The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-09-06
The rs.wsS<lxsltkal Ktec
New Ele


Dental election Is assuming new forms and
phases Observation-Disclosures alone have been
the clief impulses by which the public mind has
been s-yayed or through which il has arrived ut
its conclusions. The under currents OF CONNER
ci1 and religious interests have hut slightly ag,
tased the movements OF the electors. But IL
scgns tat other views are obtaining, and other
consequences are at hand, than those ordinarily
within the control Of politicians.
We perceive that the enactment of the Kansas
Territorial code is giving alarm to vast number
cf tie people, especially 70 those whe have re-
garded previous political struggles with compare
tise Indifference. But the spectacle having been
presented Of legislature, elected by the M
checked interference of brutal force against the
wishes Of actual and legal residents and OF the
passage Of laws not only infringing ordinary civil
aAd political rights, but actually ovefthrowing
liberty Of speech Of the press and Il conscience,
| is one az which good men naturally revolt, and
| from which they turn away vita horror. TO dis
qualify a citizen from being juror because
from moral doubts he i opposed 10 holding
slaves-to make il felony If he should
speak against the right OF others to hold
tbem--was bad enough bet 10 make
the mere utterance Of sentiment On the subject
punishable with five years Imprisonment is 80 At
rocious az innovation upon the rights Of freemel
as TO create general burst Of Indignation AID
more than this: 10 make that imprisonment utterly
uncomfortable by the addition of the ball and chain
and handouts. to couple together those un!ortu-
mates who emutually guilty Of having hearts and
lips. is a feature as astounding IS any which has
marked the infections Of ancient and modern ty-
rants. Nothing surpasses, indeed, the atrocous-
ness Of such legislation except that which has
filed the dungeons OF the Inquisition crowded
the pathway TO the Bridge Of Sigta. The legisla-
ton of the usurpng law makers OF Kansas is Of .
character SO unjust 80 iniquiteCs SO audac.ous.
that we not only do not wonder al the resistance
they have met with in that Territory, but we are
astonshed beyond expression that the people Of
the United States have No. risen ec mfsse against
their enforcement; We are amazed tina. any par
ty considerations, any sectional interests, any
local prejudces or political schemes, whatever,
should be allowed for moment to retard their
overthrow.
But there i, happily for our country. a very
larGe and influential class Of citizens who caanot
be swayed hy any such considerations and arr
calmly but firmly breestng the shock which threat
the very existence Of or civil ADD moral free
dom. We mean especially these whose scnti-
nents are Of religious cast, who form the
great body OF American Christian worshippers,
whose conduct i governed by the precepts Of the
GOSPEL, and whose name is in all the churches."
Differences OF opinion have. il is true, for few
years back existed to one question. in its doc
trina character and in it. responsibilities separa
tions among religious sects have taken PLACE on
tie abstraction, by Itself considered but none
whatever has existed az to the right Of discussing
it-none as to the freedom Vi opinion which
should be allowed TO exist with regard t. Is ORR
Gin. is bearings. or it. remedies. Political con-
tests have not hitherto been considered the pro-
per arena whore mere moral opinions should
become an element Of party strife. But when .
dominant porty-one seated in power, and s,rug-
Cling TO maintain i;-gocs 50 far as - originate
ard enforce the most baIbarous 0! statutes, to
back them m with standing army, and 70
point tie tayonet al every bosom that heaves
With iDdigng;ion-to gag every mouth that ut
ters on honest ihough'-to lll the public prisons
With al who dare express even a sentiment--it i
not to b. wondered At that even the most cnre-
ss;ing Of our religious communities should awake
to q sense of their impending danger. new
element, therefore, follows the new issue and IA
about to be expressed IN q new sphere OF action.
We find that element. thus called forth % b.
formidable in numbers ard influence. Beginning
with what are called the Evangelical and Pro-
testant churches, We perceive the Baptists Of the
United States present array Of
Associations ........ sse Minister'S ......... o4-s
Churches. ........ li.l7o Numbers 1sis sep
The Presbyterans (both schools) have
presbyteries . ..... 25s Minister'S. ......... gs2s
Churones..... 4,7ss Communicates .3.4.as
The Methodists, including the Methodist Chsrch
Souih-which, however is not unanimous. either
in Maryland Delaware, Virginia or Missouri. On
the dividing question, bat in large numbers al
heres to the Methodist Episcopal Church Of the
NORTH number, together az follows
M r. Church sosa N D. cArreh So4A
Ministers Lac Mnisters .......... 4.s9
Aemocrs. SO 49, Members So
The LutheTans have
rinsers........... Leo Members s2s,oo2
The Quakcrs are understood 10 have from 800
10 $50 congregations but their total number l.
unknown.
The Episcopalians have
coorchss.......... 1873 Members .ios,sso
Ministers a.
II We add to these the other classes OF Chris
tians organized in churches. including the Dutch
Reformed and Conucgationalsts with the Prr--
Vs. tcrians. and the MoraviaDs with the Ep'scopa-
lians. VIC will find their aggregates ia The fol-.
lowing statement
ChHrchss. Niaistsrf. Nssls-,
FViscopalian ..... 1893 l.74s los so
Presbyterian. ~ h.s SlT2 s-asls
R4pt4i...........tlOfu $40 i3l9 80
Methodist lace $40 ls0gtei
Lutheran ........ .oto 600 5000
Eut there Is al-o an nmonec numerical aud
moral force In tia. American pn,,a, Da,h..ttc