The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-05-19
RUMoRED FLIGHT.

HUNDRED flllGHI.
Letters have been received in this city from
entitled to credit stating that Gov. Brigham Young,
of Utah Territory had at the last accounts left Salt
Lake City, with chosen body of two hundred men,
for Washington or Oregon. Some of the writer's ex-
press the belief that Young would endeavor to make
his way to the British possessions on the Pacific.
THE DIVISION OF CHURCHES AND DESTRUCTION
OF THEIR USEFULNESS.
Churches, properly organized and managed, con-
tribute largely to the welfare and happiness of its
members, and to the peace and honor of the commu-
nifty wherein they are located. In our loved Amer-
ca every denomination of Christians enjoys equal
privileges and protection, except in few localities
where bigoted faction has exercised uncharitable
ness, oppression, and tyranny. In such places the
true principles of religion and the prccepts of liberty
and free government trodden under foot. Oflate
have noticed with regret many instances in which
religious institutions have been perverted from
their appropriate objects, and made to minister to
the necessities of politicians. Knownothingsm
commenced its career by diverting many Chris
tians from the worship of God to the work of pro-
scription and punishment, by all the means with
in its power, of all those who respect and confde,
with the masses of Europe, in the faith and rites
of the Catholic Church. The prosecutions grow
ing out of this political combination have their pre-
cedents in the darkest ages of Christianity, and in
the manifestations of the worst passions of man. For
tunatey for the honor of country the errors of
this political sect being abandoned and lib
eral and Christian principles now begin to prevail
II, ale not E,tal IN
the extension and usefulness of Christianity has
manifested itself. band of political fanatics and
agitators, whose moral and Christian manifestations
have failed to secure to them the character and po-
sition which they most ardently covet have to the
extent Of their ability, converted churches into pot
ical arenas, where partisan gadiators could exert
their faculties in resisting and overpowering the
wise and benevolent principles of democratic in
situations Unexceptonable conduct, and strict adj
herence to the rituals and faith of church, could
not shield member from the exactions of blind
and INSCRIPTIONS fanatcism. He must ignore the
principles of the constitution, trample upon the rights
and equality of the States, and engage in political
crusade against the institutions of nearly one half of
them, or be prescribed in every possible way He
must join in unconstitutional movement to control
the people in other States and Territories in establish
ing and managing their internal institutions according
to their of justice and the calls ofinterest
or be denounced as unworthy the name of Christian or
freeman and be heaped with the grossest obloquy.
This subject alone has divided several church Judi
catorics. Many churches, impelled by motives hav-
ing relation connexon with the moral or Chris
tian department of its members or their faith have
been rent asunder by this political topic. This anti
religious element has entered national religious as
semblies and associations, and rent them in twain
one portion receiving the appelation Of North
and the other South" and often arraying these d.
visions in sharp and dscredtable contests with each
other impairing the usefulness of both. Ministers
of the Gospel to forget the lessons of expert
ence, which prove that whenever they engage in the
service of politicians, and pray or preach politics.
they are soon sacrificed by those who seduce them
from the path of Christian duty. The political con-
trivances and necessities of the republicans" in
1856 have ruined the bright prospects of many a
most worthy man, whom they induced to preach, not
Christ and Him crucfed, but the pathfinder :" and
his magni6ed exploits and imaginary qualifications
for the presidency, and the falsely-imputed enorm-
ties and blghtng evils that the success of the de-
mocracy would bring and entail upon our country
1t is gratifying, however to know that the sober Sec
ond thought of many of the clergy as well as their
hocks has led them to repent their errors and to
abandon the of these political EMPIRES which
has been so fruitful of mischief The wise and dis
Greet are fast returning to the path of duty and in
tend to restore their churches to their former posi-
ton Of dignity and usefulness. If they do not faler
in the performance of this duty, they viii repair
the wrong and injury heretofore committed, and
make churches, as their founder intended them in
stitutons for instructing mankind in their religious
duties and guides to Heaven.
DANGEROUS ILLNESS OF SENATOR BUTLER