Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-04-23
THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY.


States have united with our religious newspapers Il
offer signal and, we trust, decisive rebuke to h
fanatcal attempt TO render the American Tract So
cety the vehicle of abolition dissemination. Tht
"New York Journal of Commerce." has published
almost simultaneously, the came communication
which appeared in the "Central Presbyterian" of the
18th instant and both papers accompany it with
editorial articles breathing the same conservative
sentiment
! The facts Of the easily stated. Some thir
ty years ago. the American Tract Society was found
ed, with the single object Of furtherng the cause o
religious instruction. From its foundation up TO the
present time, it has adhered to q system OF
publication, strictly confined 10 the c1empfca,ion
of the great truths of Christianity, az recognized
without exception or difference, by all protestant
evangelical churches. So far from giving counte
nance to political discussion religious contro-
veray has been excluded by the fundamental laws of
the Society. The wisdom of such brotherIy union
for the sake of Gods holy truth, has been amply jus
tifed before the world in the precious benefits which
have resulted The wide and unobstructed field thus
opened to the combined eIertions of different secs of
Christians, has yielded aharvsst exceedingly rich in
present usefulness and developed still greater pro-
mise for the future Every section of the Union
now contributes to the wealth and enjoys the extend
ed benefits of religious society, which brings for
ward the guarantee Of thirty years labor in the cause
Of religious TRUTH untarnished by single publica-
tion offensive to any class Of citizens Yielding milk
for babes, it has aso found mest for strong men,
Christians have been influenced by its example to
push the requirements of religious fellowship beyond
ha Of fnI.r nd IN itn in tl
dissemination of cardinal truths to the neglect of mi
nor differences on points of faith.
This il the state Of things which political preiu.
dice now comes toward to disturb. Abolition propa.
gandsis are rayng their forces preparatory to an at
tempt, on the next anniversary Of the nstiiution the
18th of May, to overthrow the existing regulation by
which the Society sis prohibited from publications
involving subjects Of controversy among evangelical
Chrisans," or "topcs Of local or sectional charao
ter"
Ii is our province more particularly TO consider
the political bearing of this attempt to section
alize a religious society. We recognize to the
full extent tho necessity Of Christian teaching TO
the security Of Democratic government. And we
ara willing to acknowledge debt of gratitude
to the Tract Society, for the political effect
which il has produced in strengthening the ground
work OF religious virtue upon which our govern
mental fabric reposes, as well as for maintaining the
great political principle of religious freedom. We
can do this the more unreservedly since the political
party TO which we attached has Of late years be
come the nos powerful enemy Of religious intole.
rance. The Democratic party has been obliged to
proclaim anew the doctrine that free govern
ment has not even the power of mere tolera.
ton. Religious liberty, in ito fullest acceptaton,
has superaeded not only the curse Of reli
gious intolerance, but its immediate successor,
the oN-pring of exceptional despotic indulgence
Neither Protestant nor Catholic has yet been obliged
to pray to Democratic sovereignty for federation or
Indulgence. Each proudly claims the inviolabIs im
munity OF undisturbed faith and worship, for the en-
counsble to his Maker We repeat that we acknow.
I-dse The efficacy Of the American rract Society for
the maintenance Of this bnlwark OF political principle
But while the Society powerful to advance il pow
ercss materially, 10 infringe this necessary element
nj our organic law. When The Society shall be per
mted 10 depart from the teaching Of scrptura truth
10 mingln in The dust OF political controversy--esp8
cislly of poco fans,ical srifs-it will not seal the
doom either Of church or State il will simply pro.
nounce its own death warrant. True patriots and
pous Christaua, OF all seoons and persuasons, will
Withdraw Immediately from the association, leaving
it to speedy bankruptcy in pocket and in numbsrs
we'll ~ principle. Such will be the Immediate and
necessary consequence of any successful attempt to
substitute the bread fife for the husk-not of re
gous. but of political controversy.