Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-06-07
The Church and the war.

souTHEHH AND NoRTHRRn EPisoopALIANs.
The Mobile Tribune publishes the following ex-
tracts from letter written TO Bishop Potter. Of
Pennsylvania, by an Albanian. The letter was
called forth by the circular to the clergy Of the
diocese, Issued by Biehop Potter some weeks
ago;
desire. most sincerely, to know how, or on
what grounds, churchman-especally Bishop
Of the Church-and, beyond alt, a Bishop bear
lug the reputation for moderation and discretion
which belongs to you-can denounce, rs in En-
ror, and lin arms against tho constituted au-
thorlties OF the land, those who are armed, as
we are, in obedience to the only de dcto, and, as
We firmly believe, the only de jure authorities Of.
our land, for the purpose Of defending ourselves
against an atrocious invasion. .a.sass n - n ss
" Two clergymen. from my own immediate
vicinity, have sent out their sons as priyates in
lne ranks OF the volunteer companies that have
already gone forth towards the Virginia borders
perhaps to meet in battle some Of those who may
be encouraged to level their muskets and lift
their swords against them by the very language
that you have put forth. Right reverend and
dear SIR, there is some terrible mistake here, on
one side or the other It is monatrous horrible,
hat such things should be. i beg you to explain
how II is posaible'tha you could, under the cir
cums'ances, give so much sanction and en-
couiagement to those who are engaged in this
unholy, unprovoked, BantOn attempt to destroy
us and all that is dear to US.
" II you can say anything that will teHd to a
restoration OF that charity and confidence 80
deeply wounded, if not entirely broken, by the
language Of the prayers attributed TO yourself
aud other prominent ministers of the Church,
beg that you will do IT,"
These, says the Tribune, were the material
portions Of the letter. A postscript was appen
ded by the two clergymen mentioned above, re-
specially uniting in the request for au answer
to the question propoundel, and an explanation
of the Bishops extraordinary prayer.
To this communication Bishop Potter replies
in tho following letter:
PHILADELPHIA, Monday, May 10, 1861.
My DEAR Sin; Yon i" beg me to explain how
II is possible that could, under the oircum.
stances, give so much sanction and encourage
ment to those engaged In this unholy, inpropoked
ieanton attempt 10 destroy us, and all Thai is dear
10 u.s."
Your misconoeptiOn Is so radical that almost
despair Of correcting It, What you regard as an
attempt TO destroy you aud all that is dear to
you" is considered by us as simply an attempt to
defend ourselves and tho capital OF our country
from threatened invasion, our Constitution from
destruction, and even our Southern brethren from
that which is the surest protection of themselves
and their peculiar institutions. Fromthe secos-
sion of South Carolina to the storming of Fort
Sumpter, the General Government remained all
but passive II then became Indispensable that
We shoulu hhoW whether u was Government,
whether il could retain its hold of Washington,
and whether the whole system that Washington
aud his compeers inaugurated in 1889 was not o
deusion and impOsture. This, my dear sir, il
the Whole story. Your theory not only disre-
CARDS your own obligations under The Constitu
ton, but it leaves 10 us no Government except
in name-Opening the door for perpetual discord,
aud for secession without end.
do not believe that at the North one man in
fifty desires an invasion of your soil or the de-
atruetion Of your soci4l system. They simply
desire that you should not break up the Union by
your method Of leaving it, but refer all subjects
of complaint to convention of all the States,
which will DO competent either to redress ali
grievances or TO provide way in which you can
retire frem the Union without dissolving the
whole fabric Of our General Cover ment.
Under the present exasperated state of the
sections il is impossible 10 say to what length this
conflict may go. But assure you that in the
few lines above you have the whole anirnus Of the
loyal States and Of the Union men everywhere
Only the smallest number OF fanatics think or
talk of slavery. The whole question is one of
self defence, and Of Government or no Gopera-
meRL Yours siucerely 1
ALoNzo Porter.