The daily union., 1854-03-02
No a-Letters from Dudley Dunton, In the
Country, to Hon. Philip Phillsons Washing
ton, ID. C--Political Parsons

My DEAR FRIEND: You tell me the clergy are opposed
10 the bill Do you know, my dear Phil, that clergy
men are the worst politicians in the world
They may be very powerful in polemics, and may
compose each week the requisite quantity OF homilc
theology very much the ed6caton OF their hearers
for most OF them have been duly trained TO the business,
and have within arms-lengh whole caroads Of kindred
materials which have accumulated since the days OF Eu-
sebus
Do not understand me as cherishing unirendly senl-
ments toward this valuable body of men. do not be-
eve there exists class OF of superior excellence
usefulness taens and learning, and do envy that
man his head or bis heart who holds them lightly
treats them rudey never think of the patient humil-
y with which they labor for the religious improveme
and reformation OF world, composed OF considerably
more than bali knaves and blockheads without sincere
ly regreng the absurdity and mischief they sometimes
perpeate by turning away from legitimate sphere OF
real usefulness TO exhibit meagre imitation Of the
worst class OF politicians
1 entertain too sincere respect for the veneraied
forms and sublime truths OF the Christian religion,
10 mourn when its ministers change the sanctty Of
their pupiis by making them rostrums for political ha-
rangues, and, forgetting their mission peace.
stir up STRIFE and the frebands of jealousy and
hatred among those whom they should teach TO be
friends.
An es,imable class in their sphere; but | would not
give straw for their political opinions.
II ecclesiastical history TO be relied on has gene
rally happened that when the two characters have been
bined. and the has become priest and poll
tcan the knavery OF the politician and the sanctty OF
the prizes, have disagreed, that the latter virtue being
the weaker Of the two. has retired from the field
These gentlemen may be profoundly versed in tho nice
ties oi theological metaphysics but in my opinion they
know very little about the political equities of this
measure.
tell these CLERICAL opponents Of the billand say i,
with all sincerity Ind with real regrethe plague spo,
nearer your hearth stones Evils, and those ,oo Of
The grsves character, infect your congregations and
communities which many of you have not the courage
to attack and But thus has il ever been men
viii strive TO compromise for the neglect Of proxmae
and possible duties by wordy vehemence and theoretc
zeal Tor the accomplishment OF the impossible and
mote. The friends OF this bill indignant il any one
hints ha, hs reverend for political strife is
only in bad taste. but wicked and mischevous II IL
asked with considerable heat, whether cereymen to
be dsfranchssd and denied The luxury OF opinions on
political topics Now my dear Phill these noodles un-
dersand, well as you or l. ba, no in his senses
desires 10 deprive these sable coated politicians OF the
privilege of believing expressing any nonsense or
ahsurdy. which their conscience and congregations III
permit in relation to ,ts or any other conceivable topic.
These disn,sesed and devout defenders Of the CLOTH
who wish to give their demagogusm the "beneh OF
clergy" misstaie ihe question. What object TO, on
taste and principle. is, no, to the entertainment and
manly expression OF opinion. where argument may op.
pose Argument. and ignorance or error may be exposed
and corrected but DO not think that every country par
is political Solon, that when rsndered irritable
BY indigestion and melancholy from inadequate support
he is at liberty 10 lake advantage oil bis posssIoas and
compel bis auditors 10 listen 10 reproduction OF Chases
duness or Stewards defamation. submit whether
there ought not 10 be statute making il punishable
offence to induce lis'en 10 Wsds's speeches under
false pretenses.
When we 90 10 hear the doctrine OF "dseress.-