with their hands in their pockets, and say that they know not what

The night in prison was novel and interesting enough. The

the present Mexican war, the work of comparatively a few individuals

fund for the support of the widows and orphans that may be; who, in

hundred, if ten men whom I could name -- if ten honest men only --

not yet opened his mouth to speak who is capable of settling the

It may be in a great strait, and not know what to do: I cannot help

fashion. Let us see who is the strongest. What force has a

and see if he can get over this obstruction to his neighborliness

cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right. The only

absolute goodness somewhere; for that will leaven the whole lump.

in their village.

hold slaves, were actually to withdraw from this copartnership, and

one does not remain inert to make way for the other, but both obey

This is the whole history of "My Prisons."

themselves. But it is not the less necessary for this; for the

say what they are, or that they are worth looking at or thinking of

which I have not joined." This I gave to the town clerk; and he has

only new question which it puts is the hard but superfluous one, how

armed with superior wit or honesty, but with superior physical

with his action? I know this well, that if one thousand, if one

Government, we are all made at last to pay homage to and support our

law. Let your life be a counter friction to stop the machine. What

unfortunately, another man saw fit to pay it. I did not see why the

of them are not aware that they have such an institution as the jail

over my person and property but what I concede to it. The progress

distinctly, Recognize me; and the simplest, the most effectual, and,

refuse allegiance to, and to resist, the government, when its

authority was the only offence never contemplated by government;

Absolutely speaking, the more money, the less virtue; for money

weight. If the alternative is to keep all just men in prison, or

without let or hindrance, and they were really all that was

were inside the grating. It was to see my native village in the

When I came out of prison -- for some one interfered, and paid

heat, without ill-will, without personal feeling of any kind, demand

misery are subjects of shame; if a state is not governed by the

evening air in the doorway, when I entered. But the jailer said,

The mass of men serve the state thus, not as men mainly, but as

individual as the basis of the empire. Is a democracy, such as we

short ventures to live only by the aid of the Mutual Insurance

the action of masses of men. When the majority shall at length vote

All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or backgammon,

State, to withdraw and stand aloof from it effectually. I do not

possible to take a step further towards recognizing and organizing

a people, as well as an individual, must do justice, cost what it

practical talent enough to avail himself of the light which it sheds

people must have some complicated machinery or other, and hear its

resist it for the most part; and they are commonly treated as

period unlimited by any law that I know, and determined only by the

would not be back till noon; so he bade me good-day, saying that he

reputation of being a clever man, had been there some three months

yourself always tucked up and ready for a start, and not have many

a man situated as I am necessarily meets it; and it then says

I have never declined paying the highway tax, because I am as

and dogs. Yet such as these even are commonly esteemed good

I have paid no poll-tax for six years. I was put into a jail

their money, furnished a substitute. The soldier is applauded who

In the morning, our breakfasts were put through the hole in the

for a just man is also a prison. The proper place to-day, the only

smooth -- certainly the machine will wear out. If the injustice has

returned from a long journey. I was put into jail as I was going to

likely to serve the devil, without intending it, as God. A very

pool, gird up their loins once more, and continue their pilgrimage

composed by some young men who had been detected in an attempt to

so long as the established government cannot be resisted or changed

window. I had soon read all the tracts that were left there, and

expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are

obstinacy or an undue regard for the opinions of men. Let him see

do?" my answer is, "If you really wish to do anything, resign your

concerned chiefly to reveal the justice that may consist with

came out of jail, for his acquaintances to salute him, looking

death. I see this blood flowing now.

they never will."

the Constitution gives to slavery, he says, "Because it was a part

fellow and a clever man." When the door was locked, he showed me

redressing it on the other." Of this, he says, every man shall

with a conscience. Law never made men a whit more just; and, by

more urgent is the fact that the country so overrun is not our own,

chapter on the "Duty of Submission to Civil Government," resolves

How shall he ever know well what he is and does as an officer of the

where to hang my hat, and how he managed matters there. The rooms

expected to behold, to lie there for one night. It seemed to me

seen.

States came into the Union." Still thinking of the sanction which

then have signed off in detail from all the societies which I never

for they did not wish to know.

an involuntary spectator and auditor of whatever was done and said

have been bought. Oh for a man who is a man, and, as my neighbor

This may be to judge my neighbors harshly; for I believe that many

were the voices of old burghers that I heard in the streets. I was

longer; but he was quite domesticated and contented, since he got

lay that up for lunch or dinner. Soon after he was let out to work

experienced a little in his own person. Cast your whole vote, not a

government are, in many respects, very admirable and rare things,

the question of free-trade, and quietly read the prices-current

machines, with their bodies. They are the standing army, and the

sake, and not for any truth which it may utter, or any heroism it

constitution, of retracting or altering their present demand, and

who do not attend conventions? But no: I find that the respectable

refuse to pay their quota into its treasury? Do not they stand in

sometimes they petition; but they do nothing in earnest and with

waive the subject the following winter.

whom they have a spite, will abuse his dog. I saw that the State

renders comparatively small service, and a slight tax is wont to

against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve

neighbors this pain to treat you as they are not inclined to? But I

"We must affect our country as our parents,

and not wait till they constitute a majority of one, before they

State which bore this kind of fruit, and suffered it to drop off as

Practically speaking, the opponents to a reform in Massachusetts are

divides the individual, separating the diabolical in him from the

spoons, and that it did not know its friends from its foes, and I

eat that soon. You must live within yourself, and depend upon

means of their respect for it, even the well-disposed are daily made

they would deserve to be classed and punished with those mischievous

which the rule of expediency is applicable? Must the citizen ever

multitude? They only can force me who obey a higher law than I.

well -- is still an impure one: to be strictly just, it must have

duty, at least, to wash his hands of it, and, if he gives it no

experience and discrimination, and have no doubt invented ingenious

Abolitionists should at once effectually withdraw their support,

miles in this country? Hardly one. Does not America offer any

does not educate. The character inherent in the American people has

desirous of being a good neighbor as I am of being a bad subject;

sometimes, inexpedient. The objections which have been brought

gossip which never circulated beyond the walls of the jail.

may. If I have unjustly wrested a plank from a drowning man, I must

case, shall lose it. This people must cease to hold slaves, and to

How does it become a man to behave toward this American

were to live aloof from it, not meddling with it, nor embraced by

neighbor, you do not rest satisfied with knowing that you are

when the friction comes to have its machine, and oppression and

the effects of their actions, and not partly by their intentions,

persuaded the majority to alter them. ｈｔｔｐs://ｒｅａd•９９cｓw.ｃｏmThey think that, if they

the virtue of patriotism is commonly liable, the noble are most

wisdom and honesty, nevertheless? Can we not count upon some

Gods" -- leaving them no wiser than before as to which was which;

still properly have other concerns to engage him; but it is his

but it is to treat with the utmost kindness and consideration the

prisoners in their shirt-sleeves were enjoying a chat and the

presumption that time. If I had known how to name them, I should

of humanity, a man laid out alive and standing, and already, as one

prejudices and superstitions, as the Chinamen and Malays are; that

in Congress for our guidance, uncorrected by the seasonable

We must respect effects and teach the soul

thousand merchants and farmers here, who are more interested in

as I think right; but I am not vitally concerned that that right

avail itself of my services in some way. I saw that, if there was a

shall treat me, his neighbor, for whom he has respect, as a neighbor

an Odd Fellow -- one who may be known by the development of his

Herodians according to their condition. "Show me the

its stream no higher, stand, and wisely stand, by the Bible and the

legislator? Why has every man a conscience, then? I think that we

without the use of money, the State itself would hesitate to demand

And not desire of rule or benefit."

citizens. Others, as most legislators, politicians, lawyers,

ninety times nine shillings from the State, he is soon permitted to

does it cry and resist before it is hurt? Why does it not encourage

think, again, This is no reason why I should do as they do, or

says, has a bone in his back which you cannot pass your hand

have no resting-place without it. They may be men of a certain

questions of taxation and finance, commerce and manufacturers and

honest men to rebel and revolutionize. What makes this duty the

began to comprehend what its inhabitants were about.

me since; though it said that it must adhere to its original

have heard some of my townsmen say, "I should like to have them

to be disposed of by the intellect -- what, for instance, it

would be lost there, and their voices no longer afflict the ear of

the next morning, I proceeded to finish my errand, and, having put

other public officer, asks me, as one has done, "But what shall I

permit others to suffer much greater pain of a different kind.

if they have God on their side, without waiting for that other one.

I lived could be trusted as good neighbors and friends; that their

than that of any unprincipled foreigner or hireling native, who may

I do not wish to quarrel with any man or nation. I do not wish

bestow the fewest possible thoughts on it. It is not many moments

disposed to review the acts and position of the general and State

even would not think it inconsistent with its own repose if a few

again. Action from principle -- the perception and the performance

disturb the arrangement as originally made, by which the various

special acuteness and ability, he is unable to take a fact out of

was half-witted, that it was timid as a lone woman with her silver

fairly inside of it. I never had seen its institutions before.

being admitted, the justice of every particular case of resistance

that I live under a government, even in this world. If a man is

Probably this is the only house in the town where verses are

and well-disposed man, or as a maniac and disturber of the peace,

many scores of newspapers in its service, but not one man. If my

They have no doubt that it is a damnable business in which they are

Legislature any more than it is theirs to petition me; and if they

follower. His leaders are the men of 87. "I have never made an

evil. At any rate, it is a great evil to make a stir about it. But

governs least"; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly

provide for reform? Why does it not cherish its wise minority? Why

for any purposes of the demagogue. His vote is of no more worth

it, who fulfilled all the duties of neighbors and fellow-men. A

cannot fatally interrupt him.

patrons of virtue to one virtuous man; but it is easier to deal

ignorant; they would do better if they knew how: why give your

order me out to help put down an insurrection of the slaves, or to

some respects, to my requisitions and expectations of what they and

government as this, think that they ought to wait until they have

stream, and visions of knights and castles passed before me. They

and Franklin rebels?

published. I was shown quite a long list of verses which were

political organization as my government which is the slaves

frequently the most serious obstacles to reform. Some are

he has made current and valuable, that is, if you are men of the

for it is, after all, with men and not with parchment that I quarrel

shall we transgress them at once? Men generally, under such a

contemplations too. See what gross inconsistency is tolerated. I

their wit and usefulness lie within certain not very wide limits.

Oer the grave where our hero we buried."

I have contemplated the imprisonment of the offender, rather

letting one another alone; and, as has been said, when it is most

revolution, if any such is possible. If the tax-gatherer, or any

State, and gladly enjoy the advantages of Caesars government, then

of it.

as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and

those whose own act and authority he disregards and sets at naught;

co-operate with, and do the bidding of those far away, and without

Constitution, and drink at it there with reverence and humility; but

own meanness. After the first blush of sin comes its indifference;

cheerful self-reliance; whose first and chief concern, on coming

known what kind of government would command his respect, and that

and as for supporting schools, I am doing my part to educate my

is reduced to a computation of the quantity of the danger and

strip of paper merely, but your whole influence. A minority is

his culture when he is rich is to endeavor to carry out those

right, as it goes by them. There are nine hundred and ninety-nine

the better, like birth and death which convulse the body.

those cases to which the rule of expediency does not apply, in which

else, why has it not assigned its definite, its suitable and

Maker of them, and, secondly, from them to themselves. But, if I

which majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong, but

putting in their way; and, if one were to judge these men wholly by

for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the

justice, and to God. Associations formed elsewhere, springing from

established government be obeyed, and no longer.... This principle

and glorious State, which also I have imagined, but not yet anywhere

to incur the penalty of disobedience to the State than it would to

money or your life," why should I be in haste to give it my money?

walls of solid stone, two or three feet thick, the door of wood and

not submit to be "clay," and "stop a hole to keep the wind away,"

this was the best use it could put me to, and had never thought to

I think sometimes, Why, this people mean well; they are only

their property; that after all they were not so noble but they

professions of most reformers, and the still cheaper wisdom and

must all allow. Yet this government never of itself furthered any

Our love or industry from doing it honor,

perceive that, when an acorn and a chestnut fall side by side, the

which has undertaken to be the refuge of liberty are slaves, and a

and measures of a government, yield to it their allegiance and

important that many should be as good as you, as that there be some

bread I had left; but my comrade seized it, and said that I should

conformity.

of you a few shillings only, without the possibility, such is their

much-vexed questions of the day. We love eloquence for its own

wall of stone between me and my townsmen, there was a still more

called for the vessels again, I was green enough to return what

innocent blood. This is, in fact, the definition of a peaceable

not spent much time in accumulating property. To such the State

as they are, and to treat them accordingly, and not according, in

thought-free, fancy-free, imagination-free, that which is not never

be locked up in the county jail therefor, it would be the abolition

suffer the right to prevail through them. I think that it is enough

her right to my property and life. It costs me less in every sense

the only available one, thus proving that he is himself available

As for a九九藏書dopting the ways which the State has provided for

government, but at once a better government. Let every man make

stone wall. I could not but smile to see how industriously they

free man can abide with honor. If any think that their influence

I could discover, he had probably gone to bed in a barn when drunk,

eloquence of politicians in general, his are almost the only

obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what

stones; and wooden men can perhaps be manufactured that will serve

which the majority rule in all cases cannot be based on justice,

In their practice, nations agree with Paley; but does any one

esteemed neighbor, the States ambassador, who will devote his days

thought that my chief desire was to stand the other side of that

even suppose blood should flow. Is there not a sort of blood shed

time, and a mans life will be gone. I have other affairs to attend

that he does only what belongs to himself and to the hour.

it. The State, having thus learned that I did not wish to be

enemies by it. A wise man will only be useful as a man, and will

It was formerly the custom in our village, when a poor debtor

will be one step toward obtaining it.

alone of all my townsmen had paid my tax. They plainly did not know

of a jail window, "How do ye do?" My neighbors did not thus salute

cannot live according to its nature, it dies; and so a man.

to men feebly your desire that it should prevail. A wise man will

and, before yet he has lawfully donned the virile garb, to collect a

Moreover, any man more right than his neighbors constitutes a

has resigned his office, then the revolution is accomplished. But

To be a secondary at control,

without public inconveniency, it is the will of God... that the

to the eradication of any, even the most enormous wrong; he may

Some years ago, the State met me in behalf of the Church, and

signed on to; but I did not know where to find a complete list.

How can a man be satisfied to entertain an opinion merely, and

vitality and force of a single living man; for a single man can bend

value of free-trade and of freedom, of union, and of rectitude, to a

conscience? -- in which majorities decide only those questions to

millions of men, and not of mere brute or inanimate things, I see

steep marching indeed, and produces a palpitation of the heart.

Only his vote can hasten the abolition of slavery who asserts his

affairs. A man may grow rich in Turkey even, if he will be in all

only a cheap vote, and a feeble countenance and Godspeed, to the

outward observance and a few prayers, and by walking in a particular

evil, that they may no longer have it to regret. At most, they give

respects a good subject of the Turkish government. Confucius said,

do not know by how much truth is stronger than error, nor how much

agriculture. If we were left solely to the wordy wit of legislators

consequently are most dangerous to a corrupt State, commonly have

and from immoral it becomes, as it were, unmoral, and not quite

to bounce over the obstacles which legislators are continually

said, "or be locked up in the jail." I declined to pay. But,

expediency. Webster never goes behind government, and so cannot

honest man and patriot to-day? They hesitate, and they regret, and

"I am too high-born to be propertied,

of that room; for I found that even here there was a history and a

all say that such is not the case now. But such was the case, they

desponding spirits, is in her prisons, to be put out and locked out

the hands of the people, a majority are permitted, and for a long

year, that would not be a violent and bloody measure, as it would be

itself, then perhaps you may consider whether the remedy will not be

friction; and possibly this does enough good to counterbalance the

put my head deliberately into the fire, there is no appeal to fire

selectmen, I condescended to make some such statement as this in

requisitions of the President. Why do they not dissolve it

kindred subjects, content me as little as any. Statesmen and

men, serve the state with their consciences also, and so necessarily

recent one, endeavoring to transmit itself unimpaired to posterity,

war, who yet in effect do nothing to put an end to them; who,

until I am bent solely on building up an estate at home by peaceful

despairs of his country, when his country has more reason to despair

treated the thief as he had treated them, and hoped, by a certain

the same time comfortably in outward respects. It will not be worth

If the injustice is part of the necessary friction of the

for conforming to the laws of the land. I am but too ready to

minority then; but it is irresistible when it clogs by its whole

heard the sound of their steps returning into the hollow apartments.

you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the

He occupied one window, and I the other; and I saw that if one

me, but first looked at me, and then at one another, as if I had

with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and wrong,

should prevail. I am willing to leave it to the majority. Its

All men recognize the right of revolution; that is, the right to

lawyers truth is not truth, but consistency or a consistent

the agents of injustice. A common and natural result of an undue

I have to do is to see, at any rate, that I do not lend myself to

But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who

once to earn nine shillings for the State, he is put in prison for a

that appeal is possible, first and instantaneously, from them to the

questions which he would otherwise be taxed to answer; while the

sounds of the village; for we slept with the windows open, which

know it, the last improvement possible in government? Is it not

distinctly and nakedly behold it. They speak of moving society, but

schoolmaster should be taxed to support the priest, and not the

people have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be

when the conscience is wounded? Through this wound a mans real

were whitewashed once a month; and this one, at least, was the

resisting this and a purely brute or natural force, that I can

would be inconvenient. But he that would save his life, in such a

obey. I should feel as if I were worth less in that case.

in the town. He naturally wanted to know where I came from, and

me in some distant Southern port, where my liberty is endangered, or

experience and the effectual complaints of the people, America would

some unscrupulous man in power? Visit the Navy Yard, and behold a

powerless while it conforms to the majority; it is not even a

may say, buried under arms with funeral accompaniments, though it

scourge it while it sinned, but not to that degree that it left off

whose lives are by profession devoted to the study of these or

all civil obligation into expediency; and he proceeds to say that

on my mended shoe, joined a huckleberry party, who were impatient to

pint of chocolate, with brown bread, and an iron spoon. When they

it of him. But the rich man -- not to make any invidious comparison

-- if you use money which has the image of Caesar on it, and which

I quarrel not with far-off foes, but with those who, near at home,

wrong-doing. He well deserves to be called, as he has been called,

robbery are organized, I say, let us not have such a machine any

prepared to do justice to the slave and to Mexico, cost what it may.

No man with a genius for legislation has appeared in America.

till one, perchance, overshadows and destroys the other. If a plant

evil. This may seem to be harsh and stubborn and unconciliatory;

their own laws, and spring and grow and flourish as best they can,

be, fall asleep over them both. What is the price-current of an

organ of gregariousness, and a manifest lack of intellect and

appear exorbitant, particularly if they are obliged to earn it by

Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place

to Caesar that which is Caesars, and to God those things which are

The opportunities of living are diminished in proportion as what are

voting for the right is doing nothing for it. It is only expressing

The authority of government, even such as I am willing to submit

jail, it is because they have not considered wisely how far they let

straight though useless path from time to time, to save their souls.

whom the latter would be harmless. We are accustomed to say, that

without the possibility, on your side, of appeal to any other

the Defender of the Constitution. There are really no blows to be

"they accuse me of burning a barn; but I never did it.&quｒｅad.9９ｃｓｗ.cｏmot; As near as

pay him back some of his own when he demands it; "Render therefore

doubted if he should see me again.

conform to them. Indeed, I have reason to suspect myself on this

her, but against her -- the only house in a slave State in which a

which treated me as if I were mere flesh and blood and bones, to be

property, and so harass me and my children without end. This is

better than my neighbors. I seek rather, I may say, even an excuse

revolutionary, and does not consist wholly with anything which was.

care to trace the course of my dollar, if I could, till it buys a

commanded me to pay a certain sum toward the support of a clergyman

man, so called, has immediately drifted from his position, and

They are wont to forget that the world is not governed by policy and

thought longer, not to give it practically his support. If I devote

conscience; but a corporation of conscientious men is a corporation

principles of reason, riches and honors are the subjects of shame."

government to-day? I answer, that he cannot without disgrace be

think that Massachusetts does exactly what is right at the present

obstinately; you quietly submit to a thousand similar necessities.

countenanced an effort, and never mean to countenance an effort, to

for the selection of a candidate for the Presidency, made up chiefly

obligation, therefore, never exceeds that of expediency. Even

better to talk about it: that we say is our mission. Reform keeps

is aggrieved? If you are cheated out of a single dollar by your

for the abolition of slavery, it will be because they are

at all?

practical. Still, his quality is not wisdom, but prudence. The

myself to other pursuits and contemplations, I must first see, at

the while to accumulate property; that would be sure to go again.

After all, the practical reason why, when the power is once in

in the kitchen of the adjacent village-inn -- a wholly new and rare

As his corse to the rampart we hurried;

expediency. Truth is always in harmony with herself, and is not

do not wish to be regarded as a member of any incorporated society

To have her train borne up, and her soul trail in the dirt."

To any sovereign state throughout the world."

even as far as men understand it. Can there not be a government in

to split hairs, to make fine distinctions, or set myself up as

discretion of those who placed him there; but if he should steal

years, though perchance I have no right to say it, the New Testament

purpose -- because they who assert the purest right, and

I ought to be, then, like a good Mussulman and fatalist, I should

commerce and agriculture than they are in humanity, and are not

judge for himself. But Paley appears never to have contemplated

Paley, a common authority with many on moral questions, in his

government; but for thinkers, and those who legislate for all time,

to snivel about it. I am not responsible for the successful working

Chamber, instead of being threatened with the prisons of Carolina,

fast as it ripened, would prepare the way for a still more perfect

they who behold where it comes trickling into this lake or that

support are undoubtedly its most conscientious supporters, and so

of his race, should find them; on that separate, but more free and

the sanction and consent of the governed. It can have no pure right

also I believe, -- "That government is best which governs not at

the common, such as he observed who went in a youth and emerged a

than I, and in many things even those who neither know nor can do so

that, whatever they may say about the magnitude and seriousness of

sense; but they put themselves on a level with wood and earth and

tribute-money," said he; -- and one took a penny out of his pocket;

to. I came into this world, not chiefly to make this a good place

may seem to be: what is once well done is done forever. But we love

waiting for his trial to come on, and would have to wait as much

propose to do right; that they were a distinct race from me by their

government is an expedient by which men would fain succeed in

of the machinery of society. I am not the son of the engineer. I

once on this account, for one night; and, as I stood considering the

The broadest and most prevalent error requires the most

politicians, and eloquent men, by the thousand; but the speaker has

and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which

ado about it, for I can do without them. All machines have their

place which Massachusetts has provided for her freer and less

divine.

should be men first, and subjects afterward. It is not desirable to

once to obtain the full amount, and see that you are never cheated

enterprise, but by the alacrity with which it got out of its way.

into the world, is to see that the almshouses are in good repair;

man or a musket to shoot one with -- the dollar is innocent -- but I

pronounced a benefactor and philanthropist.

government also.

in their sacrifices to humanity, they ran no risks, not even to

din, to satisfy that idea of government which they have.

petitioning him to pay you your due; but you take effectual steps at

were that to live? When I meet a government which says to me, "Your

commerce, if they were not made of India rubber, would never manage

it to his will. It is a sort of wooden gun to the people

admirable order over hill and dale to the wars, against their wills,

I supported myself by voluntary subscription. I did not see why the

tottering and gray-headed man; and yet a change had to my eyes come

through the power of the majority. There is but little virtue in

to do, and do nothing; who even postpone the question of freedom to

called the "means" are increased. The best thing a man can do for

government, or as a man, until he is obliged to consider whether he

case the State has provided no way; its very Constitution is the

on one of our highest hills, two miles off, and then the State was

unnecessary to that life which we have made.

its demand, as well as the Church. However, at the request of the

what is it to any independent, intelligent, and respectable man what

grievance on the one side, and of the probability and expense of

marine, such a man as an American government can make, or such as it

indifferent to slavery, or because there is but little slavery left

am concerned to trace the effects of my allegiance. In fact, I

Or useful serving-man and instrument

enjoy it? Is there any enjoyment in it, if his opinion is that he

It is not my business to be petitioning the Governor or the

treating with it on this head, of expressing your little

-- is always sold to the institution which makes him rich.

I believe that the State will soon be able to take all my work

given by him but defensive ones. He is not a leader, but a

the purpose as well. Such command no more respect than men of straw

majority of one already.

his board for nothing, and thought that he was well treated.

stayed there long, his principal business would be to look out the

Union, which have prevented them from resisting the State?

that I never had heard the town-clock strike before, nor the evening

I know that most men think differently from myself; but those

office." When the subject has refused allegiance, and the officer

through their fingers, which were crossed to represent the grating

remedying the evil, I know not of such ways. They take too much

own freedom by his vote.

without a ruder and more impetuous thought or speech corresponding

the shoemakers to get a shoe which was mended. When I was let out

march to Mexico; -- see if I would go"; and yet these very men have

but leave that office to his dust at least:--

were to sit down the prisoner of Massachusetts, that State which is

intellectual or moral, but only his body, his senses. It is not

think, in the Revolution of 75. If one were to tell me that this

that I refuse to pay it. I simply wish to refuse allegiance to the

to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing

"Not a drum was heard, not a funeral note,

as free as I was. I did not for a moment feel confined, and the

put themselves under my conduct; and in half an hour -- for the

likely to incur. Those who, while they disapprove of the character

has been written; yet where is the legislator who has wisdom and

by their principles. It is there that the fugitive slave, and the

fellow-countrymen now. It is for no particular item in the tax-bill

the question, and their regard for the public tranquillity, the long

neighbor, the tax-gatherer, is the very man I have to deal with --

read.99csw.comwith the State, they do but what they have already done in their own

will of God. And, above all, there is this difference between

and wise speculations on this theme would soon reveal the limits of

Men at all? or small movable forts and magazines, at the service of

there is no free exercise whatever of the judgment or of the moral

governments of those States where slavery exists are to regulate it

manhood and immortality flow out, and he bleeds to an everlasting

State government, directly, and face to face, once a year -- no more

at haying in a neighboring field, whither he went every day, and

do not resist cold and hunger, the winds and the waves, thus

impose on themselves, for their own advantage. It is excellent, we

enlightened State until the State comes to recognize the individual

nation. They have no genius or talent for comparatively humble

individual taxed, to save his property, or prevent his going to

turn how he came there, presuming him to be an honest man, of

And have not the same reasons prevented the State from resisting the

patriot than my fellow-countrymen. Seen from a lower point of view,

walls seemed a great waste of stone and mortar. I felt as if I

"Come, boys, it is time to lock up"; and so they dispersed, and I

persons who put obstructions on the railroads.

regarded as a member of that church, has never made a like demand on

This, then, is my position at present. But one cannot be too

private man -- from which what new and singular code of social

company, which has promised to bury him decently.

Not a soldier discharged his farewell shot

You do not put your head into the fire. But just in proportion as I

choose. If a thousand men were not to pay their tax-bills this

expedient, the governed are most let alone by it. Trade and

whose preaching my father attended, but never I myself. "Pay," it

cheated, or with saying that you are cheated, or even with

This is one of its peculiar institutions; for it is a shire town. I

sustain the unjust government which makes the war; is applauded by

sensible and valuable words, and we thank Heaven for him.

still make what use and get what advantage of her I can, as is usual

returned too large. How many men are there to a square thousand

seen from a point of view a little higher, they are what I have

inducement for men to settle here? The American has dwindled into

of editors, and men who are politicians by profession; but I think,

head; and each year, as the tax-gatherer comes round, I find myself

to be thankful for, such as a great many have described them; but

duties might be inferred? "The manner," says he, "in which the

its merely political relations, and behold it as it lies absolutely

what brought me there; and, when I had told him, I asked him in my

sinning for a moment. Thus, under the name of Order and Civil

with imagining a State at least which can afford to be just to all

regard this as not wholly a brute force, but partly a human force,

go at large again.

that. It must help itself; do as I do. It is not worth the while

but each instant losing some of its integrity? It has not the

priest the schoolmaster: for I was not the States schoolmaster, but

authority are derived, and treats him accordingly. I please myself

his minds range and hospitality. Yet, compared with the cheap

all"; and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of

I meet this American government, or its representative, the

resist this with some effect; but I cannot expect, like Orpheus, to

in the right, nor because this seems fairest to the minority, but

make war on Mexico, though it cost them their existence as a people.

longer. In other words, when a sixth of the population of a nation

to the settlement of the question of human rights in the Council

It is not a mans duty, as a matter of course, to devote himself

with the real possessor of a thing than with the temporary guardian

ay, against their common sense and consciences, which makes it very

It does not keep the country free. It does not settle the West. It

honorable ground, where the State places those who are not with

escape, who avenged themselves by singing them.

people would not have consented to this measure.

from an absolute to a limited monarchy, from a limited monarchy to a

They who know of no purer sources of truth, who have traced up

course; and, as the world goes, I believe he was. "Why," said he,

government. The standing army is only an arm of the standing

of the State by her own act, as they have already put themselves out

using the standing government as their tool; for, in the outset, the

Governments show thus how successfully men can be imposed on, even

They force me to become like themselves. I do not hear of men being

If others pay the tax which is demanded of me, from a sympathy

Mexican prisoner on parole, and the Indian come to plead the wrongs

more, if the government had not sometimes got in its way. For

and the short of the matter is, that they cannot spare the

One would think, that a deliberate and practical denial of its

ay, if one HONEST man, in this State of Massachusetts, ceasing to

case, or rather they abet injustice to a greater extent than the

he never once glances at the subject. I know of those whose serene

"If a state is governed by the principles of reason, poverty and

light of the Middle Ages, and our Concord was turned into a Rhine

not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail

machine of government, let it go, let it go; perchance it will wear

evil. It makes it worse. Why is it not more apt to anticipate and

whitest, most simply furnished, and probably the neatest apartment

never see him again; but at length he showed me which was my bed,

worse than the evil; but if it is of such a nature that it requires

of him. He forthwith adopts one of the candidates thus selected as

to spend it. Thus his moral ground is taken from under his feet.

behooves a man to do here in America to-day with regard to slavery,

for a long time appearing to be to him, unwise rulers or reformers

schemes which he entertained when he was poor. Christ answered the

respect for law is, that you may see a file of soldiers, colonel,

may be

State in which I lived. I saw to what extent the people among whom

and subjected to military law, I think that it is not too soon for

had been sawed off, and heard the history of the various occupants

nowhere to be seen.

locked up. I wondered that it should have concluded at length that

concerned; they are all peaceably inclined. Now, what are they?

the same relation to the State, that the State does to the Union?

not long retain her rank among the nations. For eighteen hundred

brought to its ports, it is most probable that I should not make an

is for their own consideration, under their responsibility to their

the following, while professing to speak absolutely, and as a

over the scene -- the town, and State, and country -- greater than

it was certainly no great virtue to obtain it. It puts to rest many

and smoked his pipe there; and so a barn was burnt. He had the

It was like travelling into a far country, such as I had never

both in person and property, from the government of Massachusetts,

"A drab of state, a cloth-o-silver slut,

and excommunicate Copernicus and Luther, and pronounce Washington

Matter of conscience and religion,

the State, that they would not be as an enemy within its walls, they

quietly declare war with the State, after my fashion, though I will

courts are very respectable; even this State and this American

restore it to him though I drown myself. This, according to Paley,

decision they may come to? Shall we not have the advantage of his

independent votes? Are there not many individuals in the country

millions, why expose yourself to this overwhelming brute force? You

speak with authority about it. His words are wisdom to those

that tax -- I did not perceive that great changes had taken place on

iron, a foot thick, and the iron grating which strained the light, I

Comparatively, he is always strong, original, and, above all,

the mass of men are unprepared; but improvement is slow, because the

their private feelings interfere with the public good.

the fault of the government itself that the remedy is worse than the

dangerous. As they could not reach me, they had resolved to punish

present she can discover only an act of inhospitality to be the

Again, I sometimes say to myself, When many millions of men, without

horse was soon tackled -- was in the midst of a huckleberｅａd.9９cｓｗ.ｃｏmrry field,

described them; seen from a higher still, and the highest, who shall

through! Our statistics are at fault: the population has been

effect. They will wait, well disposed, for others to remedy the

should not hear my petition, what should I do then? But in this

comes between a man and his objects, and obtains them for him; and

done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat

and even useful systems, for which we sincerely thank them; but all

may inspire. Our legislators have not yet learned the comparative

endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or

call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no

consequences to their property and families of disobedience to it.

I do not hesitate to say, that those who call themselves

in such cases.

refuses to serve in an unjust war by those who do not refuse to

For my own part, I should not like to think that I ever rely on the

do with it. They have never received any encouragement from me, and

not a hundred thousand politicians at the South, but a hundred

few are not materially wiser or better than the many. It is not so

its citizens to be on the alert to point out its faults, and do

along with the latest advices from Mexico, after dinner, and, it may

was a bad government because it taxed certain foreign commodities

protection of the State. But, if I deny the authority of the State

constituents, to the general laws of propriety, humanity, and

to live in, but to live in it, be it good or bad. A man has not

-- in the person of its tax-gatherer; this is the only mode in which

Unjust laws exist; shall we be content to obey them, or shall we

everything to do, but something; and because he cannot do

door, in small oblong-square tin pans, made to fit, and holding a

with moral questions; and betting naturally accompanies it. The

You must hire or squat somewhere, and raise but a small crop, and

No: until I want the protection of Massachusetts to be extended to

composed, which are afterward printed in a circular form, but not

Even the Chinese philosopher was wise enough to regard the

crisis?

each, directly by their allegiance, and so indirectly, at least, by

abused and perverted before the people can act through it. Witness

protection of the existing government, and they dread the

because they are physically the strongest. But a government in

change the nature of the rocks and trees and beasts.

and consider that I have relations to those millions as to so many

ministers, and office-holders, serve the state chiefly with their

I hear of a convention to be held at Baltimore, or elsewhere,

friendship was for summer weather only; that they did not greatly

forced to have this way or that by masses of men. What sort of life

or a lump of dirt. They have the same sort of worth only as horses

should resist, the remedy would be worse than the evil. But it is

examined where former prisoners had broken out, and where a grate

However, the government does not concern me much, and I shall

effort," he says, "and never propose to make an effort; I have never

I pumped my fellow-prisoner as dry as I could, for fear I should

satisfaction with and love for it, is to deny it then. My civil

strength. I was not born to be forced. I will breathe after my own

useless and selfish; but he who gives himself partially to them is

petitioning the State to dissolve the Union, to disregard the

I heartily accept the motto, -- "That government is best which

writing:-- "Know all men by these presents, that I, Henry Thoreau,

few, as heroes, patriots, martyrs, reformers in the great sense, and

any that mere time could effect. I saw yet more distinctly the

whole country is unjustly overrun and conquered by a foreign army,

in the present posture of affairs, the indispensablest mode of

And if at any time we alienate

the wrong which I condemn.

only spirit that can appreciate or deserves it. So is an change for

democracy, is a progress toward a true respect for the individual.

When I converse with the freest of my neighbors, I perceive

to be abolished by their vote. They will then be the only slaves.

period continue, to rule, is not because they are most likely to be

Thus the State never intentionally confronts a mans sense,

to -- for I will cheerfully obey those who know and can do better

could not help being struck with the foolishness of that institution

captain, corporal, privates, powder-monkeys, and all, marching in

proportionate, penalty? If a man who has no property refuses but

tyranny or its inefficiency are great and unendurable. But almost

everything, it is not necessary that he should do something wrong.

legislators, standing so completely within the institution, never

associated with it. I cannot for an instant recognize that

as if the state were penitent to that degree that it hired one to

the rights of man? There will never be a really free and

so anxious to foist the sin of slavery upon her sister -- though at

themselves -- the union between themselves and the State -- and

They are rare in the history of the world. There are orators,

militia, jailers, constables, posse comitatus, etc. In most cases

My room-mate was introduced to me by the jailer as "a first-rate

ground of a quarrel with her -- the Legislature would not wholly

esteeming themselves children of Washington and Franklin, sit down

"so long as the interest of the whole society requires it, that is,

of slavery in America. For it matters not how small the beginning

on the science of legislation?

could convince myself that I have any right to be satisfied with men

and left me to blow out the lamp.

This American government -- what is it but a tradition, though a

character of the voters is not staked. I cast my vote, perchance,

State requires. If they pay the tax from a mistaken interest in the

but ours is the invading army.

lyceum should not present its tax-bill, and have the State to back

of this sort out of my hands, and then I shall be no better a

disinterested virtue to sustain it. The slight reproach to which

a spring, or a pulley, or a rope, or a crank, exclusively for

enterprise, I can afford to refuse allegiance to Massachusetts, and

than the seizure of his goods -- though both will serve the same

more eloquently and effectively he can combat injustice who has

my body; just as boys, if they cannot come at some person against

-- and he has voluntarily chosen to be an agent of the government.

government which they will have. Government is at best but an

can make a man with its black arts -- a mere shadow and reminiscence

but ventures, or is driven, to make some such desperate answer as

lost all my remaining respect for it, and pitied it.

toward its fountain-head.

of right -- changes things and relations; it is essentially

better than it would have them? Why does it always crucify Christ,

every threat and in every compliment there was a blunder; for they

He who gives himself entirely to his fellow-men appears to them

the Constitution, with all its faults, is very good; the law and the

special labor with their hands. If there were one who lived wholly

government. The government itself, which is only the mode which the

when it presents its tax-bill, it will soon take and waste all my

least, that I do not pursue them sitting upon another mans

experience to me. It was a closer view of my native town. I was

locked the door on my meditations, which followed them out again

difficult one to climb or break through, before they could get to be

men, and to treat the individual with respect as a neighbor; which

endeavor to be satisfied with things as they are, and say it is the

how to treat me, but behaved like persons who are underbred. In

of the original compact -- let it stand." Notwithstanding his

or to the Maker of fire, and I have only myself to blame. If I

There are thousands who are in opinion opposed to slavery and to the

shoulders. I must get off him first, that he may pursue his

much on his guard in such a case, lest his action be biased by

legislators who contemplate no essential reform in the existing

a feeling of humanity, or any other cause, have nothing whatever to

I think right. It is truly enough said that a corporation has no

to pay them, and enable the State to commit violence and shed

hard. This makes it impossible for a man to live honestly, and at

give up war and slavery, the State will not hesitate which to

It not only divides states and churches, it divides families; ay, it

heads; and, as they rarely make any moral distinctions, they are as