The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1859-12-14
The Religious Press on Murder
and Murderers.

The ar iele below is one OF severalof similar tone
and tenor published by the religious papers of
Northern cities. These papers have often large
circulation and proportional. influence, especial
~ among class who take no political papers and
seldom hear other political speeches than those
which are made from the pulpit by Aboltionist
Cereymen Such sentiments as the following are
symptoms Of reaction; but whether that reaction
will be great or small, permanent or transient is
not yet known. Meantime We need not be de.
ceived as to the abiding fsnaticism of those who
condemn Brown and his followers. The riot,
treason and murder which grew from seed which
they planted appal them, bat their opinions and
feelings are not changed
HARrER's FERRY.-For several weeks. SAYS the
Herald Of Truth, public feeling has been intensely
sIeised By the insane attempts to create IN nsur.
rscsion at Harpers Ferry. The press, in all parts
OF the country, has expressed its sentiments in un.
ristakeable language-thc pulpit has not been 81.
lent ON this absorbing topic, and every community
has been more or less agitated by such an unes.
pscted and lawless occurrence. The actors in the
affair have either perished 10, their mad attempt
OF been given over to pubic justice, to awa,t the
stroke OF It's vengeance. 1t would be we'll If much
lcss bad been written and spoken about this matter
An Importance and significance have been attri.
buted to it which it never deserved, and passions
have heen aroused by it which ought always to
have slumbered. 1t was the futile ATTEMPT of few
fanatics to break down law, trample upon right,
and inEade the peace and quiet of community, as
pirates and robbers attack and destroy their inno
cent and unsuspecting victims.
Aside from all political aspects, we regard this
transaction as direct and open violation of all
The principles and teachings of the gospel, and the
Siekly sympathy with the adrenturers in it, as a
sympathy with wckedness and bloodshed. We
csnnot understand why ruffians and muraerers
should be screened from the just consequences of
their msdeeds, or @hy the insurgents in this par
.sieular case have any claim to the compassion of
orderly citizens. To U.s. the most painful feature
Of this whole transaction is the utter disregard of
Christina principle Bible justice, that has been
manifested 10 almost every quarter, in reference
70 it. On the one hand, the brutal vengeance of
An excited popaiaee has been invoked against tbe'
wretched prisoners. as il great and powerful COM
mon" ealth could not be magnanimous enough to
vindiate her justice by its legitimate exercise; and
on the other hand a misplaced sympathy has been
demanded Tor men who had no sympathy for their
victims, and were ready to wash their hands in the
blood OF the innocent. Well might heathen,
viewing these things, ask If we were indeed a
Christian people. We deem the spirit that has
prompted these various expressions of opinion
radically wrong. We think, those pulpts thatb
been made the arena for encouraging or palliating
outrage and crime have been prostituted TO base
purpo e, and that the preaching, that becomes an
apology for violence, is not the preaching that
wins souls and promotes peace and good will
among men. Crime is not the less wicked because
the perpetrator of it may think its commission
duty, and "they that take the sword" and 90
forth TO the execution of unhoy purposes, may
eoRfd ntly expect that they shall perish by the
sword
Whit our country most needs, is to be perraded !
BY the pirit OF Me gospel as Christ expounded it.
IS hia apostles preached it, as good men in every
iaaseq ent age, have understood and is.culeated
It, Ifthe men, who made the Ubiquitous foray
apon peaceatle community, had loved and prac-
Iced the doctrines OF the gospel, that community !,
would hive been peaceful and undisturbed still.
u the press had due regard to the spirit and re-
aurcmeits of the gospel, It's tone would have been
lar dfie tnt. If those ministers, who have e
preached Harpers Ferry, had preached Christ, n
their hope Of a crown Of rejoicing would be much =
brighter. and their sympathy for the pershing Il *
around aud before them, far more practical and e.
abiding. The gospel is the only safeguard against
anarchy injustice; it makes men good at heart
md virtuous, generous and just in outward life. "a
Let men believe in it, cling to it, and live by it,
e them make il the unfailing rule Of daily conduct Pr
md carry its sanctions into all the relations of So M
ey anil we will be spared the 6ghtngs and fears, a.
nat 10 often disturb our repose and break in upon pf
'uf security. This divine leaven would soon
's'sn the whole lump of our socisl aud govern.
'ensa SYSTEM and make u.s. in every sense, free pf
llgitened and Christian neonla