The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-05-01


r general rule, too little needed in poll
tics. One reason is, it is not heard, ard
it is not heard because not with distinct,
ness uttered. TLey shrink from the strife
and pollution Of the canvass-they leave
the thirgs which are said to belong to
Cesar too much to the merceuarv and
trained legions OF Cesar. In Zines like
these upon which we have fallen, the
opinion of the Church upon political aues
tions, when unanimous, and freely declar.
ed, is far more potent than the tricks OF
the demagogue, or the e!oquence Of the
renowned orator, or the oracular insiruc.
tions Of the retired sage. The reason is,
:hat our church being sound, has the con
fidence OF the rreIigious world. LIE, the
Church know this, and realize her
strength. She should not now abandon
her own grand creation. She should no,
leave the creature Of her prayers and Ia,
bors TO the contingencies Of the hines, or
the tender morcies Of less conscientious
patrons.
She should consummate what she has
begun. For. whist our Government is
inaugura,ed, let it be remembered ttat
its peimanency is not secured. We have
passed the crisis Of initiation, aud upon
the assumption that We have no war. but
few peri!s remain to be encountered
One does yet remain, and that is the per.
u of re action. l know that the Govern.
ment of the Confederate States com
lnands the respect and affection of the
people, and yet il is possible that change
or racil'aiion of opinion may eudanger
It's permancncy. 1t is against a possibil
ity, rather than a probability, that |
would guard. Many of US in the seeded
States left The Union with reluctance
some With horror and shuddefiug. We
! hnger about it with memories, ali, how
tond II Was our glory onCe-it is no,
now our shame This feeling is not dead
1T sieepe,h. The confirmation Of all
new governments involves necessarily
some Josthng OF business relations-some
change oi LaOr's-some shock to estab
iish op' ~'"ns-somc sacrifice in some form
or shape. We are not Tree from that
odlpus cement ot all free Siates-dema
| gogism 1t ny lenven ;he lump OF pop.
uia' suii'ase. and stimulate the slumber
ing dlsatfec,ion Ct tho voters. UpoL our
borders lie States s,iil .n.hrai9ed by the
seduc,ions Of the Federal Uuiou-mos,
Influential. too, because Of 4 community
oi historic sympa'hles aud present inter
ests. lheir example may arouse lostili
~ 10 The he" Government, especially If
from any cause it Is compelled to make
dr"fis upon The pockets or the forbesr
"nce OF the peor:e.
These meIe hints may serve 70 show
that ie action IL possible. 1t is the voca.
ton OF the Charch 10 forestsll the begin
nings Of uisatfsctiun, by concentrating the
opinion oi the religious part of the peo
pie, IN favor Of tie unconditional leynaa.
nent Independence Of our section. Now
is l; asked how this is TO lie done
s"eges, that every Christian should
put hs support oi the Southern Govern,
ment, on the footing Of obedience TO God.
Let him give TO his politics the force of
\ religious principle. When this is done,
he VIII sct rers's'ently consistently and
with careful selection of means best
adapted to tie eud. Under the inspira,
ton Of n moIive so elevated, we W nj ga.
p"Jndices and commitias. With manly
ir"ukness upon all suitable occasions, he
should a,ow hi. convictions. This is no
time for dignified reserve. Neutrality
now is moral treason. 1t is at this mo,
ment as much n religious duty to sustain
the Government AS il is to observe the
Sabbath. The Ark OF the Covenant en-.
camps with the hosts Of the Confederate
States. Woe be to him who will not de
tend his OWE freside. and stand by his
own altar Calmly, yet visibiy aud fun
ly, let us take position There are but
two positions possible--for or against our
coumuy-aLd rever wss il lruer than
now, that he WHO il not for us is against
Us. II We have war, which God forbid,
II will be sacred war, for if tue South
is subdned by the Federal Government.
then is Christianity sanvuished by infdel,
iiy
The religious press should "cry aloud
and spare not" as you have done, Mr..
Editor. Shall tho organs OF The Church
be silent when political lusts, combined
with nfidcli,y, are heaving u2 The foun
dauons Of social order, and tearing down
the pillars e revealed truth The pul.
pi. !, ordinarily above, as il ought 10 be,
the REGION Of political discussions, but
when governments are making and break.
ing. and the truth Of God imperllsd, the
sacred ministry should. with guarded pru,
dence. IN public aJa in private, affirm
our right aud denounce our wrong
The judicaiories Of the Church should,
in my judgment. officially endorse the
Government, and all good men should
pray for IT'S Pesmsnence and peace.
Macon, Ca, April 10. N.