The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-07
The Pulpit and DisuniOn.

mented, with all the severity that we are able
to throw into language, upon the conduct of
those mischievous agitators in the North-the
PARKERs, and BEEcHERs, and WITHNGToNs,
who in the guise of disciples of the Prince of
Peace, are counselling resistance to the laws
and sowing the seeds of disunion and civil
war. These reverend strrers up of strife
these men who carry deadly weapons under
priestly robes-have received, and shall CON
tinue to receive, no mercy at our hands. No
respect for the names which they may bear
no reverence for the sacred office which they
pervert, shall prevent us from holding them up
to public contempt and Reproduction. Wherever
we find them we shall serve them all alike.
1t has 50 happened that most of the incen-
diary pamphlets in the shape of sermons which
have hitherto fallen under our notice have ema-
mated from pulpits in the North but it would
be Il great mistake to suppose that these pesti-
lent productions are known only in that quarter
of the Union. We have before us ''a discourse
delivered in St. Peters Church, Charleston,
S. c., by WIN. II. BARNwELL, rector Of said
church," and published by request" which is
10 the full as incorporate in its language and
as unholy in its tendencies as any thing that
ever came from PARKER or a PLsBURy.
This discourse was delivered on the 9th of
December last, the day appointed by the Legis-
lature, at the suggestion of Governor SEABRooK,
as a day of s. fasting, humiliation, and prayer"
:" Fasting, humiliation, and prayer"-this is a
time hallowed-a solemn form OF words sugges-
tive of a thousand serious thoughts. 1t was
good for South Carolina to have day of
fasting, humiliation, and prayer. A preacher
lnpued with the true spirit of the gospel
would have turned the occasion to most pro-
ftable account He would have called upon
his hearers to look humbly into their own
hearts, to see if they We're free from envy,
malice, and all Observation-Disclosures, to search their
own motives, to see that false pride, no unjust
prejudice, hope Of distinction, no mere
personal ambition. was leading them astray.
But the Rev. Mr. BARNwELL took a very
different view of his duty on the occasion.
He knew very well that such an exhortation
as this would not suit the taste Of his congre-
CATION however pleasing it might he in the
of the historical portion of the Old Testament
as a point Of departure, and straightway cut the
ropes which bound him to it, and launched forth
upon the turbid and troubled sea of political
agitation. Instead of drawing his inspiration
from the holy precepts of the Sermon on the
Mount, he appears to have studied very care
fully the tlashy speeches of RHETT and the
reasonable orations of CHEvEs and of MEANS.
Having crammed himself well with these pro
auctions, he sat down to write this discourse,
and, as might be expected, the result is badly
mixed concocton Of the worst parts of all.
The Rev. Mr.. BARNwELL commences his
harangue CATER having placed text at the top
Of it, by way Of giving it the look Of ser
mon) by laying down the proposition that South
Carolina ''has been threatened by those who
WELD the power of the General Government !"
This is the grand foundation Of his discourse
He modifes it somewhat few sentences be-
yond, and condescends to go a little more into
particulars, and tell us what the threat is. We
quote his own words:
"That South Carolina has been formally threat
ened at present, by the General Government, ] do
not affirm; but he must have cast an unobservant
eye upon the current of public affairs who does not
discover a covert but decided menace on the part
of those in authority to prohibit by force the
ercise of her unquestionable right to resume the
powers delegated to the General Government, and
secede from the Union if che fit''
Here is the whole of this terrible grievance.
South Carolina threatens to secede, and there
is an implied constructive threat on the part
of the General Governmental prevent her in
case she makes the attempt. Now, threats break
no bones. South Carolina has notyet fully made
up her mind TO attempt to secede. Consequently
in the present state of affairs, we do not see
that there is any thing to get very much ex-
cited about But the Rev. Mr.. BARNwELL
seems to be stirred up to state almost amount
ing to frenzy by this imaginary threat. He is
in favor of doing something forthwith in disre-
gard of the threat. He proceeds to give rea-
sons why il Fought not to be regarded Here
is the first
'ln the present controversy with the South, the
General Government is an usurper."
This proposition is established by the usual
Disuniun arguments. We have no space IL
give them at length, and do not think them
worth the trouble of answering To show, how
ever, the Rev Mr.. BARNwELL's profound know
ledge OF the Constitution, we quote what hs
says about the Supreme Court. He is consid.
erng the question of its authority in cases where
the rights of State are involved:
''Is the Supreme Court the proper tribunal In
| legal questions in matter of property e
ttutm,' it is. But in questions of political power
where the rights of individuals only, but of SOW
ereign States are concerned, to admit as final um
| pire, tribunal whose officers are appointed by
and dependent on. one of the parties for their main
tenance and continuance in office, would be sin
| gular mode of arbitration"
We knew before that the Judges of the Su
preme Court were appointed by the Executive