbecauseheotdo
everything,itisnotnecessarythatheshoulddosomethingwrong.
ItisnotmybusiobepetitioningtheGovernororthe
Legislatureanymorethanitistheirstopetitionme;andifthey
shouldnothearmypetition,whatshouldIdothen?Butinthis
casetheStatehasprovidednoway;itsverystitutionisthe
evil.Thismayseemtobeharshandstubbornandunciliatory;
butitistotreatwiththeutmostkindnessandsiderationthe
onlyspiritthatappreciateordeservesit.Soisangefor
thebetter,likebirthahwhivulsethebody.
Idoatetosay,thatthosewhocallthemselves
Abolitionistsshouldatonceeffectuallywithdrawtheirsupport,
bothinpersonandproperty,fromthegoverofMassachusetts,
andnotwaittilltheystituteamajorityofone,beforethey
suffertherighttoprevailthroughthem.Ithinkthatitisenough
iftheyhaveGodontheirside,withoutwaitingforthatotherone.
Moreover,anymanmhtthanhisneighborsstitutesa
majorityofonealready.
ImeetthisAmerigover,oritsrepresentative,the
Stategover,directly,andfacetofaceayear--nomore
--inthepersonofitstax-gatherer;thisistheonlymodeinwhich
amansituatedasIamnecessarilymeetsit;anditthensays
distinctly,Reizeme;andthesimplest,themosteffectual,and,
inthepresentpostureofaffairs,theindispensablestmodeof
treatingwithitonthishead,ofexpressingyourlittle
satisfawithandloveforit,istodenyitthen.Mycivil
neighbor,thetax-gatherer,istheverymanIhavetodealwith--
foritis,afterall,withmenandnotwithpartthatIquarrel
--andhehasvoluntarilychosentobeaofthegover.
Howshallheeverknohatheisanddoesasanofficerofthe
gover,orasaman,untilheisobligedtosiderwhetherhe
shalltreatme,hisneighbor,forwhomhehasrespect,asaneighbor
andwell-disposedman,orasamaniaddisturberofthepeace,
andseeifhegetoverthisobstrutohisneighborliness
withoutaruderandmoreimpetuousthoughtorspeechcorresponding
withhisa?Iknowthiswell,thatifohousand,ifone
hundred,iftenmenwhomIcouldname--iftemenonly--
ay,ifoneHOman,inthisStateofMassachusetts,ceasingto
holdslaves,wereactuallytowithdrawfromthiscopartnership,and
belockedupinthetyjailtherefor,itwouldbetheabolition
ofslaveryinAmeriattersnothowsmallthebeginning
mayseemtobe:whatisoncewelldoneisdoneforever.Butwelove
bettertotalkaboutit:thatwesayisourmission.Reformkeeps
manyscoresofneersinitsservice,butnotoneman.Ifmy
esteemedneighbor,theStatesambassador,whowilldevotehisdays
tothesettlementofthequestionofhumanrightsinthecil
Chamber,insteadofbeingthreatehtheprisonsofCarolina,
weretositdowntheprisonerofMassachusetts,thatStatewhichis
soanxioustofoistthesinofslaveryuponhersister--thoughat
presentshediscoveronlyanactofinhospitalitytobethe
groundofaquarrelwithher--theLegislaturewouldnotwholly
waivethesubjectthefollowingwinter.
Underagoverwhichimprisonsanyunjustly,thetrueplace
forajustmanisalsoaprison.Theproperplaceto-day,theonly
placewhichMassachusettshasprovidedforherfreerandless
despondingspirits,isinherprisons,tobeputoutandlockedout
oftheStatebyherownact,astheyhavealreadyputthemselvesout
bytheirprinciples.Itistherethatthefugitiveslave,andthe
Mexiprisoneronparole,andtheIndiaopleadthewrongs
ofhisrace,shouldfindthem;onthatseparate,butmorefreeand
honorableground,wheretheStateplacesthosewhoarenotwith
her,butagaiheonlyhouseinaslaveStateinwhicha
freemanabidewithhonor.Ifanythinkthattheirinfluence
wouldbelostthere,andtheirvoiolongerafflicttheearof
theState,thattheywouldnotbeasanenemywithinitswalls,they
donotknowbyhowmuchtruthisstrohanerror,norhowmuch
moreeloquentlyandeffectivelyhebatinjusticewhohas
experiencedalittleinhisownperson.Castyourwholevote,nota
stripofpapermerely,butyourwholeinfluence.Aminorityis
powerlesswhileitstothemajority;itisnotevena
minoritythen;butitisirresistiblewhenitclogsbyitswhole
weight.Ifthealternativeistokeepalljustmeninprison,iveupwarandslav松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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