Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-09-22
The Great Reaction.

party and its principles have aroused the
opposition to the necessity of renewed
efforts to check the onward progress of the
setting in tide whose continued flow
bids fair to leave them in the position of
camp of leaders without followers
Hence the confusion and fluttering exhib
ted by the opponents of the present Admin
istration, and of the true party OF the peo
pie, whom it SO faithfully and ably repres-
ents. There is not single issue remain
ing of those which have been raised in the
past or present upon which the caurse of
the democratic party has not been triumph
antly sustained by the verdict of the peo-
pie. 1t seems to be admitted by the 'op-
position that upon the old issues and 'isms'
that they raised to mislead and misguide
the masses no further dependence can be
placed.
The mystery of know nothingism' has
been exposed, and its power effectually des-
troyed. AS a national political party it
cannot be considered as having an exist
enco. The sudden rise and more sudden
fall OF this faction, whose objects and aims,
if they had been successfully carried out
and attained, infallibly would have destroy
ed the true intent, spirit, and meaning of
the doctrines promulgated in the Declara-
ton of Independence and the provisions of
the Constitution of the United States, ought
to be warning to all good and welmean-
ing men not rashly to enter into and en-
brace any new 'ismS' which the invention
or desperation Of the opposition may bring
forth. Let such men bear in mind how
many Of them were deceived and led astray
not only from sound political principles,
bat even to q departure from Christian
charity, in the support of this pestilent
faction in its early and palmy days. How
many men are there who, when they saw
or read of Catholic churches given to the
} flames in the broad light of day in popu-
lous and heretofore peaceable city, and
its streets dyed with the blood of It's citi-
zens, regretted from their inmost hearts
ever having countenauced an ism pro-
ductive Of such results? And yet it is
but too true that there were men so car
ried away by religious bigotry and intol-
eIance that such outrages. if not receiving
their public commentator, were silently
approved Of No! SO, however, with the
democratic party and the people at large.
To them tie protection of ''civil and relig-
ious liberty" is an imperative duty enjoined
by our Institutions and principls of gov
ernment, which they are bound to adhere
to and support under all circumstances and
against all assailants. without distinction,
no matter whet they present themselves
in the shape of an armed mob, or in tie
character of political zealots or clerical
bigots and fanatics. 1t is. unfortunately,
the error of many well. l.meaning but impul-
siye dispositions to embrace with ardor,
and without deliberaion on the consequ-
ences to which it may lead, any new "ism"
or political dogma which the opponets of the
democrat party may devise to interest and
attract the support Of the psople. Nc
sooner is one their schemes exposed and
defeated and laid aside by them, like the
cast t-of pices of a theatre, than some new
one is started with the hope that it will
prove more attractive and drew new dupes
to their support. The great masses of the
people are, however, too Intelligent to be
imposed upon by the repetition ofthese Jug
gleries, which have become as stale as the
ordinary tricks ola common mountebank
1t was not, however, alone in the explod
ed know-nothing excitement that religious
bigotry, intolerance, and assumption have
manifested themselves in the political
concerns Of the day. Mnch to the regret
and dissatisfaction OF the great mass Of the
Christian community of all denominations.
ii is fixed fact that in some portions OF
the Union those who profess to have devot-
ed themselves to the teaching Of the gospel
of Christ have descended from their high
avocation to enter again the arena ofpolitics,
where, by their one -ideaism, they do but
contribute to promote dIscord and enmity
among men, instead of adhering, as they
should do, to their vocation to preach "good
will and peace among men on earth" We
refer, of course, to the Interference of those
who have assumed clerical functions in the
matter of what is termed the slavery or alb
olition question, which is nothing more nor
less than the .'ism" that the democratic
party, and all true believes in, and supper
ters of, our Constitution and Government
will have TO meet and conquer in the cam
paign of 1850 That such will be the
result, no one at all familiar with the signs
of the times" can entertain doubt.
1t is not our desire nor intention TO give
advice to those who occupy pulpits; but
it is one of the undeniable causes OF the
increased popularity Of democratic princi-
piles and measures that many thinking men
and practical Christians have arrived at
the conviction that clerical teachers in po.
lical affairs are unsafe guides. and out OF
their proper element. when they assumed
!. The province and work of the political prop
agandist.. How these reverend gentlemen
can reconcile it to their conscience and vows
as teachers religion, to actively ente. ona
canvass which. if successful, would over
throw the fair fabric of our Institutions and
destroy the liberties We now ENJOY, weknow
-not--secured as they were to us. by the
blood, and treasure and wisdom of our FORE
fathers. We except, and hope. and know.
that the great majority of Christian miu-r
listers, like the larger proportion of theft
congregations, are opposed to the abuse o
clerical ability and position to the propaga
ton x,f israeli ond cchaoaa tho tom