Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-02-25
FROM THE SAME PAPER,

Government Interference IN Ecclesiastical AT
Jairs-Autograph Letter from The President
ST. LOUIS, (Mo) FEBRUARY 20, 1864
Editor Of the Missouri Republican
DEAR SIR: The recent order Of Secretary Stanton m
vesting Bishop Ames with than episcopal or pontf
cal authority extended portion Of the country has
naturally produced widespread feeling of
not unmnged with alarm That CHURCH and STATE
should be each independent Of the othershoud be each
wholly tree from dicaon interference on the part of
the other, maxim that has been practically con
trsdcted since the formation Of the Government until the
appearance of the order which you in conjunction with
the An-eger. justly criticse But there is really no
ground of alarm Mr.. stantons policy is not the policy
OF the Government for il not the policy of the head of
the Government perusa Of the sutoned letter in Mr.
Llncons handwriting cannot fail to convince YOU Of
this As you will perceive, it written to one of our
best known and most highly esteemed cgens--a very
prominent member Of the pliop party he consents to
it's publication in order TO arrest the growth of
ncious mscopstruction in the public mind bat with the
condition that bis name shall not appear. II i no strain
ed Interpretation Of the text say the action of tina
War Department 10 this matter was unauthorized and
will be reversed Secretary Stanton may be ambitions az
exercising supreme ecclesiastical we'll as military au
thorty but l. for have apprehension that so
poserous usurpaton Of power wholly foreign to every
branch of the Federal Government will be tolerated mo-
msnt after the question is formally brought before the
President. Very truly, +
EXECUTIVE MANSION
Washington, December %, 1863
have just looked petition signed by some three
dozen citizens Of st Louis aud their accompanying letter
enc by yourself by Mr.. Nathan Ranney and bv a
Mr. John d. Coalter, the whole relating to the Rev DR.
McPheeters.
The petition prays, in the of Justice and mercy
that will restore DR. McPheeers to all his
rights This gives ntination TO what cal
rights withdrawn Your letter states that Provost
Marshal Dick about ago. ordered the arrest of DIR
McPheeers pastor Of the Vine Street Church prohibited
him from officiating and placed the of the
affairs Of the church out OF the control Of its chosen tu
ees and the close you state that certain course
would insure his release Mr. Ranuey's letter laws
Dr. Samuel g. McPheeters is enjoying all the rights Of
civilian, but cannot preach the gospel" Mr. Coalter
IN his letter asks, Is II not strange illustration of the
condition OF things that the question Of who shall be al
lowed to preach in church in St. Louis shall be decided
by the President Of the United States Z" Now all this
sounds very strangely and, witha little az if YOU gen
temen making the application, do not understand the
case alike affirming at his Doctor lie enjoying all the
rights OF civilian, and another pointing out to me what
will secure the release.
On the ID Of January last Iwrote TO Gen Curt;s in
relation to Mr.. Dicks order upon Dr. McPheetersi and
as suppose, the Doctor is enjoying s the rights Of
civilian only quote that part OF my letter which relates
to the church It is follows: But must add that
the United States Government must not IA by this order
undertake to the churches When an individual in
church out Of it, becomes dangerous to the public
interest he must be checked but the churches such
must take care OF themselves. 1t will not do for .
United States to appoint trustees superior, or o,her
agents for the churches"
This letter going to Gen Curtis, then In commsod I
supposed OF course 10 was obeyed especaly IA heard
no further complaint from pr Nc or his friends for nearly