The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-01-11

There are some journals in the Northern
cities which never seem so happy when
they can get hold OF case of immortality
among clergymen, and blaZon it to the world
in all the publicity that type can give it. making
it also the subject of editorial comment, so as TO
bring as much shame as possible, not only upon
the individual, bat upon his calling. 1t is one
of the peculiar characteristics of minds OF 4
certain order to pursue with most ardor and
worry with most pertinacity, those who are
mos, weak and detencele*s. The vocation OF
a clergyman prevents him from redressing
with his own hand insults and injuries he
cannot even give back hard words; he Is
bound by the laws of his religion to return
good for evil and blessing for cursing; or, II
he does not, he exposes himself at once TO Inc
charge OF being a hypocriie. SO that al! those
valiant and werlike spirits who delight III
hunting down non-con ba tants have that kind
Of fine sport with the clergy which hunters
have with birds, and they never miss their
mark, as the best hunters sometimes do, when
other marksmen are taking aim at them.
Added To that manly pleasure of torment
ing the detenceless is peculiar hate OF the
clerical order, which is far more common III
the Northern than in the Sou thern States.
Infidelity having perVaded the great mass OF
society in that section, there is naturally
strong antipathy TO The recognized expounders
of the Christian Faith. Many of the clergy
in those States have given considerable cause
for this prejudice, III their desecraiion of the
pulpit by political preaching, and others have
incurred the odiIm with which their order is
regarded by acts of downright profiigacy. No
one can claim for the clerical pr0fesslon-its
mem bers do not claim for them selYes-eaemp-
ton from the common frailties and passions
of human nature. Nor can any mode be de
vised To prevent the possibility OF designing
and evil men finding their way IN to the pulpit.
There are such men, no doubt; there are
wolves in Sleeps clothing; but these are OK
captional cases, so spoken of by the GooG
shepherd himself, and evidently so to every
man who knows ANY thing of the general de
pertinent and character of The clergy, or who
ever exercises his reason and observation.
Certainly. IT is not a profession which
bilious. covetous or n wicked man would
select as affording the best road 10 wealth, or
power, or sensual qualification. The aver
age annual compensation of ciergymen in
The Protestan churches Of Great Britain aud
the United States cannot exceed four hundred
dollars, whilst the Roman Catholic clergy
men are bound by their ordination vows To 3
life OF poverty. Clergymcn are not permitted
TO hold office, and, where the voluntary system
prevails as it dJes everywhere in America
they are a the mercy of their tl0cks for even
their limited means OF subsistence Their
whole conduct and even their words are watch
ed by thousand viglant eyes. This is not Il
profession certainly which a man of ambition
or of evil propensities weuld select as afford
ing the most direct aud secure Incde OF graft
flying his passions.
or course, crime among the clergy is more
reprehensible and ought to bring down hea-
vier condemnation upon the criminal than
among men who do not assume to be guides
of the people IN religion. But we insist thai
it is IN ust IL make a whole profession respCn-
sible for the act OF some JUDAS among them
and that ii is panderipg to depra Y ed appetite
10 seize upon occasional offences as is the Gus
tom among some journals in the large cities
and hold them up as fair specimens Of the
character and conduct of Il whole class of men
The exhibition of satisfaction in human
fraiity, of pleasure when a good man fails and
when professors of virtue bring discredit on
virtue itself. may afford Infinite relish TO Jour-
nalists of certain descriptions OF tastes: but it
is for the reason THAI Nia,. like misery loves
company. 1t is because their own apnetites
are grovelling that they finG solace in the ex-
posure of other mems frailties. especially the
trailties OF ciergymcu. 1t l. because the frail-
lies of clergymen bring discredit on the sys-
tenn of morals which they represent, aud vea-
ken the power Of that system over their own
corrupt propensities. "A public press which
thus saps the tounda ions OF morality and de-
cency, demoraIZes mankind more in one day
than all the false priests of religion have ever
demoralized ii from the beginning of time