The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-04-11
From tho Providenee Post.
POLITICAL PREA CHING.


unteered We said of ii that il would pjure the demo-
cratic party but for moment that very its influence
would cease to be felt la the eecons and thereafter
nearly all is evil Consequences would be confined to the
good GAUGE in whose behalf il profesed to to
We think the present proper time TO call the attention
Of Christian men, and of Christian ministers especially
the view OF this subject Of political preaching which has
uniformly been taken in columns The excitement
which in part resulted FROM and part the precursor
and Of this kind OF preaching has passed away The
political atmosphere has had five months of quiet
All the fury of partisan warfare apparent from June
until November is gone. Aud think and speak and
act with calmuess and comparative caudor. What better
time may hope for if would ask the question
What has been gained by political preaching2
And while asking the question, there certainly
be no improperly in stating few very simple and pal
pable truths. The first is that God had nothing To do with
this kind OF preaching We do not by this that there
is not Providence in thing, for sincerely believe
that there is. But We do TO say that God evil
IDENTIFY did ordain this preaching fundamentally
by which accomplish the overthrow OF the democratic
party He did not bess the work did the work at
any time bear any mark Of his approval That there
human sincerity and in much of do
doubt but there too much that upkind and bitter
and terrible TO mark il The work of God We heard In
IL that God had cursed and would scorch and wher and
blight and blast, portion of country Bat God did
not do H. and only believed that He would because
madness upon them. We heard in il that God had
nominated Fremont to make him the saviour of the nation
but God did not elect him, and it is apparent enough
that both the fact aud the prophecy the offspring OF
excited imagination. Plainly enough God did
mand these religious teachers say to what they did
say Even il approved ths purpose they had in view
II is evident that He did not accomplish their
time and through the means they had selected.
And now again to the question: What sras ac-
complished by this preaching Has any other good
suit than that which the preachers promised been secured
u, Al.
ter for III IL the condition Of the slave Or the slaves pros
poets better for it2 Il the church better for it, "a any
body better for it7
We think of good that has OF this whrl-
wind The people and the church have each learnt i'm
porant lesson The people have learnt that it ia dangerous
bring Church and Stale closely together that they
allow their religious teachers become their
sstes in political business a ,rs They have learnt
that cergymen fablr, we'll mortal; that they
make mistakes sometimes that when they depend npon
Greeleys Tribune instead Of Gods Word for their infor
maiion they quite likely TO preach lsehood and that
when they throw Themselves Into the hottest OF pariisin
warfare aud adopt the weapons of the depraved they be-
unsafe leaders, and fill their hearts with
bitterness and hatred.
The church has learned that 1t gain nothing by
bringing itself to the partisan level and dabbng in the
work of demagogues thai il thereby Increases neither it's
moral strength and purity its nnmbers its na
eaee that the respect with aheh the world looks upon
il vanshea away that the admiration of its devoes
dies when il goes search of other gods II has been
taught the fearful lesson Taught by the revelation in
France for there need of terrible warning IL
been stricken down the churches of France
stricken down when their priests had waowed in the
very mi ca of politics But that il has been wounded
that 1t has lost something oil its powerha il has placed
fearful weapons in The hands of It's enemes:hat IL has
embitierei thousands perhaps millions, who respect
eli and almost loved none will deny, In language too
plain us be misnn dersood il has been told
to wash its hands OF canal wsrfareto purify ITSELF and
seek then by less violent 10 purify the world
These lessons taught in the tangible evils resulting from
political preaching have been brought home to the people
and the church Both wiser for the great mistake made
by the teachers What besides has been gained
The democratic party though not defeated In the nation
nor dshearenel where, undoubtedly much weak
ened in hunters by this of the religious teach
The church carried FIVE six northern States
for Fremont probably Toe number Of organizations
aboring with the unanimiy, and having the same
outward facilities though having different bas might
have accomplished nearly much. Two three thou
sand respectable men, standing The head of three
thousand purely literary societies. two three
thousand engine companies If scattered through the towns
aud cities of New England might have done great deal
to defeat the democratic party And the churches and the
ministers did great deal, linguistic nablv But what
good Are the churches purer better united better sat
sR,d with themselves stronger for good works and no
.nces more Jealous for godnes2 Do Christians love
their ministers with stronger love do they love each
other moie Aud has the world higher nobler, bet
ter, stronger regard more sin ere respect for the
church? These questions for Christians to answer
Can they avoid thinking Of them?
And while thinking of them, will they not seriously
ask themselves il those ministers the Gospel who though
strong in their attachments to the democratic party he'd
their peace during the late exciting struggle do not occupy
higher far higher position than such mingled in the
strife Of the opposition IL 1t not something for the demo-
cratic party be proud Of and to boast Of that of the
thousands OF ministers who loved its many of them
men of great nfnenceRot invited 10 carry poll
tics into the sacred desk or deliver political bsrangues
in Other paces2 In the city of New York about
of the preachers embracing several doctors Of divinity
were known by their intimate friends to be democrats
Not on Of them we believe addressed political meet
ing Not one OF them that heard of preached
partisan sermon. Think you reader would these men
change places to-day with the ministers who loudest
in their shouts for Fremont Nay, would not thousands
Of class gladly say Of themselves that they also
had been silent2
Our purpose has not BEEN 10 thess remarks to ember
the feelings of any class Of political opponents by
kind comments upon the past But the psst has it's les
soma and to these we have called attention Will not
those for whom our words are intended, that the
crushing wind has gone by give their thoughts to the
subject have spoken upon and inquire 10 their hearts
for the still, small voice y
GENERAL JAcKsoSs GOLD Mr.. Valentine, clerk Of
the common council who addressed letter three
weeks ago Andrew Jackson D Of Tennessee inquirng
If the gold box bequeathed by General jackson to be be-
hraua