The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-21

The Pacific Ii now fully que, WIN iOur oayB aser
news from Europe. She Is In her thirteenth day.
Her passage has undoubtedly been prolonged by the
strong westerly gals that have prevailed since FRI
day last. We may however, ook for her TODAY. \
very destructive fire occurred I New Orleans
on the morning of the 10th inst, the corner Of
Natchez and Magazine streets, consuming thirteen
valuable store and their contents. The total loss
was estimated at between three and four hundred
thousand dollars, which there assurances to
the amount Of two hundred and twenty-eight thou
sand dollars. One fireman killed by the falling
of wall, another afterwards died of injuries re-
ceved, and several others were seriously wounded.
The excitement in relation to the rescue Of the
alleged fugitive slave in Milwaukee is still kept up,
and the greatest ndig alton is manifested, on the
part of the iawabiding citizens, against those who
formed themselves into mob and prevented the
course of justice. lady writer in the Milwaukee
Nercs thinks before Mr.. Booth, the editor Of the.
Free Democrat, who has been arrested on the charge
of participating in the rescue "goes 10 the Sta to
prison he sheuld be honored with Pablo dem On
stration." The writer says she will furnish the
feathers.
The Baltimore and chio railroad &ridge over the
Atonocacs river, ffty miles from Baltimore, wfs On
FRIDAY light last destroyed by fire. Energetic mea-
sures WI re immediasely taken TO sebuild the bridge,
and bu. u delay of a day two would be expert
enced by forwardars.
ACES, atch from Cincinnati states that the officers
of the j. l. Avery recessy sunk, had arrived
at that city, ard report that the loss Of life can
not be less tran sixty or seventy persons, in
clrding eight cabin passengers. The boat had a
large and washable cargo, which was totally lost
The rates of toll on the aIlinois and Michigan
canal have been reduced abeut thirty per cent on
fihose previously charged. shis reduction has been
brought about by the competition which the rail
roads running parallel with the canal on both sides
| has produced.
| Accounts from Galveston to the 18th inst, men,
ton the killing of COL Stein, late Indian agent, by
the Indians, near Fort Bs'knap.
The Board Of Supervisors met last night. The ne
port of the Committee or County Offices relGtive to
the City Register was read, which viii be found
embodied in the account Of the proceedings of the
Board.
The schooner Russell was wrecked in the gale of
Saturday, off Cape Cod, and it is supposed all on
| board-nine souls-perished.
In our inside pages this morning may be found,
in addition to other interesting matter, the recep
ton of ex-President Fillmore at Louisville, more
Effects of the Gale, Cogoners' Inquests, Court Re-
ports, Theatrical, Monetary and Commercial Intel
igence, &c.
The Priesthood on Politics-Blood and Dis
union.
The Reverend Henry Ward Beecher, dis
tinguished Protestant divine in this city,
thought fit last Sunday evening to resign the
guardianship of his hearers spiritual welfare
into other hands, and to deliver from the pulpit
political speech on the Nebraska question.
The burthen Of his discourse, as we understand
it, was comprised in the words: Blood and
disunon! Mr.. Beecher acknowledges no
worthier task Tor q minister of the gospel than
to preach crusade against the South and to
oonspire against the government Of his country.
In this pursuit he does not stand alone among
his cloth Other clergymen by the hundreds,
as well here as in New England, have ahan-
doned the souls of their congregation to any
evil influence that may arise, in order to be-
stow their undivided attention on Congress
sional bill. They have done SO not in the meek
gentle spirit becoming Christian ministers, but
as though, in leaving their Aocks they had
thrown of every attribute of the pastor, with
the violence of party demagogues, and the ar
rogance Of prelatcs of the dark ages. They
assume to speak by and for Almighty God, and
in this impious strain, seek to WELD divine thun-
der against our national councils.
| This is not the first interference of the clergy
in politics. which history or even our own
annals record. During the last half century
similar movements Of the priesthood have taken
place on several occasions The last struggle
between the old federal and the democratic
parties witnessed one such, and saw the pulpit
<o nj oI:&
cal factions. The last war was the occasion of
another attempt of like nature. During the
discussion of the compromise measures, a SINH
lar attempt to exercise political influence was
made by the clergy. The effect of these various
ecclesiastical movements has been invariably the
same: they lessened the influence of the clergy,
and impaired the respect due to the church.
Elsewhere, more disastrous consequences have
followed their occurrence.
During the first three centuries of the Chris
tian era, three frightful prosecutions made
havoc among the adhcrents to the new faith
These prosecutions were in every case instigated
by the pagan priesthood of that day, who speak
ing as vicegerents of Jupiter, invoked divine
wrath on the Christians. Neither tortures nor
massacres could assuage the fury of these hea-
then ecclesiastics. Each fresh persecution
seemed to feed instead of satating their blood
thirsty violence.
In course of time, Christianity triumphed
The world was revolutionized Paganism was
uprooted. Soon, however, intoxicated by the
possession Of power the Christian church felt
itself strong enough to persecute in its turn.
The priests trampled out the remains of pagan
ism wherever they reared their head.
few centuries elapsed, and under the pri- |
macy of Rome, corruption. RIGHTEOUSNESS, idol
airy, and the abandonment of every Christian
principle sapped the foundations of the Church.