The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-01-02
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From the New Orleans Picayune.l
THE NORTHERN CLERGY
IND THE HIGHER L4W."

The pulpit treason, against the con-
stitution and the laws of the country.
which has been preached in Boston aud
other eastern places, by such abolition
fanatics as Rev. Theodore Parker. is
getting its fitting rebuke, strongly and
effectively, from the same sacred place
which its fanaticism profanes. Many
distinguished clergymen-men of rare
abilities and pure lives-have taken oc-
casion to bear their testimony from the
pulpit against the unchristian doctrine,
Its perilous character, and dreadful con-
sequence. Thanksgiving day in New
York, the 18th inst, was improved for
that purpose by the pastors of many of
the churches of that city. The call TO
offer thanks and praise to Divine Provi-
dence, for the innumerable blessings
which we enjoy as a people in dispen-
sing blessings, of which the union of the
States is one of the most effective of
His nstruments-aforded becoming
opportunity to rebuke and discounte-
nance that perversion of religious doc
triue and duty which has encouraged
d;sobedience to the laws, and justified
a violation to the plain injunction of the
constitution, which is the foundation of
our government. II was impossible. in
treating of these duties, to omit the con-
siderafion of the subject out of the dis
cussion of which the controversy arose,
and accordingly the great question of
the day-the obligation of non-slave-
holders and the non-slaveholding States
TO respect the right of property in slaves
as recognised in the constitution was
taken up and freely discussed in more
than one sacred desk. We are glad to
see the temper of Christian moderation,
and the power of learning and argu-
ment, with which many of the most
learned divines affirmed the duty of
non-interference with the institutions of
the South, denied that in any scriptu-
raj sense, they are sinful in themselves,
or against the teachings or injunctions
of the Bible, and maintained the abso-
lutte duty of all men-especially all
protesting Christians-to yield full obe-
1ienee to the laws of the land, and aid
an the constitutional protection of south
ern property.
We see among the names of those
who on the Thanksgiving Day pursued
this theme at length, and with the ut
most fullness and frankness, that of the
venerable DR.. Gardiner Spring, who has
for more than fifty years been pastor of
the Presbyterian Church which is situ-
ated at the junction of Beekman street
and the Park.
We. extract from his sermon some
bold and honest passages, which we
hope will fall deeply into the hearts of
his hearers, and bring forth fruits pro-
fitable to peace and to union.
aWhat spirit is 1t which offers these
boldsconnseIs2 There is no mistake in
It's rneaning=-it is resistance to the laws
Of the iand---even to blood. I do CON-
fess that when read these things, [
fesl ne Noses did when he fell on his
tace before God. / ask myself is this
the religion of the Bible-the teaching
of thespostles-the example of the Son
OF God-the christianity of the north
And shall our southern brethren read
this and say, is this the justice which
we are to look for from northern Chris
tiansa Is il any wonder they advocate
a dissolution of the Union9 While |
fsar for the country, I look to God for
wisdom to direct Us In this crisis. We
tfuse II the patriotism and piety of the
north 20 sdisavow these things. We say
totlse south, we are the friends of the
civil law, and desire not TO interfere
with their domestic institutions. What
sssr reasons we had for the abolition of
slavery among ourselves, we have no.
thing tosay with their domestic con-
Gems. g We don't mean to edisturb them.
To the ffee eol0red man we open our
dooss ard our charity, but we don't
usue The fugitive slaves of the south !;
and it Ne not the least benefit of the law
that they are 20 rapidly disappearing
ffgna sfzaong us.
80 That men should differ on the SUBJ
jet Of slavery 8 what might be ex-
psoted, but that lnsn should be found to
viOlats The lac, and separate those
whom God has irihed together by COM
rnoa laws ahd common interests, by in
tefniaffiages and institutions sealed, as
thsy have been BY the blood Of our "a
tANss, eannes be accounted Tor except
by The most bewitching infatuation