Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-03-16
THE PARSONS OF NEW ENGLAND AND
THE SENATE.

The parsons of New England have got them
selves into trouble. Not content with their
undisputed ecclesiastical power, they have
stretched out their hands to grasp the sceptre
of civil and political power. Not content with
their fulminations from the pulpit, they must
needs thunder in the Senate-house. They
have banded together, as most pious and
godly mob, to frighten senators who are acting
under oath from their propriety, and alarm them
into abolitionism. This hgh.handed measure
deserves the reprobation of every right-minded
man.
A remonstrance against the Nebraska bill,
purporting to be signed by three thousand
clergymen of New England of every religious
denomination, was presented to the Senate on
Tuesday last 1t is in the following words:
"The undersigned cergymen of different
religious denominations in New England, here
by, in the NAME OF ALMIGHTY GoD, and IN
his presence, do solemnly PROTEST against
the passage Of the Nebraska bill, or any repeal
or modification of existing legal prohibitions Of
slavery in that part of our national domain
which it proposes to organize into the Terrific
ry of Nebraska and Kansas
"We protest against it, as q great moral
wrong; as breach Of faith, eminently inju-
rious to the moral principles of the community,
| and subyersivc of all confidence in national
engagements; as a measure full OF danger to
the peace, and even the existence, OF our be.
/ loved Union, and exposing US to the righteous
/ Judgment of the Almighty"
This is indeed highhanded measure. 1t
4 is objectionable, impous arrogance. Did sal
mighty God" commission these men, as they
intimate, to engage in this crusade against the
Nebraska bill? If so, where is their commits
sion and when was it delivered? The ten COM
i mandments were delivered under circumstances
of impressive, if not appalling solemnity. The
christian system was inaugurated and institu-
ted by the Son Of God himself He appeared
on earth to establish it. When Paul was called
to preach, he was arrested by light that
blinded him, and by voice that thrilled him.
i But where is the evidence Of the call and the
commission of this piebald regiment of AFRO
giant parsons? They have as much right to
protest. as ministers, against any ordinary act
of legislation as this. Their next step will
probably be to petition for bank bills and pro-
tectiye tariff bills. The Bible. says as much
about one as it does about the other.
II is to be observed that these men do not
demonstrate in their own names and as citi-
zens. This they would have right to do Bnt
thew demonstrate ain the name of Almighty
God" and as "clergymen." They thus at
tempt to establish an ecclesiastical and politi-
cal connexion-a union between church and
State. Clergymen of all denominations are
said to have united in this petition. These
amiable people wrangle over the word of God
they contend Justify for different religious doc.
trnes; they preach against each other from the
pulpit; they shock even savages with their
disputes and their jealousies; but, divided as
they are in regard to the Bible, they can al
unite in sustaining freesoilism.
Their remonstrance is mixture of cant
hypocrisy, insult and demagoguism. They
enter the Senate.house as clergymen, and adj
dress it as politicians. They mix religion will
freesolism.
We yield to none in respect for the sacer
dotal character; we yield to none in respec
for the teachers of the pure religion of thu
Saviour of mankind. But there are now, a
there were in ancient times, Evolves in sheep
. clothing" There are men in the pulpit WHIT
better deserve the pillory. We hope that tn