If to you death seems
better than slavery, then refuse not to die--whether on the
way-side, at your own threshold, or even as a felon upon the
gallows. Defend your liberty and the liberty of your wife and
children, as you would defend your life and theirs against the
assassin. If you die thus, you die nobly, and your blood shall be
the redemption of your race. Should you destroy the life of your
assailant, you will pass into the custody of the criminal Law ...
under an indictment for murder; but the verdict of the community,
and the verdict of almost any jury will be, justifiable homicide in
self-defense.... Or should a different verdict be found, and you be
condemned to die as a murderer, your ignominious death shall be
luminous with the halo of a martyr, and your sacrifice shall be for
the deliverance of your people."
Such are the _religious_ principles, and such is the _religious_
advice of these _religious_ ministers!
I am sorry to see this. _I never read more wicked and abominable
principles!_ They deserve not only the reprehension of every
Christian, but the entire indignation of _all civilized mankind_!
They advise private arming with bloody weapons--they advise violent
resistance and murder--the murder of officers of civil Law engaged
in the discharge of the duty which they have sworn to perform! I
have no words to express my abhorrence of these wicked and
outrageous sentiments, so directly contrary to the whole nature of
all civilized society, to the precepts of the Bible, and the whole
spirit of Christianity! I speak not of the _men_.
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