The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-12-03
JOHN COLLINS, in.
From the Luzerne Unior
THE POLITICAL CLERGl.

We in exchanges that the Rev. Robert B. Hail. OF
Plymouth who is the know-nothing congressman elect
from the first district in Massachusetts, has commenced
suit for libel against Benjamin Lindsey editor and propr
of the New Bedford Mercury. Damages laid at $780,
600 Certain articles in the edition of Saturday the llth
charging Mr. Hall with the preparation of foul and dis
gushing crime while in his connection with religious soci-
ETY. in Roxbury the grounds for the commencement of
the suit Here have commencement OF the production
of the unwhoesome fruits that must result from the cer
gy's entering the political lists.
These clerical politicians claim much consequence
than any other of our elowcitzens and deny the press
the right to criticize their conduct They most basphe
mously in our opinion demand this that demonstrate
against this act the other, in the of the Almighty
God and other citizen editor has right to qucs-
ton their views ask why do No. indeed this is
infdelty you must bow in humble submission and with
murmur or be banished beyond the pale of hope by
single snort from the nostr of of these political d-
vine demagogues
would ask What has the Church gained by descend
ing into the political ring? Have its ministers added to
the of their Master by degrading themselves cleo
oneerers the political hustngs Have they built up the
Church and its holy mission by combating with polti-
clans and hugging with outsretched the saverng
nebrae in his cups and persuadng his added that
he serving God and his country by opposing every
man who was not born here? We have heard most dis
gushing details of the Of reverend gentlemen the
day of election at different polls in this county particular
ly in Lehman and Hanover The holy apostles were in
struced by their Divine Master preach the Gospel This
was the mandate of God earth OH how has the holy
calling been perverted Instead of the Gospel and Christ
cruced the pulpit has become the rostru in many of
the churches for political discussion The works of the
of God have become the works Of the artful dema
gogue We could hope that for the sake of religion the
clergy would attend more TO the spiritual affairs Of men,
and not so much TO their temporal
In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and y-four we date the of disasters
the cause of religion that years and years pous
example will not rccy Let the clergy disgrace them
selves and who will repreayc respect the Church
In the political history of the country it is the first time
the clergy have entered the of politics 1t is the first
time the religious press has taken up the political
Are they contnue Let them look abroad at the thou
sands and of thousands of they have ved and
DETAINED and let them reflect whether in this mad wild
course they have served their Master
We do not deny the clergy the right to vote We are
pleased this high privilege fully exercised but we do
deny their right to desecrate the pulpit with politics. and
their high calling by electoneering at the polls There
of fitness and decorum in this which alike UNI
becoming and dsgraceu But the clergy have now en-
tered the political field. We proud to say there are
honorable and worthy exceptions and hereafter to
meet them what they profess to be- but what they
have becomepoliticians and therefore when shall
have to speak of them they may not complain
for it is result caused by their imprudent conduct
We see numbers Of them have been candidates for Office
they have been elected and they, in common with their
brethren must now look for the condemnation consure
and structures of the press that follow other politicians
through all parts of the State The press where has spo
kenand this is dailycondemns in unmeasured terms the
clergy for the political they have lately pursued