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

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- SD y - II ~ Episcopal oaiee
~ hayb sve rreood ~ h he sstims-
VI II tbs 6ssA ID Eesetioss = -
90 Try. Who's sasos end ON
&c sPs (ios I - !. . s.li:ve them
from tie ehsfSs q ksvi6g deliberately
and vilfullv yiolatsd their boupdes dutyI
q their God. their church asd then
couptry. The gegpsA End rintepsp -;
which fo1 scut time past hAs
pervsded the Southern mind, and their
|own mistaken views Of dpGy, ore daubt-I
lees the true Games Of d a16sppy pol-
hoy which they have adopted. AZ one|
|of dc 1snlos Biihops, I spsak II an
strain With diGldencs and rsluctasee Il
|but my ovn convictions 81 dsty in this|
|(s6tful crisis compel me- TIM TO give ut
'tersaos 70 my views and leelisgs; and i
doubt not that Ishal have your entire
|snd hearty concurrence and sympathy I
|Our church, both in her pulpits and herr
Legislative bodies, has exercised great
caution in regard to the exciting ques-
tion which for yeavs has agitated the M
ton, and which Lies ct the foundation of
our present difficulties. This caution
hss By no means arisen from . general
aud entire concurreoce in the Southern
view Of slavery; but chiefly from the
fact that our Southern brethren have ev-
er manifested an extreme sensitiveness
on the subject, and from the considers
lion that for many years the question iD
,hie country has bces intimately CON-
lected with party spirit and political
movements. It has been impossible to
lreat it % = mere moral OF religious
question and 20 We have seldom
brought It into our sermons, and We
have carefully avoided it in our conven-
lions.
In this course our Bishops, Clergy
and Laity have concurred with degree
of unanimity that has led some OF our
most prominent statesmen to look upon
our Church a. one Of the chief bonds
OF union between the various sections Of
the country. Differences of opinion
have undoubtedly always existed
amongst us upon the subject in ques-
ton bat it has been 20 surrounded by
difficulties, that, rs Church, We have
not attempted to decide authoritatively
concerning it. Aud even under the ex
isting circumstances, discussion Of III; 4
subject, in ito various phases and bear
,ngs, is not probably called for, in our
pulpits and conventions, by any practi
cal benefit that would be likely to re-
,ult from such . course. Our duty a.
Christian citizens, in the present ext.
seucy, seems to me to be wholly indie
pendent Of this particular and very diff
tioult question although it can hardly
be doubted that the contest now going
on will do much towards modifying and
deciding the general sentiment Of Il I
people in regard to the exciting cause
Of so unhappy controversy. My owr
associations and habits of life have give1
ne no capacity for viewing this question
in the light in which it is viewed BY
our Southern brethren generally. All
my sympatbies and convictions are Of 4
Northern tone and character. But a,
he same time have concurred in the
General opinion of our Church that this
subject should not be allowed to divit.
as - it has divided some OF the religion,
bodies in our land. As an individual,
have entertained views and opinions fo
his subject quite diverse from those o.
somo Of my most valued brethren in tht
Episc opate and the Clergy and Laity
but have taken into consideration thei
education and habits and associations,
.hd have never questioned the sincerity
IF their convictions or the integrity Of
their motives. But, repeat, in thu
crisis v hich has come upon NJ, individ
ual views and opinions upon this sub
ject have comparatively nothing to d.
with the question % to what our dutJ
is 40 Christian citizens. solemnly be
lieve that We are religiously bound to dc
Ill in our power to retain and Transmit
hose rich blessings which have come t.
as in connection with our nationa
Union. II, unhappily, it should be found
impossible to preserve and maintain
that confederate existance which fol
four score years has made US "the glory
Of all lands" and our once cherished
q MON 10 to be superseded by estate,
discordant, discovered, belligerent''-we
will mournfully acquiesce in the affective
decree Of the Almighty Ruler Of nations
and believe that our sins as q people
have most justly provoked his wrath
and indignation against rs. Az Christ
ians, I've must most deeply regret
that this Impending and momentous
question is not likely to be settled with
out the fearful strife and carnage of the
battle field. The Gospel teaching Of
eighteen long centuries has not sufficed
to persuade the nations to " learn Wal
90 more" and We now present the
hearts ickening and revolving spectacle
of nominalIy Christian people, mar
shalled in battle-array ,and ready to spill
each Others blood! May the angels Of
heaven, who sang Of peace on earth
and good will toward men," avert their
eyes from the dreadful scene! Again
say, may the God Of our fathers have
mercy upon Us, and may we yet be q
united and happy people, showing forth