The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-12-19
Tho War, Slavery and the Church.

received the applause of the multitude. For full
Ia tlcuars see the telegraphic rerort.
The War, Slavery and the Church.
In the year of Christianity one thousand eight
hundred and lorty-seven, and in the sixty. first
year of the independence of the United States of
America, the political parties Of that republic
are composed of TWO great factions, commonly
known by the designation of wings aud demo-
Gratis or locotocos. 1t happens, lt,o, that at the
present time, these two great parties are divided
ia principles on two great issues-the origin of
the Mexican wharf.-the manner aud object Of its
prosecutiou--and the question Of slavery, under
thu Wilmot proviso E tch party, being DESTROYS
of -lecting its president in the general election
which is to take place next year, has taken its
po itIon these questions. The wings,
through their orators and their journals, have
taken the ground that the war is an unjust one;
that it was commenced by the act of the Presi-
dent, Mr.. Polk, 10 directing Gen. Taylor to take
a position, with the forces under his command,
on the Rio Grand; that it is an unjust war,
al in acknowledgment of It's injustice, that
our gallant armies, regulars and volunteers,
should be directed back to our own boundar es,
and refrain from their butcheries aud murders
and, moreover, that In case any territory should
be acquired from such war, that slavery shall not
be extended over it. The wings have, there
fore, taken the affirmative on all the questions
at issue between the two parties into which the
,untry is divided-leaving the democrats the
negative and 10 defend it as well as they can.
The wings aud the democrats, however,
clnnot decide those issues They have TO be
acted upon and settled, csnclusivey and finally,
by the people themselves IN the m amer provided
by the constitutIon-5y the exercise of their
rights as republicans and freemen.
So far, so good. No one can object to this
mode of settling the dispute but we perceive
that it is not satisfactory to the clergymen of the
Presbyterian Church, in solemn concave assem-
bled in the presbytery of Indiana. These ssges,
whose duty it is to souls, and admin, ster
ritual comfort to the hocks under their charge,
have actually dotted the gown, descended from
their pupits, and converted the house OF prayer,
not into a money changers shop. as was done OF
3D. but into political arena, where they have had
the temerty to take up the very questions at issue
tween the two parties, rank ed themselves.o on the
side fthe wings, and taken their position on that
side of the question They have accused
rulers (meaning James K Polk) of bringing on
the war, and are going TO pray, but not FAST until
peace is again restored. They go further than
this. They have taken their stand on the sub
ject Of slavery, and have apponteda committee
TO correspond with the bresbyeries of Michigan
and Illinois on the subject.
Since our career as a journalist, we have been
compelled by duty, on more occasions than
one, to take clergymen TO task for their
Interference in affairs of State. Indeed, it
seems that they cannot keep their fingers
out of the political pie-rhat they must
have their say on every thing that occurs
in the political world. Thus, we hear OF cler-
gymau somewhere in the South, preaching from
the pulpit the justice ofthe war, and rrbukiog, in
the strongest terms, any treaty with Mexico that
would not secure TO us greater advantages than
we have ever enjoyed. Here is clergyman
ranked on side of the question--here we
have red hot locofoco in the pulpit, with his
gown on; and in Indiana, we have conclave of
them taking the wing side of the question, and
denounciDg the war. So 1t has been IN all ages
of the world, with clereymen of all denomina-
lions nd all ranks-from the Pope, down TO al
obscure curate fifty dollars year.
Now these things should be discouraged by
every lover of his country. Our ministers, Of all
denominations, must be kept within their legiti
mate bounds. They are paid for the curing Of
souls and not for their opinions on political ques.
tons; and when they step beyond those bounds
they should be censured. 1t is come to a pretty
pass, indeed, if the ministers Of reigi are to
take out Of the hands of the people their legili-
mate rights, and act for them, and exercise
them for them. Talk of the influence, Intrigue
and lust of power OF the Roman Catholics They
have been bad enough; but not particle worse
in this respect than any other church would be
when in the ascendancy The best way Is to
frown down every attempt of this kind, no mat
ter from what quarter it may come. The clergy
must be confined to the exercise of their own
peculiar duties, or the evil will increase until,
inste ad of their being our advisers and spiritual
comforters, they will be our rulers and masters.
And the history Of the world tells us the nature
Of the yoke that would he imposed on US.
------
NAVAL -Ltut F. A. Neville reported on
FRIDAY last for the command OF the u. s. store
ship Fredonis, now flung cut ~ ~ n,vy yard,
d,.tined for the Gulf Squadroa. TIE other
o ficers ordered 10 this vessel. At present are,
As.irt Surgeon Jas. Hamilton, Acting Mas er
]. w. A. Nicholson, and Passed Mid Jones.
Commodore David Conner, oil Alvarado noto-
riety. was recently in this city, remaining iGcog.
az the American Hotel, for several davs, until he
took his departure in the steamer Northerner, Tor