The New York herald., 1844-10-25


the staff Of the renowned Brigader-General, Geo.
p Morris. Price of the whole, only 81 cents.
New Element I'm the Field-the Bible In
the Election.
BY far the most Interesting fact developed in the
present contest, is the introduction OF the Bible
into the field of political conflict; and the extraor-
binary influence which that new and singular ele-
ment exercises at this moment Amongst all the
" signs of the tines which present themselves to
the intelligent observer of passing events, there is
none which is so calculated to excite profound
and serious attention as this. The cry Of . the
Bible!' "he Bible - does, indeed, fall strangely
ON the ear, as the watchword of political facton
and when we find that sacred volume elevated as
the Shibboleth OF party, in the middle Of the nine
teenth century, and in the chief cities of republI-
can America, we may surely well pause to reflect
on the causes which have produced this strange
condition of things, and the consequences, social,
religious and political, which are likely to follow
When we see the Bible thus adopted as the sym
boil OF party-borne in professions marching to
party tunes, through our streets--appealed to by
vehement orators, amid the shouts and blasphe
mics of crowds IN our public squares-loudy
avowed by cand dates for office as their guide and
TulcT-Wc
century, when the fierce struggle took place be-
tween the Romish hierarchy, and the pioneers Of
that mighty religious and political revolution, the
Reformation-by which the barriers, which for
ages had imprisoned the mind of Christendom,
were unlocked, and the spirit OF free inquiry SET
free. We cannot help reverting to that
when Martin Luther, with portion Of his
translation of the Bible in his hand, met una
Dashed the whole hierarchy OF Rome, and shook
Germany to its uttermost extremitles-when Cal
win with the same Bible in his hanu, commenced,
amid the mountains and lakes of Switzerland, the
same vast movement annihilating all the boasted
power of the church, and kindling fame never TO
be extngulshed-and when John Knox, in Scot
land, with the same sacred book gave the dynas-
ty OF the Stuarts an rrscoverable blow, revolution
zed the whole OF that great EMPIRE and prepared the
way for the establishment OF Cromwell's shortlived
but extraordinary republic, which, however, i'm
pressed new character upon the civil institutions
Of that land, and gave to America those heroic
men, of iron nerve and indomtabe will, who laid
broad and firm, the foundations of our liberties
Il was this volume--this Bible, which in the
which we now allude, revolutionized the ancient
world-delivered men from the thraldom of the
church-gave to civil government new character
--and spread light and liberty amongst the people
II has been the same spirit which then evoked
the same agency-the same Bible, that has
made America what it is-that has converted the
hnwing wilderness into the peaceful abode Of civil
ilzatIon, that has planted amid the solemn old
woods of this western world, those great principles
Of civil and religious liberty, which have now at
tanned superiority and strength that bid defiance
to any foe.
Such then is the powerful element-ihe mighty
instrumentaliy OF revolution and strength, (which
has now been introduced into the field Of political
conflict And why The causes OF its introduction
are well known. Some of the conservators OF
the public schools of this city, in order to crafty
small section of the community, undertook
TO exclude the sac ed volume from the seminaries
provided by an intelligent and thoughtful popular
government for the education of the youth Of the
land. This they did in obedience to the mandates
of portion of the Romish hierarchy, in their
opposition to the Bible, who have exhibited in this
the nineteenth century, precisely the same spirit
which kinded the fires of Smithfeld and the
Grass market, and whitened the hills Of Piedmont
with the bones Of ten thousand martyrs. In Pro-
testant community, these men have attempted 20
dictate the manner in which our children are to
the most extraordinary up-heavings of the popular
feeling and sentiment which this age has yet wit
messed. In obedience to the rallying cry of ''the
Bbe"-"the Bible," thousands are mastering; and
created by that means, party now appears before
fully organised, possessed of all the elements Of
triumph, and absolutely holding in their hands the
decision Of the great question of the next Presi-
dency of this mighty republic.
is notthis indeed extraordinary state of thingsl
Is there not indeed much in all this to excite as.
tonishment, reflection, and conjecurel The SIM
pie watchword of "the Blble"-a few earnest ap-
peas in favor of that little volume-have done more
to alter the complexion of political affairs, and ex-
erclse at this moment mghter influence in the
fortunes and fate Of the Presidential candidates,
than all the complicated and elaborate organza.
tion-all the well arranged schemes-all the despe.
rate efforts OF the two great and powerful factions
OF the country for years past! The tarff-sub-
Ireasury--Te -disniburon--b bank nk-locofoco-
yntCtu tuvVr--( (tl..,,a MI