The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1864-12-28
The Clergy and Politics.
CAnr RUSSELL, FREDERICK CovSrr,
VALLEY OF VIRGINIA, Nov. 10. 1864:

CAnf RUSSELL, FREDERICK CoUSrr,
VALLEY OF VIRGINIA, Nov. 10, 1864. J
EDS. JounNAL:-Some friend or foe, through
friendship or malice. sent me u haif-shcct Of
the KanauhG Republican, dated Oct. II, 1851,
containing letter written by some one. sign
ing himself "a Soldier" in which rthcrc are
some hard things said Of the Hon. J. NJ.
Phelps, and in which Mr.. Whalcy is cxtolled
to the very heavens, rs the very personifca-
ton Of every virtue and perfection that poor
human nature can boast Of We intend, how
ever passing by all that had any direct
reference TO the personal character and nbili-
ties Of the two candidates, in this letter. The
contest is now decided, and although the
result has not been what VIC could have
wished, get it is the duty of all who believe in
the principles Of Republican government, to
acquicscs with the will Of tho majority. We
believe, with all our heart, in such govern
ment. We submit, and only wish TINT the
successful candidates may succeed in giving
satisfaction TO the people whose SER
wants they: nrc, and that their eicvaton''to
place and power may only result in opening
their cy"s to behold the dread responsibilities
TINT res. upon them, to labor for the moral
and social elevation of those who have confded
these great interests iuto their hands.
But What we designed noticing more par
ticularly, in the outset, was the attack made
upon the idea that moral and religious men
only should be admitted into the legislative
and governmental departments Of the coun'
,ry;-apd simply because q man happens to
be minister Of the Gospel, is no just reason
why he should not be admitted into the halls
of legislation and the writer's vindication
Of that most absurd and ridiculous idea, that
unrightcous, wicked, and immoral men are
moro preferable for positions Of power in the
poli,ica; and governmental departments Of
our country, than pious, hoScst, holy, up
right MN. What All absurdity! What con-
tradiction Of all the history Of the past 10
suppose that men who only fcisn to believe in
the great principles Of Christianity, and who
know nothing of the converting power Of
Gods eternal truth,-whosc faitl>in the great
doctrines Of the Bible, SO fur as tits manifest,
is the result only of policy or the, irresistible
force Of public sentiment, and whose actions
give the lie to all their hypocritical prcten-
sions of regard for the Christian religion
would stamp the iaws and statutes of their
oririnution with tho sublime and heavenly
doctrines of Gods Holy Book! as we'll might
you expect to find the Bible polycarded
through the dominions. Of hell, or Gods Law
proclaimed from the throne Of Bcelzebub..
This struggle has always existed, and has
been tao fruitful source Of three-fourths of oil
the bloody wars that have cursed tho world;
and. its occasional triumphs have called down
Jchovahs crushing judgments upon guilty
land. 1t ism effort to elevate tho wicked to
place and power, and to crush the righteous
into obscurity. 1t is On effort to exalt the
rebelbous, ungorernablc, daring, and
world-crushing element to Libcrtys own
sanctam. 1t is to place the abomina,ion Of
desol6tion where it ought not to be.
Tho idea that because man happens TO be
o minister Of the Gospel, aside from every
otherconsidcration, therefore he ought to be
objcc3ed to as not eligible to holding places Of
honor or enolument in tho civil departments
Of society, is the result Of mons wicked and
perverted nature. And tits utterly futile for
such men to pretend to base their objections
upon. their pretended regards for the princi-
Piles Of tho Christian religion, or the purica-
ton and elevation of mans moral nature; for
in ninoty-ninc cases out Of crery hundred,
such men are. wicked and irreligious, and
care. nothing for piety, only so far as their
temporal. interests may suggest, and. who
never pay ono dollar. for the support Of the
preachers suffering family, except when, like
the Phurisec, they, can secure the praise Of
mon. ... .... .,..... r... r..
Vito such On imbccile, whe 30 unacquainted
With human affairs, as not to know that it is
the moral and religious complexion Of the
l.rt Of any country that monld' and shapes