The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-09-15
CHARITY AND COTTON.
WAsHINGrnn Sent : 1sk.

Aa NM OO1lON.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 1853.
To the Editor of National Era.
| was yesterday informed that sermon
would be preached in the Az street Presbyte-
rian Church and collection taken to aid the
sufferers at New Orleans. | attended but was
considerably surprised that minister would
make such false impression upon the congre
CATION as was done that evening. In the course
of his discourse, he said that he was astonished
when he read an article in one of the New
York religious papers that ridiculed the idea of
getting contributions for New Orleans He
would only quote the title of the article, "Char-
ity and Cotton" he thought this would suffice.
He then became eloquent about dissolving the
Union; he thanked God that it was not yet
dissolved thought he was aiming at the
Abolition party. Coming from the church.
stranger asked me "who preached this even
ingO replied, Rev Mr.. Sunderland, gen.
tleman OF fine talents" | asked the stranger,
"What paper do you think he had reference
tot" He replied, "An Abolition paper, of
course" | was not the only one who believed
his sarcastic remarks were intended for the
Abolition party If so, he is greatly mistaken
In saying that the Abolitonists ridicue those
that contribute for the sufferers at New Or
leans. While it is true that the President of
the United States contributed $50 for this be-
nevolent object, it is equally true that Gerrit
Smith, an Abolition member of Congress, con-
tributed 1000. The highest contribution
made by single person in the city Of Wash
ington, was only $500. And it is a great mis-
take to say that the Aboltionists of the North
hate their Southern brethren. They love them,
and they sympathize with them in their affc.
ton. Would to God that we had no other
kind than the Gerrit Smiths for the prosper.
ity of the South. / will close by saying, what
little had contributed it cheerfully, and only
regretted that | had not more to use in the
same way. F.
REMARKS.
We were so unfortunate as to be present to
hear Mr. Sunderland's sermon on the night in
question, and confess we were anything but
edited by his display of political jesuitism in
the pulpit. He "noticed with regret, an arti-
Gle in New York religious paper, entitled
Charity and Cotton If any of his hearers
had not seen it he would not advise them to
look it up" What did this mean? His evil
dent intention was to convey the idea that
those who opposed the Union party" rejoiced
in the sufferings of their fellows at New Or
leans Mr. S. is a young man, and is evident
ly ambitious. We regret that he has taken
this course to obtain notoriety. We would hint
to him that there is difference between Phar-
iseeism and Christianity. He does not seem to
have learned in what this difference consists.
Contempt of the former does not involve want
of sympathy for suffering humanity.
We copy below the paragraph from the New
York Independent, which 30 excited the ire of
this reverend pulpit politician and commend
it to the attention of his hearers. The Phari-
sees, who take particular pains to advertise
their charities in order to obtain Southern GUS
toners, will agree in MIR. Sunderland's view
of IT,
Charity and Cotton Cotton is very useful
plant. 1t would be difficult, within any very
reasonable limits, to enumerate all its uses and
| tons Of it are being continually made. Not
tho least noticeable Of such applications are
those made by our Castle Garden men
They found it worked admirably year or
two since, as pad of bumper, in preventing any
disastrous results from the concession of the
North and South, occasioned by slavery, With
in q few days past, we notice it has been made
use of to impart tenderer softness to charity.
The yellow fever has been raging fearfully at
! New Orleans Families have thereby been dis.
tressed, not only by the death Of one or another
of their members, but by the consequent loss of
| the wages which have hitherto purchased the
needful food and clothing for wife and children.
Our cold hearts at the North are touched by
this story of distant suffering, and we are ready
to prove our sympathy for the white as we'll as
for the black.
But lest our charities should fail somewhat
of their intended aim and have an unpleasant
faint as coming from Northern region, the
Journal Of Commerce wraps them round in the
soft folds Of its ample sheet Of cotton, giving up
its valuable advertising space to chronicle eve
ry mans donation, with his name in full; and
90 our charities are conveyed safe to New Or
leans, and shall distil gently as the dews Of
heaven Such CHARITY is doubly blessed. at
blesseth him who gives and him who takes"
1t may not be improper to state, in this con-
nection, that the New York Committee refused
to publish the amounts they received in the
New York Tribune, because it was suspected
of being an Abolition journal Notwithstand-
ing this refusal of the committee to counte-
nance the Tribune, its proprietors contributed
$4,000 for the relief of the sufferers.