Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-04-04
A cierrxmnn IN the Field.


The last Valley Star publishes an hnii-Kncw
Nothing communication signed Buckingham, y
|taken from The Richmcnd Examiner The com-
tnunication is headed, patriotic Sentiments of
an Eminent Clergyman in Virginia. and the
writer commences by stating that he is "a cer-
gyman of an inyeterately Protestant denomina-
ton of Christians" He Is induced to publish
his views at this time by the request of "a dis
tant friend" who is member of the same
charch lie says: II should have very little
objection to complying with this request, reason
ably made, at any time: but feel the less dis
posed to decline, when requested by one of those
,chose official teacher I am By the constitution OF
a church which we have both voluntarily Joined. {"
There are some features in this communication
which merit brief comment. Ministers OF the
Gospel have certainly the same rightas any 9TH
class Of citizens to express their sentiments up
on all questions OF public interest. Some poliii
cal partizans have denied them this privilege,
but we concede it 10 the fullest extent. Wheih-
er the welfare Of the Church can be promoted by a
minister who stands befure the community as an
active party politician, is another question, vhch
ecclesiastical tribunals must decide. But in this
case the minister assumes to speak 'irlue of
his Office, following the example Of those fanati
cal New England preachers who undertook, ca
Cathedra, to denounce the vengeance Of God up
on the advocates of the Nebraska bill. lie is.
by the constitution of the Church, an ''oficial
teacher,'' and therefore claims the right, at the
request of number of his flock, to address the
public This is claim which the public will
be slow to admit. And we would ask when the
constitution Of the church appointed minister
the ''ollicial teacher' of his flock upon political
questions, or the 'teacher" of ''a distant friend"
upon any question? 1t strikes us that the wri-
Ter claims wide field, and that he is burdening
himself by assuming to teach upon too many sub
jects We admire, however, tie soliciiude-per-
haps literally raternal-whch induces him to
encounter the labor
Another remarkable fact connected with this
production is, that pastoral letter should be pub
lishea in the Richmond Examiner! The wrl
ter is an ''ol1ica teacher" in the church, but he
does not send his essay to u paper paironlzed by
the members of his communion, where we u
sually look for such things. How is this? Has
the Examiner became an organ Of the church =
Is Saul also among the prophets? Possibly
Rockingham" was attracted by the Examiners
recent lucid exposition of the law Of Moses touch
ing the Know Nolhngs, and was thus induced to
utter his ''oifical teachings" through lis columns
II So we can only express our surprise that an
.'ollicial teacher" should not be better inter
prefer Of Scripture, and respectfully refer him to
the reply of sam, jr.,' see the outside of this
paper, who successfully shows that Muses. and
''Sam" are fully agreed, 50 far as the latter goes.
But we recolect the Examiner has taken upon
tself the organising of church. Some time in
February last it published highly wrought eu
logy upan the Church of Rome! "A clergyman
OF an inve,erately Protestant denomination of
Christians" has chosen strange mouth-pece.
We pass over the various points made by
thC ANHo" 1'ptHi'SS.
merely remarking that he is most unnecessarily
apprehensve Of an anti Catholic persecution, and
that from the fearful list which he gives OF native
Americans who have proved traitors, we begin to
think law ought 10 be passed excluding natives
rom places of trust and influence. But how will
Mr.. Wise regard his new ally? Every budy
knows how bitterly he has denounced the Pfoles-
iant clergy for their aledged encouragement Of
The Know Nothing movement. Clerical interior
ence in politics he extremely deiesis. He de-
riares, ''Proiesiant Popes do dread more than l
do Catholic Popcs-Popes at home more than l
DO Pope of Italy" There is, however, an old
adaue that circumstances alter cases. In the one
Ease it is Mr.. Wise's OK that's eored in the 9th
er it is his opponents-that makes he difference.
The Valley Star copies "Ruckiugham's" COM
nuncaton and we inter that IL endorses 1t through
out--no dcuot the Star approves it IN ever partic
ular. Now let us see VIVA the Star thinks Of a
religious newspaper which 10 some extent takes !
the other side. In the same number Of the Star
in which Rockingham appears we find long ed
torial commenting upon an extract from the Phil
adelphia '.Presby terrain" The writer says
I've will communicate to the editor of the |
Presbyterian for his future guidance, the fact Of
which he seems to be iguorant. that his presbyte
rian readers in Virginia think tor themselves and
ac! for themselves in political matters, free from
the dic,a,ion alike of papal bulls from Rome, and
presbyterian bulls from Philadelphia. No men
regard with more reverence all that emanates
iron the papers and pulplts Of their church with
in their legitimate sphere, but when they leave
this to take he place of the partisan and fight Inc
battles Of political party. their poticu religious
harangues and essays have not the weight o. the
paper upon which they are written. They siak
themselves to the raat Of The com,aonest stump or
Giors and ne,cspaper scribbiers, and as such their
importance is eStimated."
There it is! bulls from Philadelphia" are
but bulls from 'Rcckingham' are
just the thing.
Bolts and 1IcComas.
The statement has been going the rounds Of