Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-01-27
[cossuMcArsos.
GOVERNOR JOHNSON AND THE LONDON TINES

or the nature oil a rational religion, from the rep
resenatves and directors OF State and Church opi-
ions in the Old World. For the first time. we be-
lieve in the history of our beloved Tennessee, has
her Governor been honored by notice from the
London Times that mammoth Newspaper of
the world we conclude, therefore, that there
must be something of power or novelty IN the In
augural of our talented and eminent Governor, or
it could not have commanded the attention OF the
arstocratic circles of English politics. Any one
might know, however, from the review of the
Times if he did not from other sources Of observa-
tiop that America and American politics occupy
large and exciting space in the mind of the upper
as well az the lower classes of the British dominion
It speaks of an unparalleled advancement in the arts
of industry in the recognition OF the rights man.
of the basis principles of all rational government
and although it speaks in half serious and half
cynical style, it is easy to see that the greatness
of this Republic and the advance of mind and hui
man elevation it is sure to secure, is truth in
resistless destiny, that even the Times cannot cred
itably dispute, "a
He complains of our Governor, as though his
views of progression in the knowledge and appli-
cation of the democratic principles, would nure if
not subvert Christianity that they would intro
duce new gospel to mankind and cause all the
great moral principles of a divine religion to be
superseded by new Church Militant--the demo-
cratic party of the United States How he finds
all these startling propositions in the clear and per-
spicuous document referred to, 1t would be difficult
for any mind unsophistcated by the efete form of
priestiy domnatlonor mon archlcal misrule to con-
ceive.
It'll true, and we take pride and pleasure in sta
ting it. that Gov. JOHNSON does argue that the ca
pabity of man to govern himselfis God given, and
that upon its proper appreciation and development
depends all that is encouraging to the hope Of hui
manity. He also AYERS that this gift in the very
nature of man may be increased and so increased
to secure ultimately the political redemption of
the race: redemption which must be contempora-
neous with the downfall OF every superstition DO
ltica religious that has denied or DESTROYED his
inaenable rights. But did be speak of the demo-
craft: principle superseding Christianity? BY no
means He speaks of them in contrast, the one
as having charge of the political, the other of the
moral spiritual relations of man; the one eleva
ting man religousy, the other politically The
whole idea embraced in proposition, would be-
Government is divine or God appointed whether it
respect the external (or POLITICAL the internal Tor
spritual) relations OF man.
The Democratic principle is the divine principle
by and under the direction of which man must reg
ulate his external relations The Christian princi
pie will regulate his spiritual afhnites and tend
encies. Both look to the full development of man.
They are co workers and not opposites. They
may be viewed in contrast just as we view the
material and Spiritual nature of man in contrast
but not in antagonism. 1t would be as foolish to
say that mans soul is opposed to his body and his
body to his soul, to speak of Democracy and
Christianity opposltes. And as in the union of
body and spirit-God's own handy and glorious
work-there is harmony of contrasts and not of
opposites, in the union of the great principles of
Democracy and Christianity, there is harmony of
contrasted and yet assimilatng forces that promise
the highest development, progress and glory of the
race. Their teaching is, therefore, similar. Does
Christianity say, Call no man Master on Earth
Democracy answers, man was made for self govern
ment Does Christianity Join that we call no
man common?" Democracy replies, the people
must govern. Does Christianity enjoin the love of
a neighbor as ourself? Democracy replies, let that
neighbor have his rights to himself, his vote and
his place amongst his equals aud his fellows. De
mocracy then, not as party, but as principle is
divine; is the recognition Of the divine right of
as man to make and perfect his own government,
while Christianity reveals a sphere of conscience
above the authority of all human tribunals, and
which as it intereres with no human right will al
low of no interference. Not different ways to
Heaven, the Times alleges, but as cooperating
guides to different departments ofmans nature and
interests are they to be regarded having both in
view the highest progress and happiness Of man.
And this view of man and the great principles that
shall regulate his earthly and heavenly relations
will prevail the world over, for it is like the ntu
tive beliefs of the SOUL it needs but to be stated to
carry its overnastering convictions to all free and
candid minds. Besides, the tendencies of all the
Sciencies and Arts IF life are in the direction in
which it leads viz: The elevation of the masses to
no -rledgc and exercise of oil the vital powers
To place home and property and their advantages
within the reach of every man, Is as certainly the
course that leading and controlling events are now
taking as that every universal law Of God is bene
icient.
But we return to the Tines. 1t struck me, with
great force Mes Editors that The article which sue
ceeded the one reviewing the inaugural of Governor
JOHNSON and complaining of his dissatisfaction with
existing forms of government should have been
one descriptive of the miserable condition Of the
masses of England. 1t describes their sordld dwell
lings, their ignorance and gross self-indulgence;
their exposure from the cradle to bodily disease and
mental depravity; their being crowded by scores in
to mean, filthy rooms that never see the light OF
Heaven, and where all decency and sefrespect
must be lost can never be recognized And this
is Christidn England and under the observation and
newspaper notice of a writer who laughs at the
idea of western Governor because he calls upon
the Young men of his State to recognize the "di-
vinity within them" and give themselves to the de-
velopment and exercise OF all their powers, in
them in the only principle that can secure
such desirable and Christian results. This Gescrip-
ton Of horrors following the abnse and disparage-
ment of man who has devoted years to securing
a homestead in the fertile lands and beneath the
free sky of the New World, for these down trod-
den and almost hopeless of want and depravity
in Christian England Verify we think the Times
needs, if not new christianity, new view of
old religion now greatly corrupted by Its unnatural
union with State policy that daily tramples the
rights of millions under foot. Democracy, we !
doubt not, would improve that Christianity for it
would reveal it to ITSELF and say unto it as was
said by the Divine man Of DID, "Wo unto you, for
you pay 1.-THE of mint, anse, and cummin and |
have omitted justice, mercy and faith" Even the |
,letested Mormons" Of whom he reproaches U.S.
provide for the miserable Tariahs ofEngland whom |
ber laws cannot deliver or save from starvation or
mental ruin
Let the principles of Democracy and Christian
ty be understood and no one will regard them as
,ntagonistc Let every man here on these shores
,r fying to them from the depression and blasting
IF spiritual or political despotism abroad, find a
nome and the means ofsubsstence protected against
III s'yespectable' and all lawless trespass and the
,artv or people which it will be ever in the
Elections and hopes of humanity. And no con-
leupatory animadversion or ironical praises from
he land of Queens Lords, and scarcely less Arts
ocratc commons, with an established church, uni
,ersities and chartered professions will deter the
thinker and sincere worker for his own
rood in the good Of all his human brethren, from
yoiug forward in the advocacy of the great prnci-
lies of Equality and Justice. 50 mote it be.