The Davenport gazette., 1852-04-08
From the New York Observer.
KOSsUTH,S DOCTRINE.

l
The following note was designed solely
for the private reading Of one of,he editor
! Of this paper; but we are quite sure that IL
publication is called for. We venture
therefore, to lay il before our readers.
NoTE FROM Rev. A. D. SMITH.
i NEw YoRK, Jan. 81, 1852.
I lean not refrain from thanking you mos1
heartily for the noble stand you have taken
in regard to the Kossuih doctrine. Both
Your articles have been admirable. The
doctrine is now tuice dead,' and it only
remains that it be piucked up by the roots
.Nacte rirtute' You are doing the State
and Church good service. Truly, as you
have said, our country is on the verge of a
lprecpice. Surely men are beside them
seIves-good Christian men, to talk as
they do! Our mingling in European
strfcs, our undertaking work of forcible
propngandism, would ring The death knell
Of our own hopes, and the hopes Of the
world. What demoraizing influences
would set in upon US! What check would
be given to all religious nflnences-to all
evangelism at home, and to foreign mis-
sionary labor! How soon should we have
virtually a huge standing army! How soon
would ours become military government
For If we are to prop up with bayonets one
principle of international law, $50 called)
Why not every principle? Why not GO, as
nation, Quixn'e-lke, on universal
knight errnntry? Distressed damseIs wonld
lpresent themselves on every side, and bar
hers basins looking like helmets, and
threatening windmills. For my part, TO
NJ. Kossnth on bis Rosnante Of Interven
ton. mnch as admire him, can net en-
act Sancho Panza. think ola passage
in good old book: 'iie that passeth by,
and meddleth With strife belonging not 10
him, is like one that take,h dog Ia bear
by the ears
But the bear will no, dare TO stir, say
some. He will growI gently, if at all, 'aD
I'twere any nightingale Will he indeed?
Is that his nature? May we presume that
he will lie down like a lamb while we pull
handfns of hair from his shaggy sides?
Nav, nav, sirs-ye reckon without your
host. 'Bnt who's afraidF shout the multi
tude. sWho's afraidY respond certain val
orons clergymen. No true Christian, |
answer, il God be with him. But in what
part Of Gods word are we hidden to GO on
an armed crusade for liberty? Where are
the ministers of the Prince Of Peace. whose
kingdom is snot Of this world authorized
to turn from the .pirtuaities of their call
ing to a 'carnal' warfare. sThe weapons
Of our warfare are not carnal.' Well did
you remind the fighting preachers Of this.
But shall we not love our European
neighbors as ourselves? Yes, but not bet
ter. And our best benevolence toward
them is, so far as war is concerned, "a mas
ierly inactivity Any thing more would
harm rather than help them. b. no sound
principle are we called to any thing more.
The atmosphere has, Of late, been loaded
with sophistry. Yet, thank God, the great
maiority Of our wisest men are right. How
sublime was that protest Of Clay! Web
ster is right, say what men please. Read
his Greek speech, lately re-affirmed by him,
and you will see that he expressly and ear
nestly repudiates interference He would
put forth only moral influences. He would
act on 'opinion alone.'
| am sorry for the part certain clergy
men have taken. Pray make it known
that we are no, all Of their way Of think
ling. Very far from it. But my note is
swelling to an essay. | must close. ]
shall sleep more soundly tonight. for hav-
ing thus bid YOU God.speed.
Yours truly. Asa D. SMITH.