Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-12-29
Exempting Preachers from
Drum.

4ELaAIEe
EDITOR OF THE STATESMAN, h
Mr.. DIXON, one Of the Senators from Con-
necticut, offered the following amendment
to the Conscription Bill, under considera-
tion in the Senate of the United States:
"An persons recognized as clergymen or
Religious Ministers by the ecclesiastical au-
thority of the denomination or communion
of which they are members" shall be ex-
empt from the draft.
The question being taken by yeas and
nays, resulted--yeas Q, nays 33, as follows:
YRAs-Messrs. Anthony, Dixon, poolittle. Hicks
Morrill,. Salisbury, Sumner Van Winkle and VII
NArs-Messrs Buckaiew, Chandler, Clark, Colla-
mer, Conness. Cowan, Davis. Fessenden, Foot. Fos-
tr Grimes Harding hnsa Msi r. Henderson, sS:
Ramsey, Shermsn, Sprasuc. Ton Eyck, Trambuil,
Wade. Wilkinson, Wilson and Wright-so.
So the amendment was rejected.
Among the reasons stated by Mr.. DIXON
in favor OF. his amendment read the fol-
lowing: 81,
They are, with rare exceptions. loyal; and loyal
clergy at home is needed to counteract the baneful
influence Of disloyal press. Many other reasons
might bo enumerated. but not now desiring TO occu-
py the time Of the Senate lcontent myself with one
final reason, which TO my mind is superior TO all
Others II is this: the ministers Of the Christian
ligion cannot in my Judgment consistently the
duties q ne sSsy s BY
whose authority they are consecrated TO minister in
holy things has said that His kingdom is not Of this
world. The war nov. waged by this Government
against the traitors who in armed force are leagued
against its very existence is in my opinion the hol-
est war in which any portion Of mankind have eyer
been engaged. Yet do not wish TO see its battles
fought by the ministers Of religion. l shrink from
the sight or men devoted 10 its high and holy duties
acting in our armies the executioners Of traitors
WELD is the sword Of vengencc not for them 'the
ments rolled in blood"
1t is not my purpose to question the
"loyalty" of the preachers, or any other
person. 1t has been too common for per-
sons to question the "loyalty" of their fell
low citizens, and none are more prone to
this than this very class of men here pro-
posed to be exempted from the draft. 1t is
almost universal with them, to denounce
from the pulpit, those who may differ from
them, in their particular views; and dc
not propose to follow them in their practice
but says Mr.. Dixon: "The Ministers Of the
Cristian Religion cannot in my judgment
consistently with the duties Of their sacred
calling, engage in the bloody work Of
war;" Why not as well engage in the
"bloody work" as advise others to do
so? Mr.. Dixon says: The war sis In
my opinion the HoLIEsr war in which any
portion of mankind have ever been engag-
ed" If this be so, why should not these
holy men put on tine armor of war, and lead
the hosts on to the accomplishment of the
holy purpose. ~
Yet as holy as is this war, Mr.. Dixon is
shocked at the idea Of the battles being
fought by the Ministers of Religion" he
shrinks from the sight Of men devoted to its
high and holy calling acting in our armies
at the executioners oftraitors. 1t SIS not for
them to WELD the sword of vengance," not
for them "the battle of the warrior, with
confused noise, and garments rolled in
blood" None of these things are for them.
" They have higher and holier duty"
and what is it that Mr.. Dixon proposes
they shall do, as their "higher and holier
calling" Preach ''Christ and Him cruci-
fed" and "Peace and good viii to men 9'
No, not that, but they are needed at home
to "counteract the influence of adisloyal
pressw tgl
If this war was denounced by Mr.. Dixon
as wicked and unholy war, then there
would be some consistency in him trying to
exempt the preachers; as he did during the
war with Mexico, which he and his party
denounced as an unholy war; but in this
"holy war" it is eminently proper that the
holy men should go forward and take the
chances of having their garments rolled in
blood" In the language of Senator LANE,
of Indiana: II am willing and anxious
that every minister shall stand his chance
to be conscripted equally with his fock;"
and may add, all other flocks. The ''dis-
loyal press" can well be taken care of with
out the aid Of the preachers.
If 1t be true, as Mr.. Dixon says, "that the
Ministers Of the Christian Religion can not
consistently with the duties of their sacred
calling, engage in the bloody work of war;"
how can any Christian consistently so en-
gage? Are not the same principles of chris
tianity enjoined upon all? Must the Minis
ter say to his flock: ~ can not consistently
engage in the bloody work of war, but yot.
my Christian flock, can do so; there is a
special proviso in Gods ordinance, making
the distinction" Let there be no exemp-
tions on account of professions. Let the
doctor, preacher, lawyer, farmer, mechanic,
and all, occupy the same relation. If there
be any preference given, let it be to those
who are poor and who have families de-
pendent on them for support. Preachers
can fight and march as well as other men
they can also pray for the army as they
move.
The large vote of the Senate, SO to 8,
against the exemption for Ministers, shows
a decidedly healthy sentiment on this ques-
ton, at least. ia
MIID LARK. n Rappahannock corresnond