The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-24


qhs n,ofaue protest OF the notorious three thousand
,ls,gymep, who reekessy TO speak sin the name
If Almighty Cod" against an act OF just and honorable
,sston has not been received with the respect usually
accorded to the opinions OF American dvines In country
Ike ous-a country occupied by people who are both
religious and patrioe-there is vgant sensiliveness
in regard 10 the interference in politics OF ministers Of
the Gospel These ministers but men. and their
views State affairs too often simply narrow and
ridiculous They organization set apart by com
mon consent from the contentious OF the law and the
dsputaons Of the iorum and we look to them, not for
advice in temporal affairs, but Tor the counsels OF the
cred Book and the example furnished by the personal
pury practical benevoence, Of blameless lives. The
pulpit is not the place from which 10 thunder the bitter
poemics Of parties. The clergyman is not the man TO
give way 10 The passions oil the political coniroversast
Nor will congregation OF Americans patiently quiet
ly submit 10 be rated and criticised Tor their views on
public questions, by who paid not TO nhame re-
seo,mens bul to calm, on Gods holy sabbath, the ex-
cited feelings Of an angry week and prepare love
each other during the briel bat buoy battle of life,
What is The task. however, which these three thou
sand miscalled ministers OF peace have undertaken
They throw themselves into the TO aid the avowed
enemies of the republic! They prefer their aid TO The
men whose trade il is TO assail the constitution OF the
United States They become the volunteer allies Of the
wild votaries OF that demon spirit, which, appauded and
iosered by the monarches OF the Old World, is the
source OF apprehensions millions Of human beings
this country, who feel and know that the OF abo
lition can only be effected amid of and of
death. What an occupation for The followers of The
meek and lowly Jesus
But these reflections may be Justly and profably pur
sued Have these three thousand pous prolesiers
reflected that they have placed themselves in the
panionship Of who not only defy the laws of
man, but rail al the laws OF God-who glory in pro-
claiming their contempt for the Bible, and who delight
in condemnation of the sacred and necessary usages and
customs OF civilized society
There is another aspect of this protest which,
charitable enough TO believe, would have induced these
political preachers bold of from this most ndecorous
interference with the legislation OF the country, had il
occurred to them Not only have they contributed the
weight Of their high Offices the aboltioniss but they
have sought 10 hold up and Indignation some of
the most cherished patriots in the land With arrogant
impieiy they claim charter from the hghes,-speak-
ing even in the name OF Almighty God"-o slgma,ize
and condemn solemn act of legislation consummaed by
,he votes OF Of The pures most respected, and
tiers OF the Gospel, whose duty it is TO preach against
injustice and dshonor-whose province j, is TO deal
candidy and righ,eously by all men-who, il not
Iecreant to their sacred and solemn pledges, should
recoil from Misrepresentation calumny as from
a thrice poisoned repule-did they find in the Bible
the warrant Tor holding up such men Cass as
Badger, Douglas, Clayton, Hunter, Mason, as
Brown Fitzpatrick, Brodhead. Shdell, Thompson, Clay,
Rusk, Gwu, Butler. guilty OF most grievous sin,
and fit subjects for national condemnation because
these legislators so, all nens and purposes If the
protest OF these three thousand preachers be sincere and
Now, with all proper regard for these gentlemen,
and without taking advantage OF the fact that they have
literally unchuched themselves by this unnviied and
scaldslous meddling in politics. dare TO say that in
seeking matter how indirectly, damage such
those have named, in the opinion of the country, they
undertake task, no, only Of great magnitude but
worthy OF the pous prayers of those who should cherish
the national respect for our public among the fire
duties OF the citizen We tell them, too that the Amer
lean people not willing TO exchange their grateful
objections OF the services and patriotism Of the
who advocated aud voted for The Nebraska oil, for The
endorsement, of the obscene and reasonable doctrines
set OF demagogues who rail at The ordinances OF free
government ard at the inuncons Of the Bible, at
and the time God, indeed, help us when we be
come accustomed to disregard and to reject the Draw
services and wise preceps of the s Tor the bitter bias
phemies and reckless practices of the last
VIVA, would these three thousand preachers have d.
they deny TO the southern people the heaven which
they anxious circumscrbe to the Philpses, AMI
the Gasons and the Hales Is il their object 10 divd,
the church IN twain-the one side consecrated to ht
work of delsming the other, and both animated by thu
emotions OF mbered and hostile armiesl Either the,
want all ,hs else they have gnoranty and mady rush
ed into Tie before they have understood the respon
sbihties they have accepted And what choice OF al.
iernaiiyes is ibis for American clergymeni
In all time. that nation which has coDhded its civil
trusts 10 the clergy has rapidly degeneraed History il
full OF examples; and shall not cite them. though
we might find enough to show that they are not con.
fined TO single denomination The politician whose
ambitious purposes concealed beneath the piou.
phrases of the clergyman is always dangerous man He
do no good he mus, do much harm. This truth
has been illustrated and enforced by the hes, and abes
of the sacred profession.
There is time, however when the American clergy
should speak out Like the veteran Muhenberg, who
in the midst of bis aecopate congregation preached
his greatest sermon, and drew his sword for liberty
be closed his prayer TO Heaven, when the Union IL in
peril, and the guardians of the constitution fall or fv
then LEI the pulpit ring with appeals TO the popular
heart But until that hour arrives the desnies Of the
people safe in the hands OF that great power under