Weekly national intelligencer., 1864-03-03

L
loyalty and the same seoarian demo linstion, either
military or civil, sal ject TO he approval Of th'
Commanding General" No one can doubt We
are sure, that the qualities of mind and heart pos
sessed by the distinguished commander OF this de-
partnent are such as singularly ht him for the
proper enjoyment of the responsible right OF ad-
vowson in the bestowment of ecclesiastical bench
ces. We read of time when kings shall be nursing
fathers and queens shall be nursing mothers In
Israel, but in this latter day it was reserved ior
our happy land to present to an admir'ng worlo
the illustrious example of Major General who
combines with his military character the sacred
functions of a missionary bshop-a man whose
zeal in DESTROYING the bodies of rebels is excelled
only by his pious care for their souls, and who ls
no less at home when walking about Zion to tell
her towers, mark we'll her bulwarks, and consider
her palaces" than when discoursing on scarp or
counterscarp, glacis or moat-to-day planning ex-
petitions which make all Rebellion tremble in Its
capital, and to morrow deciding by right reverend
authority who shall fill pulpit in Norfolk Over
the close-ftting coat of this Happy Warrior falls
in graceful folds the flowing gown of the Bishop,
and in trice the .wo-edged sword Of the one is
exchanged for the pastoral crook Of the other
There is single question as to which we
must confess some dubiety. We alude to the IN
junction laid by the Secretary of War on all our
commanders at the West and South, where they
are /" authorized and directed to furnish Bishop
Ames and his clerk with transportation and SUBJ
sistence when it can be done without prejudice to
the service"
We should like to know what are the ratons"
of Bishop, travelling by authority of the Secre-
tary of War, within the bounds of his wide military
diocese, ejecting disloyal incumbents from their
livngs, and confirming the faith and loyalty of the
saints by placing them under the watchful care OF
faithful pastors. We suppose that he is at least
entitled to the rations of major general, for the
Office of military bishop in the church, if properly
magnifed, is scarcely inferior in dignity we fancy,
| to that of major general of the army. And who
is to pay the pastors set these reluctant congre-
cations? As the laborer is worthy Of his hire, and
as this new policy proceeds on the assumption that
"it is matter of great Importance to the Gov
ernment in its efforts to restore tranquility to the
community and peace to the nation, that Christian
ministers should by example and precept support
and foster the loyal sentiment of the people, we sup
pose the Government expects to pay for their SER
vices 1t may be, however, that, like our mission
arie, 10 the heather, they to be supported by
benevolent and pious organizations at the North,
in which case the Government would make 80 far
clear gain by this feature of the Secretary Sec
cesiastic polity.
Without wishing to be too presumptuous, we
hope it is not disrespectful for US to say that, in
spite of the historical traditions which may be
urged in favor of the said polity, and in spite of
the laudable motives by which it is prompted, we
must acknowledge that on the whole we incline to
the opinions of the President in this matter when
he holds that
order undertake the churches When individual
in church or Of it, becomes dangerous to the public
interest be must be checked but the churches as SUCH
must take Of themselves 1t will not do for the
United States to appoint trustees superios, or other
agents for the churches /"
Bot we endorse this view with all the reserya-
tons which become the loyal mind in the contem-
plation of matters too high for it when left to the
| unaided inspirations of it, own unofficial wisdom.
We may soon be called to see that the Secretary
is right aud the President wrong Non nostruma
tantas, DC. We triumph" exclaimed Tailey-
rand when once a nearly equal division was had in
the French Legislative Assembly upon critical
question /" Who triumphs ?? he was asked.
Wait till the result is declared and will tell
you, was the prHdcnt reply of the polite minister
| We have no doubt that the incident would Gre
mind" our excellent President Of much better
story by which to poils the same moral for the in
struction of anxious patriots who honestly aspire
to give hi, Administration "an uuquestioning
support in all its measures and in all its depart.
ments," but who must labor under distress
ing embarrassment until they know which Of two
conflicting measures" ia bound to prevail where
the President talks in one way and Secretary acts
in another
ANOTHER DRAFT CONTEMPLATED