Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-09-17
From the Augusta, Maine, Argus.
Federal Clergy.


OF all the moral traitors which this country has
ever produced, none have been shameless, de-
based, and reckless those belonging 10 the clerical
profession. In the last with Great Britain. when
our nation was struggling for its existence with n
gigantic foe, we found large portion of the clergy
(there were honorable exceptions 1t is truc) open
mouthed in their praises of the enemy, and shame
lessy preaching treason against their country. No
cpithet too base (and no class of men can apply
base eplthets with such facility debased cegymen)
TO be used against the government In that war. The
federal clergy WED with and ou:stripped In vitu-
peration the most heated federal partisans. In this
REASONABLE crusade against their country, they lost
the respect of all patriotic men, and much of their in
fuence with the people. The pety and honesty of
men who Islander and defame their own government
may well be called in question. The ability of men
10 do good, who thus indulge their evil passion, is
entirely out Of the question.
Some of the clergy of the present day seem ambi-
lous even TO oustrip their predecessors of the time
OF the last war In their malignant assaults upon the
government and their traitorous advice to the people
II these gentlemen, In the spirit of their ProeSSed
lgon, will exert their influence to assuage the evils
OF war, or to inculcate love of peace-if they will
conform themselves to the Legitimate duties of their
profession, and strive BY precept and example to teach
men to cherish the spirit of christianity, they will
command the respect of people. But when they
so far forget their true position in society TO enter
the field of political strife and become the base SLAM
they expect TO receive, they will merit, only
the contempt of mankind.
The following extracts from resolves passed at the
conference of Unitarian Clergymen, holden in Boston,
May ~ 1916, published in the Boston Courier of
May %, show pretty clearly the lying and tratorous
spirit with which those who controlled that meeting
were actuated. Men must have become singularly
reckless. could have sanctioned such statements
and sentiments.
Thc position in which of Massachusetts, placed
by the action of the executive of the Union and
by the acQuescence Of chief magistrate in that
action appears from the address he has made TO the pe0
and expose this deep danaafi Of is caT in which on
fathers and brothers and sons ae called to enlist
Recent however have dsabused of this eIor
and have learned loirh shame
even before the Tequlsition from the President made
public poiuneered their services 10 dd IN carrying forudrd
this unTfgheous scheme Of siaUehOlding denagogues'
1t may have been folly to have INDUCED the gnaon
OF such thing but we did secretly hope that our Own ex-
ecutive would refuse the call # the chief gStrdte Of the
Union! Indeed, it is not too late yet; for though
ment Of infantry has been called for and
in operation for its speedy enrolment we hope and trust
tAdt IL tciH be permitted Of
the executive Of the Commonwealth toH refuse
Of his predecessors in the Of 1912 and lSl3 to send
troops away from our own teriitoTy' "THE HART
FORD CONVENTION that bugbeaT modern politicians
comes up before with its embodiment Of true patriotism,
putting to shame the readiness and zeal with which peO
pie respond TO call to go forth into contest with which
that of 1912 and 1918 bears comparison unjust nIqu
OuS and ndeensble Have OF Massachusetts forgotten
Convention are so bound by the spell which de-
magogues have raised by the power of that phrase
TO the Ignorance Of the present concerning the past that
dare not invoke its spirit back again TO rebuke the folly and
madness that rules in the councils of the nation
worthy chief magistrate forgotten it, or is he aid to stand
in the gap at this present crisis and call upon the people Of
the commonwealth to gather about him. condemnation Of
this war of oppression and Inclusion upon neghboTng
people,"
We among the last men who would interfere
with the clergy In the discharge of their legitimate
functions But when they throw aside the robes of
their office and manifest such total want of patriot
ism and disregard for truth, they become proper SUBJ
ects 10 be held up TO the execration of our people,