Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-06-04

Inc IoiOWlng 10 tnat pOFtIOn OF DISH i
OPP Lees Address to the recent Episco-
pal Convention, at Dubuque, which re-
ferred to the condition OF our national
affairs:
1t is not my purpose, on this occasion,
Ito enter very infinitely into considera
|tiou of the troubles and calamities that
have come upon us As one of the Nations
|of the earth. But the subject being on.
|of momentous interest, it ought not to
|bc passed over in entire silence. Influ.
|enced by what we believe to be an I'm
warranted and mistaken view Of duty, &,
interest, or policy, most of the Southern
States have declared themselves out OF
The Federal Union, and are now in arms
against the constituted authorities of the
land. Such course being regarded as
editions and revolutionary, and the
General Government feeling obliged to
maintain its supreme authority, a civil
var is the result, and we now see broth
Ter arrayed against brother in the unhap.
|py strife. May the God Of our fathers
have mercy upon US! Mey His judg-
ments lead US to repentance, and ma,
Ills heavy chastisements be sanctified to
ia anh orr ros.nrityi 81 fa- NO arc
|concerned, as Christian citizens, it i.
plainly our duty to uphold the Consti
ution and the laws under which w
i've, and to stand by the civil authorit,
in this time of trial. Let US also pra,
that our mistaken brethren may see the
error of their ways, and speedily return
% an allegiance which they had no sui.
|fcient cause t. renounce, and again sus-
tain q Government, . better than which
he world never saw, and which alone,
40 We believe, can secure to them that
happiness and prosperity which they
valnly seek in the unfortunate career
apon which they have entered.
In what manner and to what extent
he general interests of our church will
|be affected by this revolution, it is i'm.
possible to foresee. II separate Con-
ederacy should be established and fully
recognized, according to the lave ana
|usages of nations, then the Dioceses in
|cluded within the new nation would un-
|doubtedly have their own separate gen.
eral organisation, like our present Gen
|eral Convention; but until the seeding
States have distinct and recognized
national existence, any separate or COM
|bined action ON the part OF the Southern
Bishops or Dioceses, though based on
the passage, by State Conventions, OF
secession ordinances, would evidently be
uneanonical, and schismatical
|n their nature. There being no consti
tutional provision for secession or sep
aration Of any of the States from the
U MON, any attempt at such an act Is
regarded by "the powers that be" as
rebellion against the constituted Federal
Government whose supremacy il above
that of the individual States.
If the rebellion or revolution is
crowned with success, and what arc
termed the Confederate States'' be-
come one of the acknowledged powers
of the earth, then, - I suppose, Their
Ecclesiastical separation will follow, and
not till then. The reyered fathers OF
our American Episcopal Church did MOI,
proceed to organize the came, until the
American Revolution had become sue
|cessfnl, and our National independence
vas recognised BY the principal powers
of the world. Until then, our Church
was portion Of the Church Of Eng
land. Upon what acknowledged prin
|ciple some Of the Southern Bishops and
Diocese have acted, in the course
which they have seen it already TO
adopt it is difficult to decide. Their
|basty and premature action is certainly
something that could not have been an
|ticipated from any Bishop or diocese Of
our conservative, orderly, and beloved
Church. A solemn promise is made By
every Bishop, at his conservation, Of
fSconformitv and obedience TO the doc.
prime, discipline, and worship Of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the
~ uited States Of America" In addi-
kion to this, every Diocese has : Consti
tutional provision BY which it accedea
70 the general church, and promises
obedience and conformity to the same.
Gan an existing revolutionary attitude
lot State through it, Legislature or
Convention, at once absolve Biahop or
-Diocess from such obligationsf Can
p promise made with all the sanctions Of
an cath be thus nullified and destroyed
me pronise on the part of every Bishop
a4 eenaecration, begins With these
s: In the Name Of God, ,Amsl =
SO y = closes with $50 help - 0od,
a'ss@ stsaS chfis1 :. sT6ps solsmn'