Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-06-26
From the U. s.. Gazette.
DIsUNION OF PARTS.

II 10 not often that the movements OIL
religious bodies in this country have, in
our opinion, any such bearing upon great
national interests, % to call for public AMI
madvsrsion. 1t is 10 be presumed that IN
promoting religion, they increase virtue,
and that is the desirable element in real
politics; bu, it does not follow, that there
is thence any thing TO attract to these
bodies the direct consideration of that
portion Of the public. that have not an i'm
mediate interest in the religious questions
discussed and decided by these Conven-
tons. But Of late, . new feature has
been presented, and, in our opinion, much
of public interest is connected Herewith.
The question Of slavery, at oil .mes vex-
atious, has been sgitated in the national
assemblsges Of three very important reli-
gious denominations of the country, two
of which seem unable to resist the distur.
bling influences. and are likely to separate
making the line that distinguishes between
the free States and the earnestly sdhering
slave. holding States, the demarkatlon be-
tween the two divided parties. Mr.. Clay,
in recent letter to member OF the
Methodist clerical body, expressed his APP
prehension that such division would have
q bad influence upon the condition Of our
people, and disturb the harmony existing
among the States. Mr.. Clay's fears are,
in our opinion, well founded, and, there.
fore, we mos, earnestly and heartily de-
plore the action OF the Baptist and Metbo-
dist assemblies, that leads to this kind of
division in action of these numerous and
respectable bodies Of christians. We are
not now abiding to the question itself,
upon which the division is to occur, nor
to any other opinion, view OF principle,
or Disc 2line, that may create differences
Of opinion, and promote discussion among
them. These are questions which con.
Germ the denominations. But we regard
the question in national light; and while
we think we see, we cannot fail to de-
plore the fact, viz: that the separation OF
such strong bonds of denomnational in.
,erests, and such strong common attach
ments to persons and places, and, espe-
cially, the breaking up of cordial, social,
and religious intercourse, must be mos.
injurously operative upon the union OF
the States.
We are apt TO overlook the tenuty OF
the bands by which political and social
compacts are held together, and how
much the political concord, and contn.
ued unity, are derived from personal in.
terests, domestic and social relations, and
especially the strong ties ofparty and de-
nominational attachments. But whether
acknowledged or not, it is most true, that
the compact OF the States is greatly sus.
tanned by some social, domestic, or rell-
gious association; and single marriage,
the marriage of some southern gentleman
with some northern lady, may be the last
tie which resisis the tendencies to separa-
ton, and thus the union of two persons
may be safeguard for the union OF the
States. May heaven grant US many such
unions for the sake of;he Union" How
much more the strong fellowship, the con.
cert OF prayer and action, Of these religious
denominations. 1t will be said, perhaps,
that it is better that the separation should
take place, than that the consciences of
christians should be irrItated. OF course
that is true. But we are speaking ofthese
divisions not with regard TO the effect on
members, nor of their religious bearing,
but simply in national view, and with a
constant reference to the perpetuation Of
tho olo,ious hmm
| In this view of the cass we think, as
patriots, that the dissolution Of the con.
nection Of religious denominations, sep
aration, especially, by geographical limits
must be regarded as deplorable. The
cause assigned is likely long to exist. 1t
has embittered feelings, and created DIS
sentions in almost ell other relations; and
extending now into religious connections,
it NAV hereafter receive that strength
which religious zeal, and strong conscien-
clous dictations usually impart, and be-
come an insuperable barrier, or on impas-
sable gulf, between those who are born
brethren.
| 3D. ~ n NJ TrNpru ANcr The aRuck.