Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-08-13
The Vermont Patriot, vs.. The Clergy.

The editor Of the Vermont Patriot devoes nearly col
umn Of his last paper to structures upon article headed
1.-THE ,, dehl Clergy, which published in the PhGnS
of July 23d rejecting upon that portion Of the Democrat
press which has it, in especial nannet to single
the clergy the object OF It's vlupera,on and abuse
We RETAINED from noticing these attacks for long time
their first appearance, not believing that any resPeeta
BILE portion OF the Locofoco press would seriously attempt
10 manufacture political capital BY such unwarrantsble
means but mistaken. Thinking that the interests
Of the party might thereby be advanced in other words
that few more votes mig be obtained by administering
cordial the depyed aPpcies Of the lowest dreg' Of so
Getty they have hcaied to do it, regardless OF the iu
furious consequences public morals which must neyita
bly, follow
w. had no, intended uude 10 this subject again, and
only do for the purpose Of setting the editor OF the
Patriot right two points IN which, It appears 10
u.s. he has purposely msepeienied The purpo Of
marks 10 the frat place he makes lsbored effort
vey the readers that advocate the doctrine Of
the Instability Of the clergy and that they not 10 be
held responsible for iheii "Whst (says the Par
o attempt shield class Of from the responsibility
their actions who equally accountable TO their
their country and their God with ourselves p
The editor the Patriot well knows that have sdvsne
ed no such doctrine lie is entirely indebted to his
fertile una gnsor for this "man Of straw which has
him 80 much labor demolish. Indeed his whole srgu
based upon assumptions equally groundless and
fair. We have only To refer him 10 the original article
the Phqnix where he will find the following smong othe
Of similar import "lf it shall be found that In
clergy have proved false to their trust and become
uP, let them be held up in their true lgh, that all maj
know them % they are and knowing, shun them. n
wolf in sleeps clothing should be suffered make hi
priesty robe q cloak with which 10 up inquy.
Does this look like "Attempt 10 shield the clergy fon
the responsibility Of their aetons The EDITOR anhPaih)
the clerical profession be unusually violent indeed
since he finds for eondemning such expressions
10 conflict moot seriously with the Patriots notions
upon this subject contained in the following paragraph
We reprn, entire that readers may Judge for them
selves how Ear in the wrong and the Patriot IN the
right.
"This subject should receive than passing notice
Discountensuee the accredited tsGehsrs Of religion aud
morality. and you dseounisnsnce religion and morslty
the mselyes and certainly nothing but the positive
denee of derrlction from duty justify any pol
cal faction in making upon them. II these things
suffered 90 on difficult TO predict the consequent
The ignorant and the young ready 10 catch
al any excuse for usnsgFessng the well known laws Of
virtue morality and let thrm be taught dcspise
the teachers Of these laws and the laws themselves will be
the next object OF their contempt The moral honesty Of
any party which does hesitate make Of such
means for political effect, is surely TO be suspected
Would the editor Of the Patriot have make upon
the clergy ,rih0u evidence Of dereeton from duty J.
would from the Of his criticisms upon Thu
paragraph and the example he has before We ad.
admitted then, and admit now that ocrgymen should
be held TO strct accountability We would grant them
exclusive privileges in this respect All nded Tor
that, Tor political effect the public press should
hold them up before the eyes Of the young and vicious
objects of and derson ehout eausshat sweeping
demonstrations should not be made against this highly
spectacle and influential class Of fellow citizens without
proof that they in the wrong, because ofsooih they
feel constrained by OF duty 10 speak against certain
political account Of their immoral tendencies
The only question with clergyman respects any
ure, whether political not should be- is utoag-ish
siEhf If an affirmative given, duty points
but path in which he walk and the time
maintain his claims to respect faithful minister Of the
gospel Neither the Patriot any other Of the Locofoeo
papers which have engaged in this warfare against the cer.
gy has attempted TO prove that ceTgymcn have improperly
nierered in any political matter except where question
Of morality has arisen in such it is their duty well
as privilege to interfere.
But says the Patriot 1--WE think in this editorial Of
the Ph@nix desire revive the old cry, all the deceney
and religion and disposition to enlist the feelings of the
Presssdiy religious community against the Democratic
party All indeedths then is the secret Of the Patriots
troubles. We deny having any such intention in what
have said respecting the clergy but admitting that
had, which the honorable, to advance sentiments
and advocate doctrines which meet the appreciation Of the
religious moral and vrluous portion Of the community
to rSnder to the dePaved appees Of the abandoned and
Prohgute We repeat
"The moral honesty Of any party, which does not hes