The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-01-06

sideration in the Senate of the United
States: "All persons recognized as cler-
gymen or Religious Ministers by the ec-
clesiastical authority of the denomina-
ton or communion of which they are
members" shall be exempt from the
draft
The question boing taken by yeas and
nays, resulted-yeas 9. nays 33.
So the amendment was rejected.
Among the reasons stated by Mr.. Dix
on in favor of his amendment, | read the
following
They are with rare exceptions. loyal:
and loyal clergy ut home is needed 10
counteract the Daneul lnhuen,e O. dis
loyal press. Many other reasons might
be enumerated, but not now desiring to
occupy the time of the Senate, Content
myself with one final reason, which to my
| lnlud Is superior to all others. 1t is this:
the ministers OF the Christian religion
cannot, IN my Judgment, consistently with
| the duties OF their sacred calling, engage
III the bloody work Of war The Master
whom they serve. and by whose authority
they are cOnsecrated TO minister in holy
things, has said that His kindom is not uf
/ this world. The war now waged BY this
Government against tho traitors who in
armed force are leagued against it's very
existence, Is In my opinion, the hollest
War in which amy portion of mankind
have ever been engaged. Nevertheless,
!, | do not wish To see its battles fought by
the ministers of religion. [ shrink from
the sight ot men devoted to ats high and
holy duties acting in our armies AS the
executioners OF traitors. They have Il
higher, a holier, duty. Not tur them to
WELD is the sword OF venr reance; not Tor
them them the battle OF the warrior, with
confused noise, and garments rolled in
blood" .a M
i 1t is not my purpose to question the
"loyalty,' o: the preachers, OF any other
persons to question the loyalty ui their
fellow citizens, and none are more prone
to this very class of men here proposed tu
be exempted from the draft. II Is almost
universal with them, to denounce from
the pulpit, those who may differ from
thenl, III their particular views; and do
not propose to follow them in their prac-
tlre; uut says Mr.. Dixiou: The minis
tcrs oil the ChriStion Religion cannot, in
my Judgment, con5i. ten ly with the du
ties vi the.r sacred calling. engage in tht
: bloody work vi war. Why not as wei
: e.gase in tae bloody work as advi
y others to do 80 +? MIR. Dixon says: Tn,
: war lis in my opinion the holiest war il
which any portion OF mankind have eve
= : been engaged" Ii this be 80, why shoule
: not these hoty men put on the accomplish
:, ment Of the holy purpose.
Yet as holy as Is this war, Dir. Dixon i
: shocked at the iucd oil the oattles bein.
: fought by tho Ministers of Religion:
= he shriIks rom the sight OF men uerotet
to its high and holy calling acting in uu
armies As the executloners OF traitors. |
: lis not for them to wleid the sword o
vengeance, not for them ',the battle U
the warrior, with csnfu>ed noise, and gar
ments rolled in blood, None oil thes
things are for them they have hi CHE
7, and holier duty, and what Is it that Mr.
- Dixon proposes they shall 30, as thei
= higher and ho!ier calling?' Prelc
g Christ aud Him crucifed," aud peace an
= good will to men? No, not that, bu
they are needed at home to couuteract tn
:. " influence of disloyal press! j
!" 1t this war was denounced by Mr.. Dix
~ on as wicked aud uDhoy war, then thel
. would be some CONSISTENCY in him tryin
. to exempt the preachers; Il. he did durin
- the war With Mexico, which he and b
~ party denounced as an unhYly war; but
II this "holy va it is eminently prop,
t. that the holy men should go forward an
p take the chances of having their ga
ments rolled in blood" La the lanyuls
Al of Senator Lane. Of Indiana Il "a
40 willing and anxious that every minist,
= shall stand his chance to be con.cripte
D equally with his flock" and | may ad,
+ ali other focks. The ''disloyai press
ie of the preachers.
os Ii it lie true, as Mr.. Dixon says, 18th
A. the Ministers of the Christian Reliyi,
o. can not consistently with the duti,
Ct OF their sacred calling, engage in II
rs bloody work OF war" how can any Chri
tiam consistIy so engage? Are not tt
ssnc principles of christianity enj DIN,
upon all ? Must the miuieter say to
! flock II cannot consistently engage
'e this bloody work of war, but you my chri
We tian flock, can do SO; there is speci
rs precise in Coos ordinance, making ii
~ distinction" Let there be no exemption
's' o. account of professions. Let the do
ne tor, preacher, lawyer, farmer mechani
:" and all. occupy the SINE relation.
" there be any preference given, let it be
us those who are pool and who have fam
Ia lies dependent on them for support
30 Preachcrs can march as we'll as 9th
ne men; they can also pray for the army
g they move.
The large voto of the Senate, 33 to
at against the exemption for ministers, shoy
g decidedly healthy sentiment On tn
y question. ut least. LUKE.
&c 2"N"
ldt From xiAaarl ss a0D.