Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-01-23

r.sneetrlv presented to your honorable body by the
subscribers Committee representing the North caro-
lima Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Churcn
South Be assured that, in doing So the body we re-
nresent ga well as your memoriasts, actuated by
sincere desire this young Republc-the Southern
Contederscv-placed In such high moral position as
to command the respect and admiration OF all ciVZeo
nations Allow u.s. then frankly and most respectfully
to state that the late action OF your honorable poo
during former session. by which the salary OF Chap
lans in the Army reduced to fifty dollars per month,
with one ration and the Chapains themselves deprived
of all military rank has betn to US source OF profound
regret and establishment While we are SATISFIED that
in your action you prompted by patriotic consld-
eraons vet we are very certain that, far from &C.
comprising the end proposed it will be attended with
the most mschievons consequences and result IN great
| injury to common country we earnestly request
you therefore, reconsider and repeal the above act
/ for the following reasons:
i First-It places the Confederate States OF America,
in religious point of view, false and most untor-
tunGte position before The civilized acord 1t Is very
well known that there nation upon earth ID when
Christianity in its present forms, more hgny appre
ciaed By the peope--in which larger proportion OF
the population are worthy communicates OF the various
Christian denominations Never in the history OF the
world there army In which could be found sucn
large proportion OF pious devout Christians, as al
present compose the Confederate army. And yet, the
Chapains in this army receive less pay, are forced to
occupy lower rank and consequently are treated with
less respect than in any other Christian nation upon
earth. If not mistaken, in England the Chap
lain takes rank Immediately after bis commanding OH
GER In France, Spain and Russia, it is, believe,
about the same Even in that depraved, semi-infdei
despotsm with whichNHe now at war, the Chaplain
enjoys the raLk, pay quarters and ratons OF captain
of the post-that is be receives $3.50 per month bis
travelling expenses and other important items included
How then can the late action OF your body be regard
ed by England France and other Christian nations in
any other light than degradation OF the Christian
Ministry by our Government; as discardipg religion
from army and as ignoring the religious sentiment
of our Coniederacy We know that this was not your
design; but STILL fear that this construction will be
placed upon it by the nations of Europe.
Second WE request you to repeal that act because
ats effect is injurious to the soldiers of the army In
some instances, pious men n the army finding them
selves destitute of igious instruction have felt obliged
to support Chaplain by their voluntary cohtrtbu
tons Thus, after they have given up their profitable
business home and consented to expose their lives in
defence of their country, they must either go Without
the bread OF life else give part OF the pttance receV
ed from the Government, to support pastor. That
act, then which cat down the salary of the Chaplain,
has virtually diminished the pay of the pious the
ranks Here, then, is the position in which thousands
of praying men, now in the army are placed list.
They be deprived of the presence, instruction and
spiritual guardianship of minister of Christ because
the Government has refused that minister an adequate
support or, 2nd. They must receive the Gospel at
the hands OF young and inexperienced man or, 3rd
They must, out Of their o0n p'iUdte funds, support
clergyman whose experience and talents qualify him to
fill the place of pastor with dignity and usefulness.
1hiroly-We urge you to repeal that act because ii
ans great injustice upon those ministers Tho had ac
ceped chapo1ncaeS p''or TO It's passage Many clergy
men, OF various denominations, had resigned their
charges, in which they receiving salaries sufficient
to support their families and, prompted by patriotic
motives, had accepted positions in the army as Chap
ains. In this capacity, had the law remained unchang
3D. they would not have received more; and in some
cases not much, as they would have received from
their former charges Now appeal to you If it was
right if it good faith to cut down their salary
under these circumstances? 1t may be said Let them
resign their position in the army" We reply, many
have resigned because they fet that the Government had
acted bad faith With them. But their resignation did
not place them back in their former charges and some
of them thus left without provision to support their
families. But told the Government must econ
omize." Very well; but why should the salary of
Chapans be cut down for the sake Of economy, and yet
the salaries Of Surgeons ard all other officers remain
| touched
For these considerations respectfully request you
to repeal the above act aud would also urge you to
adopt such measures will secure the services of an
experienced Chaplain for every regiment in the army.
With sentiments of profound regret and with earnest
devotion to the of common country, re-
main, Honorable Gentlemen,
Your ob't servants
3 81: + S S::;:; Committee.
| LoUIsBURG n. c., Dec. 8, 1861.
1.-The above having been unavoidably delayed, appears
now for the first time
| Loss OF SOUTHERN Trade BY THE NORTHWEST
The ST. Louis Republican, abiding to the less of South
trade by the Western States the Lincoln govern
ment says:
See what aw1lly desoating results have followed
the cessation OF that commerce The Western States
of Europe are trembling under it. Our own North
momentarily benefited by demand for army supplies,
does not feel it, as it will by and by But survey the
West--wth no choice of an outlet to Europe save
through New York-ts products at half their former
price, and all its purchases at double that price. In