either that resistance must be crushed, or the government must be
overturned. There is no middle way--there can be none. In such a
case the whole authority and power of the government come into
direct hostility and conflict with the violence which resists the
execution of Law; and government must crush that violence, or that
violence must crush the government. A government is at an end, a
nullity, when it cannot execute its laws. Let it be carefully
remembered also, that violent resistance to Law cannot be justified,
when there is no righteous design to overthrow the government
itself; for no man owes a _half_-allegiance to government, or can
commit a _half_-high-treason; and besides, Law is too important and
delicate a thing to have its majesty trifled with, by the wicked
nonsense of a _half_-obedience. Let it be carefully remembered also,
that violent resistance to Law cannot be justified, when there is no
fair prospect of overthrowing the government, and being able to
establish a better one. To justify violent resistance to the laws,
it is not enough that the government is unjust and its laws
unrighteous; it is necessary also, that there should be no good
ground to hope for a cessation of that unrighteousness in some
peaceful way, and that there should be a prospect of some good to be
gained by the resistance, which good shall be worth more than all
the labor, and treasure, and strife, and blood, which the revolution
shall cost. Let it be carefully remembered, too, that violent
resistance on any one point is rebellion on every point, for "he
that offendeth in one point is guilty of all:" such resistance is
opposition by force to one entire government--is just a conflict
with the powers that be; so that any resisting individual or number
of individuals who commence a violent resistance on any one point,
have cast off their allegiance to the entire government, and stand
in the attitude of open and hostile rebellion.