Mountain Democrat., 1857-10-10
The Prrsident's Letter.

oShSs ~ WAA ~ ANShA VIZ OAA Ah fNSN' |
1t is just such document as We might ex-
pect to emanate from the pen of that ven {
erable statesman. It has that SOlidity Of
thought, that perspicuity Of language,
that condensation ofargument which grace
and distinguish the literary efforts Of the
founders of the Republic.
He satisfies himself with q mere refu-
tation Of the charges they mako against
him, and treating them with more respect
than they deserve, although they charge
him with violation of his " solemn oath"
and with treason, he makes no counter
charges, but invokeS their aid in "allay-
ing the existing sectional excitement on
the subject of slavery which has been pro
ductive of much evil and no good" He
sets to the people, whose Chief Magistrate
he is, an example of forbearance and
teaches, by that "kind answer which
turneth away wrath,' that before We
charge our ncighbors with fault, we should
take care that we acquaint ourselves with
the facts upon which the charge is prcdi-
Gated. There is moro of that true reli-
gious sentiment, of that Christianity de- |
scribed by Daniel Webster, as "Christi-
anity Independent of sccts and parties,
that Christianity to which the sword and
the iagot are unknown, general, tolerant
Christianity" pcrvading every line of his
reply, than in the whole memorial; the
combined effort, as it is, of forty teachers
of Christian faith. We have been taught
to vcnerate the men who devoted their
energies and their talents to the ministry,
and to regard the Christian religion itself
as the foundation of civil society and the
most potent guarantee Of the stability Of
our form Of government. And it is be-
cause We so sincerely recognise the bcnc-
fits which have resulted to the world, and
more than all to our own nation; from
the teachings Of those ministers Of the
gospel, who have zealously and at every
sacrifice, gone forth that the lights and
the blessings Of Christianity might shine
upon and be enjoyed by the people, that
it is more with pain than in anger, that VIC
find some Of that calling now pursuing .
course which must surely lessen their in
fluence, curtail their power for doing good
and deprive them of that respect which
attaches to their sacred mission. It has
been the boast of the American ministry,
that they wcro sclf-sustaining, supported
by the voluntary contributions of their
parishioncrs and not by the aid Of govern.
ment-that here, at least, there was no
union between Church and State. And
to this noble fact was truly attributed
their great and beneficial power. But Of
late we find numbers whose unQuict spir-
its cannot rest satisfied with the approves.
Of their own conscienccs, the love, respect
and gratitude of those whose cares they
should sooth, and whose lives they should
cnliven by teaching of the promised here
after. Forgetful Of the command Of their
Master, to go forth and preach the Cos
pei to all the World" they desert their
posts and mingling in the strife Of politi-
cal parties, slake their ambitious thirst for
notoriety in the foul waves of dcmagogue-
ism. But worse than all, before entering
the political arena, they do not lay aside
their clerical habiliments, butrelying upon
their position, upon the respect the Amer
ican people have for their religion, they
unite in memorials; conformity denounce
all who do not bow in meek obedience to
the oligarchy they compose. An Oligar-
chy unknown to our laws except to be
forbidden by them, an oligarchy which
has torn asunder different religious de-
nominations, driven pastors from their
flocks, left churches of the Most High ten
antlcss-which prcsumcs to dictate to the
law makers chosen by the people, which
madly derldes and endeavors to reverse
the decisions of the highest judicial tribu-
nails Of the land, and unblushingly charges
perjury and treason upon the Chief Ex-
ecutive of the Nation. As citizens of the
Republic let them freely speak and act
upon all questions, political or otherwise,
but as teachers Of Gods Word, If they
would retain their ability to do good, let
them avoid oil contact Of their pure and
holy duties with the contamination which
the strifes Of parties engenders.
Mr.. Buchanan has administered to such
men a scorching and whitening rebukc,
and although it may not induce those to
whom it is addressed to aid him in the re-
establishment of fraternAl feeling among
the people, it cannot fail to deter others
from similar attempt to interfere with
the constitutional prcrogative of the Pres
ident. At all events, men will hesitate
before they charge dereliction of duty up
on that officer, in matter that they are
ignorant Of. For some time to come, We
apprehend that the memorialiStS will
preach moro sermons and fewer political
harangues than they have heretofore done.
Coon WoRK.-Thc collectors of foreign
miners taxes for Tuolumne county col
lected $1,sOs during the week, ending
Saturday September 2G, and on Monday,