The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-05-03
NEW HAMPSHIRE CORRESPONDENCE.
Ministers becoming Politicians.

[uHEOtTS OcCOHtHU UtttttUHSs
RAYMOND, N. H., april u, 1855.
To the Editor of the National Era:
In past times, say twenty five years ago, all
more, the Methodist, Baptist, Free Will Bay
fist, Christian, and Universalist ministers Of
this State, embracing not far from twothirds o.
the whole number in the State, were mostly
Democrats in politics. The Congregations
lists, Presbyterians, and Unitarians, were mOsi,
y Wings. In those times, many ministers Of
the Democratic party were active politicians
They discussed politics in the circles they met
voted at the polls, were often chosen legiSla
tors, made fervent prayers for the perpetulty
and spread of our glorious liberties at military
reviews, Fourth of July celebrations, and al
political conventions. When Jackson, Van
Buren,, and others, were candidates for the
Presidency some ministers attended meeting,
at which political addresses were given. and
offered prayer. SO late as 1850, at political
meeting addressed by stump orators OF the
Democratic party, minister offered prayer
which was considered so valuable, that 1t was
published in a political paper. Any one who
read it could but see that it was quite poiica.
Democratic ministers within half dozen years
have attended, as members, political CONVEX
tons, for the nomination of State, county, and
other officers. Even in the present year, IL
one county, minister, who was the only one
that voted with the Democrats in that part Of
the State, attended the caucus Just before the
election, and was an active member.
In all these and other cases that might be
named, there was no complaint that ministers
were meddling with politics. No, no; that
was all very well. They were patriotic, and
" for their countryi'
But since 1885 a change has been taking
place. The Democratic party proving recream
to the true principles of Democracy as they
were maintained in the days of jefferson
ministers have left it. The party becoming
prostituted to the upholding of Slavery ana "
the extension of it, ministers have been LEAVING
it, so that at present but very few support Ii
Perhaps out of $50 ministers now IN the olae
there are not fifty that are of the Democrat,
party. Hundreds of the ministers are oppose
to Slavery. They are for Temperance, Peaci
and Liberty. They do not make these the SUI
iects of their discourses; they pray for thCsc
in bonds, and occasionally some OF them maAS
Gods violated law speak out IN tones OF thur
der. This is more particularly the case on lIS
ANIMAL fast and thanksgiving days. Formerly
those DAYS had become seasons for amusemen!
and feasting, so that churches contained bni
few hearers. Now more attend.
But while ministers have been taking this
course, some of the people have been in agony
Ministers could be active in politics while Dem
ocrats but to be active for the cause OF Free
dom, Oh, "that alters the easel" And suCh
ado, perhaps, was never heard on such sud SUD,
ject before. "Church and State united!
Ministers preaching politics!" I" Ministers
gectioneering and the like, have been yocl'
Grated loud and long. Editors of political pa
pers have called upon the people to leave inc
illustrations of such political priests, al ii
some of the people have declared they Wp pD,
not hear, nor help support, such ministers. DU'
the heavens have not fallen, as yet. CO..
! Quite O number of ministers in the ota,o
have gone into the Know Nothing movement.
Of this have nothing TO say, as to deiendlns
them. A little time will show whether 'n'
course was wise or not.
That class who have denounced munster
for meddling with politics, as described above
and who have left meetings, now feign them,
selves as hungry for the Word of Life. lhfy
want ministersi who do not meddle with Ron
tics. No, they must not be politicians. Ihej
nav say in pablic that Slavery must be lS'
alone; that the Fugitive Slave Act is a a iasi
and must be obeyed they may attend P0l'''N