The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-09-07
Mr., Bucpxnsn's Letter North ana sout


With the exception Of few journals indis-
solubly welded to the ultraist parties North and
South, the public press Of the country has re-
spondcd TO Mr.. Buchanan's letter to Professor
Slliman and his friends in manner which
must be in the highest degree gratifying to the
supporters Of the administration. Even among
those who profess but lukewarm sympathy
with the democracy the calm and practical sug-
gestions, the eogent logic, and the manly can
dor Of the Presidents letter have extorted uni
versal appreciation Throughout the country II
has been remarkable success-a palpable hit.
Of course Professor Silliman and his colleagues
do not look to us for advice az to their conduct
either in public or private life. But they may
perhaps he induced, a men Of some sensc, 10
bestow a little reflection on the Judgment which
the hulk OF the American public are forming on
the step which has brought them so prominently
into public view. Some OF them are men Of
considerable rerute in their particular walk in
life whether that walk Be science. religion, or
abstract philosophy. Professor Sillman himself
has filed a large place in American scientific
records and may be properly regarded a. the
Hitherto, his name has been mentioned with
inyarable Z spect During his long life he
has up to this time done no act that
has taraishcd his reputation. II was re.
served Tor him nov, IL seems, at The
close Of most respectable career, 70 step out OF
bs usual path in order 70 become the tool Of de
signing politicians, and TO ,afnisb 10y folly The
-, - "a,
and honest toll. Whether the act must BE- a.
crbcd to the growing focblcncss Of agc, or to the
incxp,iience in politics for which scientd, men
are remarkable Il Is undcniable that il has
damaged the Professor : reputation cor Judgment
and common sense and no on wbo fCsplcts
tcerce can help refrettlng IL
As to the rank and file Of the clergy who sub
scribod their names to the silly memorial which
elected the Presidents reply, they ned 90. be
treated with 20 much consideration. They are
old offenders. Deeply imbuad with tie thcocratic
spirit Of their predecessors. they have never for
given The politicians for stripping them Of their
dcspotic control over the secular rs we'll q, the
religious concerns Of the people aud on every
possible opportunity they seek 10 revenge them
selves for the injury by maligning our states
men and organizing an oppoeiton 10 them from
The pulpit. We do not believe the county con.
tairs a more foolish or more mischievous body Of
men than the New England clergy without
dwelling on their morals-of which recent events
have I'd many to form no very high opnion-it
may BE- said roundly that a, general rule they
are almost invariably wrong whenever they at
tempt independent thought or action. Their
standpoint 10 life i lad their standards are
falnc their logic !, incorrect heir aims arc
ruerile or mean their ins,rum ,nts unworthy.
VI defy ihCir hst friend to lind ~ a single IN.
s,aoce in al our history when The New Eugisnd
coray took an indcpendtnt course that was not
4 Ntcng ono There seems to b. fatality
about T.
However the great law Of rctribution which
regulate, an ~blunsry affairs, Is sure to come
mto play hero, aud A. the calm reasoning q
President Buchanan's Letter will satisfy every
&C That there Is no ground whatever Tor the
.m',lirs that BIS gone on about bleeding Kan
-.s. 70 - IDLY u the ministers who stepped
out q uciI pulpi,s TO end him impcriincnt ad.
vice ou matters faI removed from their knog.
lecge vii naly have The Eject Of putting the
people q New England N their guard against
III ieoehiDg' 4 their clergy, end taei0g up
oaolf lafriCr against thc cgcroachmcnts or The
~" England thoccracy. Tb,sc parsous will b.
tlA -hsd Nlcrc thgy have sinagd. And when the
tne cones tat tn Protestant clergy of New