The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-03


From the foundation of Christianity almost
down the year of our Lord, 1916, the clergy, in
al countries, have entailed upon the human fi-
mily much misery, by intermeddling with
State affairs and politics, as they have conferred
happiness by their efforts in their appropriate
sphere. II is unnecessary to refer TO any particu-
lar age or country in proof OF this II stands re-
corded in letters OF blood on the history OF every
country, and every people
The patriotic founders OF our glorious consttu-
ton and government, had seen :, Z Sssasd enough
oil the evils the clergy intermtaellng in politics,
and with that foresight and prudence which char
actcrzed the patriots of the times of l776, they de-
,crmmed, as far IN them lay, that the viper
should not raise its head on the Western CONT
nent They therefore wisely separated church
from State; and by the organic law of the country,
declared that all persuasions and sects should be
equal and on par with each other The country
and religion have prospered under this wise pro-
vision. All sects of Christians have full scope
70 propagate their principles, and make many
converts as they can. OF late years, however,
there has been exhibited by portion of the most
violent ofthe Episcopal and Catholic church minis
tiers, desire to mngle their religious instruction
with the politics of the day-to mingle the saving
of souls with the electing of particular locofoco or
wing candidates, for some Interior purposes of
their own. This travelling out of the record, as
the lawyers say, has been attempted by both Ca
thollc and dissenting clergymen, and has been
productive of horrible carnage and conflagrations
i'll different parts of the United States. We have,
on many occasions, as was the duty of the pro-
prietor of an independent press, denounced the
conduct of those clergymen, and in return, we
have been read out of church from the pulpit.
But all the pains and penalties which these clergy
men imagined they inflicted upon.us, have not de-
tered us from pursuing our duty in this respect.
We shall continue to do it, Notwithstanding all at
tempts to silence
A few months since, several of the clergy I'M
dertook toccnsure, implicitly, from their pulpits,
the course of the administration, in not bringing
the Oregon question to a close without endangcr-
ing the continuance OF peace between England
and the United States. Although Mr.. Polk has
shown himself bungler in his conduct on that
question, it was for the people to decide upon his
conduct, and not for the clergy, whose time, if
they performed their duty, would be fully EN-
ployed in healing the sick, ministerng to the ia
,herlcss and afflicted, and saving the souls of their
regaiions-occupatons which, by the by,
seem to be overlooked by the sensitive. refined
and gentlemany ministers of the present day.
Notwithstanding the disrepute in which these
gentry have brought themselves by their be-
havior, we perceive that the press has not yet ac-
complished its work. We find ourselves again
called upon Ito censure distinguished, though
violent and bigoted, clergyman of the Epis-
copa church, who has been endeavoring, i'll sly
way, 10 promote the success ofthe wing ticket for
The convention. The gentleman i'll question is
well known as an uncompromisng enemy TO the
present administration and has OH other occasions
done his utmost to prejudice the people against it.
In a late number of the Evangelist, he impresses
upon his readers the importance of exercising the
right Of suffrage, after the following style =
Thc supineness of regard to this duty is very
surprising Christian who will not vote Is, far
forth, traitor to his country II men Will not carry
christianity into their politics, how they expect poll
teal affairs go right Scarce question Of great inn
portance the interests of country can up but
what would be settled Alright if all the Christians and
Christian ministers country would invariably
We fear the conscences Of many need enlghtcnng and
viii suffer him to neglect voting without chassement
Is will be loose conscience in other things besides that
men OF God must pray more for their country But
IL IL be duty pray. il Is also a duty to vote What
consistency is there between asking Of God the gift Of
good men for our rulers and then leaving to bad the
whole work Of eectng them Or what consistency be-
tween praying for good men, and voting for We
fear that Christian ministers do set they ought the
example of Christian athfulness In this duty of voting
Thousands vote our country who ought not and thou
sands do not vote who ought Between them both our
dearest interests may be sacrificed"
Now, with all due Difference to this talented di-
vine, we must say, that Christianity has nothing
10 do with politics; and further, that if he attend
ed to his duties as Christian minister, he would
not have time to write on politics at all, connect
ed or unconnected with Christianity. His views
of Christianity do not correspond with those of
other persuasions; and until the whole world adj
mits his to be the only true doctrine, and his
views of Christianity the only correct ones, the
gentleman might employ his time to a better pur-
pose than gratuitously interfering with that which
ought not to concern him.
This interference of the clergy in politics must
be put down. There is no alternative; for five
expect to enjoy the benefits from our constitution
and laws, the ministers Of all churches must be
kept within their proper bounds. We care no
thing for any mans politics or any mans religion
He can pray and vote as he plcases; but those
sleek and well paid parsons, let politics alone
in their clerical discourses.
one of the leaders among the bam-burners-onc
of the democratic chqnes in the Scnate-has been
defeated in his election, as member for the State
Convention. The defeat of this old politician has
created good deal of groaning among the barn
burners, but as much rejoicing among the old