The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-08-28
TORONTO, CANApA, Ang. II, 1851.

TORONTO, CANADA, Ang. II, 1851.
To the Editor Ofthe National Era:
My DEAR STA: The National Era for August
7, reached me day or two since, and in turning
to the letter Of your Canadian correspondent,
whose communications | generally read with
great pleasure, and whose judgment ON most
questions | have hitherto approved, | was sur
prised to fud some passages which seem 10 me
unworthy Of an American newspaper. do not
know whether your correspondent is an Ameri-
can or not. II 80, cannot understand his want
of sympathy with the popular struggle in this
great country. Will you be so kind as TO insert
in the Era the following remarks7 In speaking
Of the riot on the clergy reserve question, he
says There were number Of olergymen present,
who are at the bottom Of oil the dhicultyn
Further on, he aide 81 believe that every un-
biased person will agree with me that religion
has very little to do with all this turmoil which is
created in its name. The connection between
church and state exists in this province only in
namep He goes ON to speak Of the rectories, and
says that rs the rectors exercise no control be-
yOnd their own church, not interfering with any
other denomination, the opposition 10 them origi-
mates in the most arrogant prejudice. II may be
An well to preface my comments upon these state
ments by the remark, that in the common sense
| AN no politicsn--that to the dealings Of govern
ments as TO those Of individuals, apply the rigid
rule Of right and in the next place, to add, that
being an American and Unitarian, | have not
the slightest interest, civil or religious, in the
ministry attacked, which is that Of the Scotch
Presbyterian Church have been in Toronto
persons OF capital or influence, born in Upper
Canada The population consists chiefly Of emf
grants from the other Provinces, the States, and
the United Kingdom. The Scotch Presbyterisns
are accustomed at home to regard their clergy.
men as organs and leaders and II the latter could
forget their position as individual men, they
would not be allowed TO forget their duties 90
teachers DO they, therefore, deserve the rude
taunt thrown out by your correspondent Just
as much did the first clergyman who besought n
blessing on the American Declaration. He goes
on TO ask IL religion has anything TO do with the
turmoil created In It's name. This Is a very COM
mon way Of settling such matters but is It
righteous onel The righteousness Of Christ me-
cessarily brings out the iniquity Of mammon, and
he who came TO bring not geoo>, hut DOrd into
the world, received the baptism Of the Holy Spirit
Gointo the midst Of Southern congregation, and
address them in the sublimest tones Of calm and
holy faith, on the sinfuness Of slayeholding and
would Paul himself be heard with patience
Neither could he, holding forth upon the whsrves
OF Toronto, upon the subject Of the Rectories or
the Reserves Wherever there Is devotion TO
true freedom and the interests OF the mass, there
are the principles Of christs Gospel struggling
painfully into their second birth, and he Is I'M
worthy 10 sit under the wing Of the eagle, who
does not believe and maintain 1t. Senex goes on
to assert that the connection between State and
Church exists only in name In Upper Canada.
have heard this assertion made many times, both
In and out Of Parliament, since ] first came 70
Toronto, but have seen not the slightest proof
OF Il advanced. II, In any city Of the Union,
Rpiscopalian and Presbyterian clergymsn bad
certain claim upon the public lands, which other
elergymen had motif they could press and dis '