Page:The collected works of Theodore Parker volume 7.djvu/278

274 have more now than you know how to use." Failing in this attempt, what was to be done that tho law might be executed? Two things must be done: a fake idea must persuade the people to allow it to be done; base men must be found to do it. A word upon each point.

I. The false idea is set on foot, that the people are morally bound to obey any law which is made until it is repealed. General Haynau wrote a letter, not long ago, to the subalterns in the Austrian army, and thus quoth he:—"You are bound to obey the law. It is none of your business whether the law is constitutional or not; that is our affair." So went it with our officer* here. We are told that there is "no such thing as a higher law;" no rule of conduct better than that enacted by the law of the land." Conscience is only to tell you to keep the statutes. Religion consists in "fearing God and serving the king." You are told that religion bids you to "fear God and keep the commandments," no matter what these commandments may be. No matter whether it be King Ahab, or King Peter the Gruel: you are told,—"Mr. Republican, what right have you to question the constitutionality or justice of anything? Your business is to keep the law." Religion is a very, excellent thing, quotes Mr. Webster, except when it interferes in politics; then it makes men mad It is instructive to see the different relations which religion has sustained to law, at different, periods of the world's history. At some other time I may dwell more at length upon this; now I will say but one word. At the beginning, religion takes precedence of law. Before there is any human government, man bows himself to the soured of law, and accepts his rule of conduct from his God, By and by, some more definite rule is needed, and wise men make human laws ; but they pretend to derive these from a Divine source. All the primitive lawgivers, Moses, Minos, Zaleuous, Numa, and the rest, speak in the name of God. For a long time, law comes up to religion for aid and counsel. At length law and religion, both imperfect, are well established in society, religion being the elder sister; both act as guardians of mankind. Institution after institution rises up, all of them baptized by religion and confirmed