The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-06-03

rest all doubt, if any such really existed, in regard
to the right of the President to suspend the writ
of hqJeos corpus. We commend this able and
admirable argument TO the careful perusa of every
citizen.
Happily it is no part of the ordinary duty of the
pres to discuss religious polemics, to crticise
the shortcomings of the clergy. The animosities
which are always excited, and the prejndices
which must be encountered by those who venture
to comment freely everyday affairs, render the
profession Of journalism irksome enough a. best.
1t would be absolutely uncomfortable if it also con-
stanty exposed these who pursue it to theological
enmties and sectarian spite. 1t is with extreme
reluctance, therefore, that ever step beyond the
sphere which, by the uSages of vocation, is
prescribed as the proper field of our labors. But
there are occasions when the press is imperativey
called upon to invade the ecclesiastical domain,
and to hold up to public censure, and 10 execra-
ton if need he, the acts or teachings of those who
dwell within its bounds. Whenever clergymen so
far depart from the line of their duty as to pro-
pound to their congregations questions in whose
determination the decision of important political
problems is necessarily involved; or whenever
propositions are bIOiCIeu from TUE pulpit WHICH
shock the moral sense of mankind, or are clearly
violatve of the principles which alone the
priesthood is entitled to ask our respect we can
not in such cases waive the right to criticise and
to condemn. He who has taken part in a bitter
secular strife cannot hope in these days 20 find the
Church a sanctuary, and the sacerdott character
cannot now be pleaded to secure immunity for the
wrong-doer. We shall not, therefore, hesitate to
speak with perfect plainness, and with such harsh
ness as we think is just of the conduct of the So
called Christian ministers Of the North who have
been bounding on the people of that section to
what bids fair TO be the boodiest and most re-
morseless war of modern times. We scarcely
know where to look, in the history of these later
days, TO find parallel to the spectacle that the
people of New York have witnessed on every Sab
bath Of the past two months. They have on each
recurring Saturday rested from their work Of war
like preparation, and have gone forth each succeed
ing morning only TO be strengthened in their vim
dictive and sangunary resolves by prestly exhor,a
tons. Every appeal that coul confirm the waver-
ing soldier who was reluctant TO shed brothers
blood, or that could stimulate the fierce passions
OF the most relentless fanatic, has been addressed
to the woIshippcrs who have crowded scores of
Churches in the Northern States. All the means
that seemed most likely to give to this fraticidal
contest the character Of a holy war have been re-
sorted to, not merely by a few ignorant zealots,
but by an immense number of the best educated
and most influential pastors of various denomna-
TONS Flags have been raised on the spires Of the
chief Churches, the arms of the United States have
been hung up over the doorways and in the
iclaS p,,1 a.
their ministers, Sunday after Sunday, to Join in
singing our National songs in lieu OF the custo-
mary hymns of thanksgiving and praise That
BEECHER and CHEEvER, and some of the female ex-
Founders who follow these new gospel lights,
would have pandered thus the phrenzy of the
hour, might have been expected; but no one
would have dared TO predict that the very men
who should have been foremost to stem the popu-
lar fury, to pour oil upon the troubled waters, |
would have been the most active agents in kind. |
ling and keeping up the mad excitement which |
has disgraced the city and its people. If New
York had been in danger of an attack, or
if the country had been threatened with |
invasion by foreign force, there would |
have been, perhaps, some excuse for these belli-
cose preachers. If it ever he right to deck the
house Of prayer with banners that are emblematc
OF heIds of carnage, or to inerpolate our battle
songs into the service which has been dedicated |
to God, these acts might be justified in strictly |
defensive war. Providence has wisely given to |
the eeblest creature which His hand has fashioned
the instinct Of selfpreservation; and we could |
scarcely blame those who, in fighting for their
firesides, should exhort each other from the pull
pit to meet the foe, and should blend military
pageant with a religious ceremonial. But if there |
be warrant any where for such a course as the |
New York clergymen have pursued, we do not
know it. If, on the verge of civil war, it be-
comes Christian teachers to fan the flame of dis
cord, and to urge their people to arm and rush
forth against the homes of their erring brethren
then we have misread altogether the Christian dis
pensation. We that these are points
which we need not argue. Those who are re-
moved from the immediate scene of these sacrile- |
gous orgies, too clearly already the fearful ma
ture of the guilt into which these clergymen have
insanely plunged; and it cannot, we predict, be
long before the latter will themselves realize the
enormty of their offence, and shudder at the con-
sequences of their proceedings They will one |
day have good cause TO sorrow, as well as to be |
ashamed. They will have no reason to COMPLAIN |
if men not only hold them henceforth in slight |
respect, bat also fail somewhat in reverence for
the religion of which they are the ministers They
must not expect that the people will, in their
calmer moments, be able to reconcile the eyhorta-
tions to war to which they now listen, with
the doctrines which these clamorous preachers SO
earnestly profess. When they find, therefore,
that their religious teachings no longer touch the
hearts of their auditors, they must trace the cause
to their own dereliction ofduty, and not TO the ma
tural depravity Of man. They must ALSO in great
measure, answer for the errors of those whom they
should have instructed by example, not less than
by precept. Nor is this the only responsibility
they have incurred. For much Of the blood that
Will be shed in this contest, for many of the mil
lion wrongs that will be perpetrated, they will be
held to an account. They might have done much
to avert, or at least to soften the horrors of the
impending war; but they have only sriven TO pre
clpltate ana TO aggravate the conflict, and a fear
full proportion of its lamentable consequences will
be laid hereafter to their charge To each of these
misguided men the future will inevitably brine
many an hour Of bitter and unavang regret
Shame and grief will be their portion when they
come to look back calmly upon their conduct in
this day OF trial, and to remember how grossly
they misinerpreted the message they were commits
stoned TO deliver-the message which opened
with the holy sauaton, ''On earth peace. good
twill toward men, and closed with the admoni-
elton that call they that take the sword shall
''perish with the sword"