New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-04
THE PULPIT AND POLITICS.

naugurated, We hope, new era lot the EPisco-
pal pulpit. The sacred duty resting upon the
Clergy to enforce upon their congregations, not
alone the ordinary duties that belong to them in
their social relations as husbands, sons, and
peiQhbors. but those which, under our system OF
government, devolve upon them as the citizens
and sovereigns of this wide Republic, have been,
to fearful extent, ignored, neglected, and de-
MED When in exceptional cases, like that OF
the late Dudley A. Tying, it has been performed
with fearless eloquence, beautiful in one so
young, and that will long keep green his men,
ory; or when, by man like Dr. c. s. Henry,
it has been faithfully and ably enforced, as in his
recent essay on Politics and the Pulpit"
Church journals have We'd with each other
in expressions of Indignation and displeasure.
The result Of this silence on the part of the
Church-to say nothing Of the inhdelity to
which it has naturally led those who judge
Christianity by the Clergy--is seen in the utter
decentralization OF the Federal Government, faith
less to every principle Of honor and Of right
treacherous alike TO friends and foes-permeated
with corruption, and ct last eliminating In
treason.
The Bishop recognizes the crisis " in the
affairs Of our beloved country mo-
nlentous" "a to render apology for his letter
unnecessary "To the eye OF the Christian
patriot" he remarks, what a melancholy
spectacle does tho condition OF this great
country present ~ and he reminds the Clergy
that " the time is come to pause in our head
long career, to open our eyes " wider sur
buiiaa - and IN
ascend TO higher position whence we may
cast look of equal love and regard over the
(" people and fortunes of all these States"
The politician in his selfshness is apt 10 re-
gard only that fraction Of the people who possess
votes and pOwer the merchant and manufacturer
look especially to their correspondents and GUS
TONERS; the advocate or apologist Of Slavery
bethinks him only of the master; the upholder of
an aristocracy Of color confines his survey 10 the
whites; but the Christian Bishop, from his higher
position, instructs his flock to cast 80 look of
equal and loving regard" over all the people,
without limitation or exception, white and black,
bond and free, rich and poor, master aud slave.
Having thus exhibited the spirit in which We
should approach the question, the Bishop counsels
the clergy to proceed to their duty, and reminds
them of great point that il in danger Of
being forgotten. Let US encourage all ear
% nest en- deayor to find out some basis for
permanent settlement of existing questions"
lie warns them against "a sacrifice of princi-
"pe," and says, Let us invoke q spirit Of
Justice and moderation" The letter, which Is
eminently concIliatory in its Tone and so gentle
in it's pleadings that it cannot reasonably give
ofense, closes with the prayer " that this great
" nation may be wise and understanding
" nation exalted by righteousness and preserved
"by a gracious Providence to the end of time
"to be the buwark Of Liberty and true Religion,
" and the home Of the weary and heavy laden of
" oil lands" How long it may be before the
weary and heavy laden Africans shall realize the
fruition of this excellent prayer, God only knows;
but we congratulate the country and Christen-
dom that, at a moment when Southern pulpits
are preaching Slavery and teaching treason, this
petition has assembled TO Heaven from the lips Of
every Episcopal clergyman in the diocese Of New
York.
That all the clergy will BIO equally DESTROYS to
make this country the bulwark Of liberty" is
not to be expected. Some few, perhaps 1--WE beg
their pardon if we are mistakenly, may prefer to
see it " the bulwsrk Of Slarery." Differences of
opinion, too, in regard to our duties citizens,
will undoubtedly exist; but we rejoice that it is
now the recognized duty of all clerymen TO ex-
press their convictions, whatever they may be,
and not to sit any longer idle spectators Of the
greatest conflict the world has ever seen between
civilization and barbarism, playing the ignOmini-
GUS part denounced in the Scriptures % that Of
" dumb dogs
Trinity Church has led the way in reply to
the injunction of the Bishop TO speak ut this cri-
sis, and DR.. Vinton, in an able sermon on the true
character of Government, joins issue with the
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. Presently, the Epis-
copal clergy throughout the diocese will "open
I" their eyes to . wider survey Of our relations
" and duties" and endeavor to find out some
" permanent settlement of existing questions"
The Bishop is right. We wnnt permanent |
settlement. We are sick unto death of make |
shifts and hollow compromises.
In 1890, we had 657 ,527 slaves in the United
States. Notwithstanding the abolition Of Slavery |
ut the North, the Slaves at the South now num-
Der come four millions. The Federal Govern |
ment, administered for half century in the in |
terest Of the slaveholders, has acquired for them
Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. At their demand, |
we have robbed and murdered the Mexicans, aud