Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-01-28
To the Editors Of the Enquirer.

HAMPTON Va, Jan. "a, 1851.
Gentlemen: 1t is refreshing the patriot and the chris
tan, raised amid an institution guaranteed by that Constu
lion which necessarily the result of compromise and
which, notwithstanding the solemn sanctions OF supreme
law reckless innovation would rudcy destroy without sub
sute equivalent s gratifying in this Of cant and
pseudo phanhrophy when the pulpit and the PRESS well
the mouhing demagogue yielding TO local preudlces
and fearing local unpopuarty have unscrupuously appeal
ed moral sanctions for the fragrant and inquous
violations Of the constitutional is refreshing and crafty
ing hear from amid the Babylonsh jargon OF aboonsm
religious laudnaranlsm, characterization and atheism,
the calm clear voices OF reason and religion entering their
protest against those who carry out their unhaowed pur-
poses would the very temples of religion, and
wade through blood over the ruins Of the Constitution
These thoughts suggested by the following from the
"Church Quarterly Review, for January 1851 published
in Ncp Hapen, and edited by Rev. N. s. Richardson one
among the abest writer's In the Protestant Episcopal
Bishop opkns of Vermont whose address Is noticed by
the Editor ranks among the cearest thinkers and the most
accomplished controversulisis OF the day:
"Brsmop Hoprss ADDaEss, at ST. Adams, peranOnt,
the Death Of General Zachary Taylor, August I'd 1850 -
In this address the Bishop u,ters the following language
Meanwhile cannot condemn our Southern brethren ms
sinners because they use an institution which The law OF
ccpts of the Gospel supposed FORBID before the
comm Of The present century cannot the JUS
ce of denouncng them because they claim the protection
of tho Constitution for their legal rights rs that Constitution
has been expounded by the Supreme Court Of the United
States the highest tribunal of our country cannot blame
them because they refuse reduce themselves TO beggay
BY emancpang their slaves without fair equivalent nor
because they unwilling expose themselves to the dan
ger confusion which would be the probable not the
evtabe consequence retaining such apopuaon amongst
them Nor can wonder at the strong excitement which
they the doctrine Of ultra Abotonss when they
hear and themselves eved as the enemies OF God and
man. unfit to hold communion with Christian church, 10
have place amongst Christian people, merely because
they maintain what the doctrine OF the whole Christian
world only fifty years ago."
The Editor remarks on the foregoing:
rSuch the present of public feeling the above
subject feel bound say that there TO
call in question the Chrisian morality the proprey Of
the compromises upon which the constitution OF the United
States originally formed and which were indispensable
formations that il is the duty Of every citizen TO see
that the provisions of that constitution faithfully carried
in their letter and spirit that the modern appeal 10 "a
higher power" which forges its solemn oath, and at
temps interfere with the legitimate action of the govern
ment deserves be branded as Treason against 1.-THE
powers that be- which ordained of God and DO treated
such.
ut should DO remembered also, that the popular cant
about conscience and ia common humanity proceeds In
great degree from class of men VIGOROUSLY inhdel IT.
their character whose official language lie basphemous
agansl God and His word and whose avowed and we be-
leve only aims overthrow all social order and 60
yernmeni in the family the Church and the State.
Thus introduced into the pages OF the
Review discussions OF party politics. But when treason
Pulpit seizes the press nail coorS the mast
defence OF the Unonthe Union as II s-he Union for
the sake of the Unonhe Union for The suke OF free gov
eminent the world oyer.he Union because Of God and his
word"
Thus far the subject and it will to show, amid
the recklessness Of mock philanthropy among our North
ern friend there be found good men and rue both
in the pulpit and in the editorial chair who love, and will
defend the principles of the Constitution. J. G. M.