Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-03-10

putting things. that u sometimes very expressive.
His recently published letter Ia a citizen of ST
Louis on the subject of interfering with the min
listers OF religion aud churches IL sound ia princi
pie aud characteristic Of it, writer We copy IL
here. aud hope that every subordinate officer will
read il aud be governed by il:
EXECUTIVES MANSION.
WAHsISoroS. December %. 1863
have just looked over petition signed by
some three dozen citizens of st. Louis. and
their accompanying letter. one by yourself. one
10y n Mr. Nathan Rinney. aud by u Mr. john ID
Coalter. the whole relating 10 the Rev. Dr.. Me
Pheeters
The petition prays IN the name of Justice and
mercy. that will restore Dr. McPheeters To all
his ecclesiastical rights. This gives no intima.
ton as To what ecclesiastical rights have been
with ir,~n. Your letter states that Provost
Marshal Dick, about year ago, ordered tue ar
rest OF d. NcPheeters. pastor ct the Vine Street
Church. prohibiting him from officiating. and
placed the management of the alllrs OF the
church ont OF the control of It's chosen trustees:
aud near the close YOU state that certain course
would insure his release" Mr. R,nney'4 letter
says: ID, Samuel ; McPheelcf- j. enjoying
all the rights OF a civilian, but cannot preach the
Gospel" Dir CaalIer. in his letter. asks. "ls IL
not strange illustration ol the condition Of
things that the question OF who shall Ice allowed
10 preach in church ia 81 Louis shall he deei-
del by the President OF the lutte States2'
Now. All this sounds very strangely; anu. ~ithal,
a li,lle as ii You gentlemen, making the appca-
lion. do not understand the case alike, one ~
hrming that the Doctor IS ENJOYING oil the rights
Of civilian. and another pointing out 10 me
what will secure his release
On tire 2 OF January last wrote 10 Gen
Curtis IN relation to NJ Dicks ORDER upon Dr.
McPheeters and as, ! SUPPOSE. the Doctor j.
ENJOYING all the rights OF q civilian. | only quote
that part OF my letter which relates 10 the church.
IL j. rs follows: But must aid thst the Unit
ed States Government. must not, n 10y his order
undertake 30 run the churches When ndi-
yidus, n i church or out OF il. becomes danger
ous 10 the puOc interest. he must he checked ,
but the churches, SUCH mast tstNe care OF them
selves. Ii will not 10 for the United States 10
appoint trustees. superors, or other agents for
the churches"
This Letter going 70 Gen CARTS then ia COM
maud | supposed OF course. il was obeyed. ga
pecialiv ~ heard 40 further complaint from DR.
McPhee.ers or bis rienfS for nearly an entire
year. have never nterfered. nor thought of
interfering as to wno shall or shall not preach in
any church: nor have Knowingly or believngy
tolerated any one else 10 so Interfere by any
thority II any one is 30 interfering, bv color of
my authority, would ike to have it specifically
made known 70 me II. after all. What Is now
sough, il to have me ppt DR.. McPheeteFs back
over the heads of majority OF his own oongre
CATION. thas too will be declined will not have
control of aDy church any side
Yours respectfully. A LINCOLN
This il sound doctrine. If minister is guilty
OF any violation of the laws, by word or deed +,
LEI him be dealt with n any other citizen. The
Government has nothing whatever to DO with his
relations to his Church Ii he is imprisoned,
banished or put TO death, he will not be able to
oficiste, and another man may be empoy ed. but
the President very properly declines to haYe any
thing do with church matters President Lin
cole ought to be supported in this resolution and
action. hy the entire religious community Aud
directly opposed TO il such order the fol
lowing from the War office at Washington
War DEPARTMENT. ADJ GENERALS OFFlcEI
WASHINGTON, Nov 30. 1868.
To the Generals commanding the Departments
of the Missouri. the Tennessee. and the Gulf
and all Generals and officers commanding ar
mics. detachmentS and corps. and posts, and
all officers in the service Of the United States
in the above mentioned Departments.
You are hereby directed to place Al the dispo
sal of Rev. Bishop Ames all houses of worship
belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church
South. in which loyal minister. who has been
appointed by a loyal Bishop of said Church, does
not'n0w Ofticiate.
Ii is "a mitter Of great i'm portance to the Gov
eminent. in its efforts to restore tranquility to
the community and peace to the nation. that
Christian ministers should. BY example and pre-
cept. support and foster the loyal sentiment of
the people
Bishop Ames enjoys the entire confidence of
this Department. and no doubt Is entertained that
all ministers Who NAV be appointed by him will
be entirely loyal. You expected to give
him all the aid. countenance aud support prac-
ticable in the execution Of his important mis-
sion
You are also authorized ard directed 70 fur
nish Bishop Ames aud his clerk with transporta-
ton and subsistence when il can he done without
prejudice to the service, and will afford them
courtesy. assistance. aud protection.
BY order of the Secretary Of War:
L ID TOWNSEND
Assistant Adjutant General
And still more in conflict with the Presidents
views and wishes is the following more recent
order by General Butler:
NORFOLK, February IL, ls64
General Orders. No g. All places OF public
worship in Norfolk and Portsmouth are hereby
placed under the control of the provost marshals
of Norfolk and Portsmouth, respectively. who
shall see the pulpits properly filled by dsplscng
when necessary the present lnenmbentS, and sub
shutting men of known loyalty and the same
sectarian denomination either military or civil
subject to the approval Of the commanding Cen
eral. They shall see that the churches are open
tn al of nd -.