The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-01-21
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE CONFED
ERATE STATES.

!
This memorial in regard to Army Chaplains,
is most respectfully presented to your honorable
body by the subscribers, a Committee representing
the North Carolina Conference of the Methodist
! Episcopal Church South. Be assured that, IN do
! ing So the body we represent, as we'll as your
memoralists, are actuatedT by sincere desire to
see this young Rerublic-the Southern Con-
| federacy-placed in such high moral position as
! to command the respect and admiration OF all
civilized nations. Allow US, then, frankly and
most respectfully to state that the late action of
your honorable body, during a former session, by
which the salary of Chaplains in the Army was
reduced to fifty dollars per month, with one IA
ton, and the Chaplans themselves deprived of all
military rank, has been to source OF profound
regret and establishment. While we satisfied
that, in your action, you were prompted by patri-
otic considerations yet we are very certain that,
so far from accomplishing the end proposed it
will be attended with the most mischievious con-
sequences, and result in great injury to our com
mon country We earnestly request you there
fore, to reconsider and repeal the above act, for
the following reasons:
First-It places the Confederate States of A
merica, in religious point Of view, in false and
most unfortunate position before the civilized
world 1t is very well known that there is
ton upon earth in which christianity, in its pres
ent FORMS is more highly appreciated by the peo-
ple-in which larger proportion of the popula-
ton worthy COMMITMENTS OF the various chris
tian denominations. Never in the history Of the
world, was there an army in which could be found
such large proportion Of pious, devout christians
as at present compose the Confederate army. And
yet the Chaplans in this army receive less pay,
forced to occupy lower rank, and consequent
| are treated with less respect than in any other
christian nation upon earth. If we are not mis-
taken, in England the Chaplain takes rank imme-
dately after his commanding officer. In France
Spain and Russia, it is we believe, about the same
Even in that depraved, semi-infde despotism
with which we are now at war, the Chaplain en-
joys the rank, pay, quarters and ratlons Of cap
tain of the post-that is, he receives $3.50 per
month"; his travelling expenses and other impor-
tant items included. How, then, can the late
action Of your body be regarded by England,
France and other chistlan nations, in any other
light, than as degradation Of the Christian Min
istry by Government; as discardng religion
from army; and as ignoring the religious sent-
ment of contederacy We know that this
was not your design; but still, we fear this
struction will be placed upon 1t by the nations Of
Europe
Sccondly-We request you to repeal that act,
because its effect inj urous to the soldiers Of the
army. In some instances, pious men in the army
finding themselves destitute of religious nstruc-
ton, have felt obliged to support chaplain by
their own voluntary contributions. Thus, after
they have given up their profitable business at
home, and consented to expose their lives in de-
fence Of their country, they must either 90 with
out the bread Of life, else give part Of the pit
lance received from the Government, to support
pastor. That act, then, which cut down the
salary of the Chaplain, has virtually diminished
the Gay Of tie pious men in the ranks. Here,
then, is the position in which thousands of pray
ing men in the army, are placed:-lst They
must be deprived Of the presence, instruction and
spiritual guardianship Of minister of Christ, be-
cause the Government has refused that minister
an adequate support; or End. They must receive
the Gospel at the hands of young and inexper-
enced man; Or Bird. They must, out Of their own
private funds, support clergyman whose expert
ence and talents qualify him to fill the place Of
pastor with dignity and usefulness.
TErdly-Ne urge you to repeal that act, be-
it infiics great I'M Justice upon those minis
tiers who had accepted chapaincies prior to its pas
sage Many clcr@ymcn, of various denominations,
had resigned their charges, in which they
ceiving salaries sufficient to support their families,
and prompted by patriotic motives, had accepted
positions in the army as Chaplains. In this
capacity, had the law remained unchanged, they
would not have received more, and in some cases
not as much, as they would have received from
their former charges. Now, We appeal to you, if
it ri ht if it was in 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 havo resigned, because
they felt that the Government had acted in bad
faith with them. But their resignation did not
place them back in their former charges; and
some of them are thus left without provision to
support their families. But we are told, ''the
Government must economize." Very we'll; but
why should the salary of Chaplains be cut down
for the sake of economy, and yet the salaries of
Surgeons and all other officers remain untouched
For these considerations, we respectfully request
you to repeal the above act; and would also
urge you to adopt such measures will secure
the services Of an experienced Chaplain for every
regiment in the army. With earnest devotion
to the cause Of our common country, remain,
Honorable Gentlemen, our ob't servants
5 5 3 : + :: 5 S S::::; Committee: