New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-22
sOUTHERN CHURCHES.

One of the chief supports Of the Pro-Slavery
and Pro-Rebelion party in the recovered Slave
States is tho Southern Churches. Long before
the birth of the Southern Con'ederacy, many OF
them were built upon Slavery as their corner.
stone, and sympathy with and the defense OF
Slavery and al the denominations connected
with il, is the only mark of distinction when
separates them from the other religious denomi'
nations of Christendon. They have not only
been silent upon al the crimes of the slave
power, but they have eveo undertaken to prove
Slavery t. be the normal and divinely-nstituted
condition Of tLe negro, and have branded all The
philsnthropic cforls co. the amclioa,ion Of biz
fate as seni-nfidclity. They have been
in every respect the most rabid supporters
and promoters Of the Rebellion. Such organi-
cations cannot, Of course, be expected to sur
yive Slavery, and it is therefore tho instinct Of
self-presorvation which prompts them to oppose
the return of The Slave States to the Union.
Tie establishment in the recovered slave ter
ritory of loyal ard An;i-slayc-y churches is q
matter Of no small impor' incc for the State.
Every church Of this class is q nucleus Of Union
sentiment which will aid in educa ny another
race than that which las so long lorded it over
the Slave States.
The progress which has been thus far made
among the whole peoIlc IN the establishment oil
loyal and Anti.Slavery churches has been steady
and yet slow. 1t is notable in Missouri, Mary
land and West Virginia, where the race OF Pro-
Slavery diyiues viii soon die out. But 1t Is
otherwise in Kentucky, where large proper
ton of the clergy OF all denominations continue
TO cooperate with the worst class of Coppcrheads,
although there are some noble md conspicuous
exceptions, A. the Rev. DR.. Breckenridge and
the editors of The DanriHe Rtri<u. The re-
lgious papers Of Kentucky are among the most
violent opposers of the National Government,
and the religious meetings OF the Presbyterians
and the Baptists passed resolutions denounclng
the steps taken by the Government against the
dilpysl clergy. In Tennessee there appears to be
tendency TO rejoin tire church organizations
of tho FREQ States. Thus the Presbytery OF
Nashville has resumed its connection with the
Oid-School General Assembly, although the
latter has this year committed itself 10 strong
An,i-slsvery policy. Tho Cumber land Pres
byterians, who are very numerous in East
Tennessee, were represented at the recent Cen
eral Assembly Of their Churchby two delegates
who voted with the majority in dencuncing
Slavery as the chief cause Of tho War. In
nd ntbar
States, feeble beginning has been made, but
the majority OF tho congregations have never
vet ceased 10 ayow their Rebel and Pro-Slavery
sentiments.
Much more promising are the prospects of the
churches and schools which have been estah-
shed among the freedmen. Wherever the au-
,hori,y of the United States has been restored,
they hasten 10 disconnect Themselves from the
Pro- Slavery organization in which they have
been kept against their will, and TO organize
congregations which are enthusiastically loyal.
They call for more mini ,ers and teachers, and
and societies of the Northern States are nobly
yying with each other in sending them ministers
and teachers, they cannot supply the demand.
All the missionaries who are laboring
among them speak with admiration OIL
tho progress they are making III an in
tellectual and moral point Of view; of their
devotion to the cause OF the Union, and Of the
gratitude which they feel toward the Govern
ment that has liberated them. The number
which have connected themselves with North
ern ecclesiastical organizations is considerable. |
Thus the African Methodist Episcopal Church |
reports since the beginning OF the war, an add- |
ton to its membership of about 10000; and the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church has
effected, in North Carolina alone, an increase Of
1000 members. Their numerous schools are edu-
eating a large population, which will form in each
one Of the slave States most welcome Union
element. While tho whites still continue to be
divided on the question Of loyalty, the blacks
ara unit for restoring the Union and abolish
ishing Slavery.
RETALIATION.
Va ntoI pa.farInv With nj tba