The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-09-14
Democracy ana the Ministry.

We are very sorry that to secure the cleo
ton or even hope Of the election Of Smith
Miller, or to secure the supremacy OF any
faction. it is considesed necessary to defiie
christian ministers. We pity that party, or
that remnant of party, which is compelled
to. defamation Of preachers for success We
are not mem Der of any church-no partic-
uar church has our affections. or partialities'
yet the teachings of our youth and the judg-
ment of our manhood, revolt at the use OF
such weapons as the friends, or some feO Of
the friends of Mr.. Miller, are resorting to
this canvass to secure his success. Thanks
.-r.~--.~"S a"u 20 our mafurer
reflections, we have sincere respect for
religion and through it for its teachers,
whether they be of Catholic or Protestant
persuasion. We presume every man who
feels as we do, must witness with regret the
efforts being made to secure party success
at the expense of the reputation Of Protes-
tant ministers, and through them at the ex-
pense of the blessed influence Of religion it,
self. Partyism dare not attempt TO justify
this on any other ground, than that minis
tiers have expressed their honest opinions,
which no one of any manly feelings dare say
are not their honest opinions, Of a measure
agitating the whole country. This is the
only justification or apology for course Of
abuse and defamation of men who are the
leaders in every great moral enterprise,
whose general character places them really
far above the shafts of petty malice, and
whose labors are all on the side Of religion
ala morality. II these men were exempted
"o" he duties OF American citizens, ex-
emP'eo I'm the taxes of American citizens,
anu eAe"pt1 from all the moral and polite
airesPons'oilit"s of American citizens, then
II might be SAID they are Gods servants
Alone and all earthly ,hings are but dust and
ashes to them. But paying taxes as other
citizens, sharing all the responsibilities of
Citizens, and ready with word and arm as
these ministers always have been to defend
the country, and having equal claims with
all other citizens to share the blessed p.ivil-
eyes Of American citizens-to question she
right OF expressing their opinions in public
On great moral as well as political question,
and to subject them TO abuse because they
choose to exercise this right in a mild and
peaceable manner, is most supremely dis
graceful, unfair and cowardly. 1t proves
thst those who contemn these men for claim
ing their rights, have but a narrow minded
idea Of what are the rights of American
citizens. 1t proves too, that they fear the
moral influence these men will bring to bear
on a question in which as christian ministers
they must feel an abiding interest.
So long as minister, in assuming to speak
on a subject Of this nature, speaks in the
language and spirit of man recognizing a
higher responsibility than the judgment Of
those whose opinions he is opposing, and
does not trample upon his own moral teach
ings from a more sacred rostrum, no man has
a right to question either his position or his
motives. This abuse and vllification which
aportion of the Democratic press is hurting
at the Protestant ministry, exhibits that they
are determined at all hazards, and in con-
tempt Of all moral obligations, to force this
infamous Nebraska swindle down the threats
OF the people, If they can. Aye, some Of
their organs prove by their language, that
they would carry this measure through, even
though the Protestant church should fall in
ruins, they had the power. But their eff
forts, even to injure the character of the min
isters of that church, will prove unavailing.
Their abuse of ministers, and over three
thousand in one body, because they chose to
exercise the right Of petition, and their abuse
of those few others who have seen fit to
combat in public addresses measure CON-
prising in itself great moral question, will
rebound on their own heads. Their abuse
and Islander and villification, will be remem-
bered after the election, when the excitement
which now partially protects 80 disgraceful
policy, shall have passed away. II the
hour of retrbution does not come TO these
base men. then there is more blessed spirit
OF christian forbearance ard forgiveness in
the church, than for which it receives credit.
1t the party to which these slanderers, be-
long. be not opposed by the vote Of every
member of Protestant churches and every
friend of such jim the State, it will be be-
cause some men love their party more than
their religion.
We understand very we'll that one object
In thus abusing these ministers, is to court up
the Catholic vote. This is as great an in
suit to Intelligent Catholics as it is to the
ministers and their churches. Intelligent
Catholics are not to be won by abusi1
those honestly differing with them in
Iehgious views, and certainly they can
feel battered at the low appeals so OH
made 10 their religious feelings. = 'ip',f
But we leave this subject. We desired