The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1863-08-14
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ter interfere with the politics of his
State or nation2 And If so, to what
extent may that interference he inno-
Gently carried? These are questions
momcntously important, frequently
and candidly propounded. by many
honest and Christian enquirers; and
none the less frequently denounced
and peremptorily denied by hot-head
ed, dogmatical and interested partiz-
ans; yea, from the honorable position
of United States Senator down thro'
thousands of bitter party newspapers,
tens of thousands Of country school
house stump-speakcrs, and an almost
innumerable host of red-eyed bar
room loafers. What are derisivelyI
denominated "political preachers" /"
have been. and are yet denounced, i'll
themost unmeasured terms, with those
select and classical epithets, charac-
iteristic alone of our most choice lager
bier literature. To this, however,
I would not deign a response--but
for years past, trust have patient
Ilv, calmly, deliberately and prayerful-
" pondered and weighed the super
latively great objections raised by
those opponents. Some have been
quite denunciatory, while they have
thrown precious little light upon the
subject, except to discover the be.
wildcrcd and heelouded condition OF
their own intellects.
Now, as I am classified with that
number Of mankind, who do not hold
themselves absolvcd by their proIes-
sion, from any of the obligations aud
Responsibilities which belong to the
members Of our great political system;
who do not hold that they have fulfill
cd their duty to theii God, till they
have discharged their duty to their
country, respectfully solicit an i'm
.lpartial hearing of a few honestly con
ceived and candid reflections in JUS
LITIGATION thereof:
lat. What is politics?
Webster replies, "The science of
Governmental that part of ethics which
consists in the regulation and govern
ment of a nation or n State, for the
preservation of its safety, peace aud
prosperity"
This science has been my study for
wears, since my earliest school-boy
/ tIdays--it has been one of the themes
) of my earnest reflection.
Il I'd. hold that a Cristian minis
ter may lawfully do, whatever n
christian man may rightly OF religious
iiv do. Ii Christian, consistently
with the sanctity of religion, may
vote at State or National election
attend a political meeting, county
district, or national convention; sit il
a iurv-box, act as judge upon thu
bench. be member of the Legisla
ture or National Congress, or fill thu
Presidential chair, there is nothing II
: the calling Of q minister, as laid dcwi
= by divine law, to prohibit him from
q doing the same. and fulfilling all hi
ministerial duties likewise. In th'
kingdom Of Messiah there is but ont
code for all his subjects. 1t is grea
+ and fatal error, into which many have
fallen. to conclude that God ever in
stituted castles in the economy Of th'
reipn of grace. Religious aristocra
cies and professional grades or mo
/, nonolies, laying claim to sanctities ii
consequence thereof. denied to othc
members Of the Christian confedera
,, oy. ave unknown to the church OF th
-Iliving God. He is in no sense re
q spccter Of persons
nj Sd. The conceded right of a min
A lister to vote at tie polls of nm election
. implies his right politically, moral.
J, and religiously, to ali the rights AM
2 immunities common to voters. IN
f chief end in voting is, to carry on
a ones point in dispute, and embod.
o ones convictions of right into th'
= form and shape Of law. But what il
= the avail of exercising the right o
c suffrage, if every other elector vote
= against you? And upon whot grounC
+, have you q right to expect other mel
j. to cast their ballots rs you do, unles
e by argument and proof you convinc
il them that your cause is the bette
: one, and should be adopted?
II, then, growing out ol my righV u
r vote originates my right to iniluenc
# by proper argument, other men t
j. vote rs l do, may also select tn
l. time place and circumstances unde
N which to exercise that influence, PFC
r vided / infringe on no ones rights b
le so doing.
If my neighbor visits my library o
I meet him in his office, or sit by hi
, side on the fence, log, stump or roc
~ in his field, may persuade him b
:; the power OF truth, if have it on IN
" - side. That which l may do towar
io ip one neighhor ! may do toward a sec
= ond, group of six, q dozen, score
=, a hundred. Upon the same principl
|ns | I may write out my arguments; ell
u u body them in the form of book c
~ pamphlet; print them in the column
:" of newspaper, to be read ut men
leasure, or read them in the form OF
lecture, to an assembled audienC
willing to hear; and if ! may rcac
- upon the same principle may speal
c, provided both hearers and speak,
ne so elect.
~ Hence the undoubtea right Of
Christian minister, as well as any ot
er Christian, to express his conyic
ions on all questions pertaining
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