The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-24

eminent degree, that the imagination Of
scarcely set bounds to the certain prosperity and happ
ness Of a nation in which every would literally do
his duty, socially kindly atectioned and good man
and publicly loyal citizen at the polls in giving his
suffrage and support the candidate who best loves his
country and is able protect and guide its
teress and in his official station obeyng the statutes the
Bible and the constitution and seeking for higher law
for his guidance.
Until plain approach such Improvement in the
affairs of the politics Of country is effected il would seem
TO be the wisdom Of the clergy avoid closer prox-
unity to the political arena and study TO be quiet IN the
arduous Indispensable and nterminable task imposed on
them by their Divine Master Of nsrucng and pesuadng
the people to "render unto Caesar the things that be
Casar's, and unto God the things that be GODS 10 DC
good citizens aud good Christians.
BY senator, TO whom well known are many OF the
1850 it has kindly and confidently said that they
have not diverted from their ordinary pursuits in
the ministry Of the Gospel to engage at all I'M or to step
even the verge of the political arena and that they
acould not have intended to create agitation And yet
10 how little does this amount If strictly sowhch
tanly is of the snguinary fanatics of cold steea
abotonsm. STILL so, the consequences are that
by people generally In every part of the country they
are certainly understood TO have really and knowingly
entered that political arena and whether intended not
widespread and most unhappy agitation very damaging
the peace and morals Of the Commonwealth Is the thus
in alterations from the of true religion and true
patriotism
This senator has doubt that the gentleman who pre-
scented the memorial is respectable member Of the
clerical profession and he does not believe there is any
thing in it intended for political effect The learned SEN
aor is of what's said to be "paved with good
Intentions The motives of the peitionersa least OF
large number Of temmay have been pure and unmixed
with political objects and that mora and religious con-
siderations induced Of them the strange oorA may
not be questoned So many times before now have such
considerations led results than thus far seem to
have flown from this clerical emeute
"Ths has from time immemorial been the custom of
the members of that profession in that part Of the
try says the distinguished SENATOR among whose constt
ents are very large number Of the memorialiss He is
quite right Centuries of the history of New England
bear ample testimony to the senatorial declaration But
does history testify in regard this CUSTOM certainly
"more honored in the breach than the observance that
twas sulied by contact with party strife Quite
otherwise for nothing is patent in the chronicles
of New England than that the clergy have frequently,
"from time immemora laid aside their sacred character
and subjects of the Prince Of Peace and teach
of His religion Of peace and love- to join in the
strife of political controversy However innocent may
have been the larger smaller number the may
happen be- that Of them have Intentionally done ii
this OCCASION it would be the folly question
And yet it be lost sight Of that there
siderations with regard to the clergywith exceptions
than enoughwhich should induce gentle judg-
ment Of this great mistake s
The great value of these considerations is found in their
moral power of proof that the number of the clergy who
have Of their accord and voluntarily stepped forth to
throw the weight of their influence into the scale of sed
tious abouonism is large enough Brighten us from
propriey justify fears for the safety of the
public If every good and true will act well his part
again suffer himself fall asleep his post too
many have been won't to do.
" One eminent senator judging from appearances as was
natural enough attributed these united cergymen-
before united any subject and to again
in this worda snblimy Of purpose to which the clergy
of this country body have certainly clainnamey
bold attempt usup and direct the powers of govern
mentp G5 a12 rnE
There may be not few Of them all told with strong
"fthmonarchy" tendencies who would right gladly sub
the government and elevate their avorite class
Of saints thrones of power There is however very
happily good historical proof that such tendencies not
sufficiently general justify the smallest apprehension of
rising effect The fact alluded TO- the par
ticulars Of which may be found recorded among the
earlier annals of this wonderful nineteenth cen ,r-
ry may be thus simply stated By reverend gentleman
whose mind had been nurured and directed by tho CANA
liels of New England, there devised and planned
brilliant project Of "a Christian party politics. He was
of considerable talent and influence though not
quite equal 10 the object TO which with much euergy he
directed them Had il been his native soil he mi ht
not mprobably have made his mark deeper 10 the Key
State il quite another The Quakers had
encouraged the reading of the early history New Eng
land Into the peculiar points Of the project il is no,
needed TO enter The thing done in the corner
though slight progress made in the eoncave
OF the protector and his confidential friends and the suo
Of several political partsans secured before the 40
called Christian public appealed to Its secret sue
produced confidence and then the appeal made
boldly and no small amount of money and management
employed TO make it eectual; and yet It is grateful
to be able TO say that compared with the Of names
which appear the lists very small the number
Of the clergy involved in The plot while the great majority
looked upon il abomnable thing, fruitful in hypocrisy
and directly eorrupng both the State the Church
Overwhelming the number Of clerical virtual pro-
testers "egaina great moral rcroag-as breach o,
faith epsiny UNJUST 70 the moral principles Of The COMING
nifty and sabosire Of all confidence IN national agreenf,
FIJI Of danger 70 the peace and epen er.enc
Of beloved Unior and opposing he righteous jdo
naents Of Amghy God whose gracious and guiding Prov
dence had led fathers Of the republic wisely 10 famo
and establish constitution which the peope for
whom it made the rich possession and inheritance o.
selfgo, eminent and religious freedom
Let this be put down TO the credit of the clergy as
body from whom the republic should have much TO hone
and nothing TO fear and allow il secure candid and
charitable view OF the before U.S. al
all the clergy Of New England in very strong anonaoo
TO say the least and the mldes memorazno the
Legislature great national question as II nll mode
standing IL in which involved the very fonnda,;o.
principles of government; which, unhapni,y 80,
legislation and political controversies have rend.,