The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1864-03-09
Running Churches as Political
Machines.

4
80 prevent the blending of Churcl
and State. The infdel Jacobins op'
pose this, because such blending serves
their corrupt and selfish ends for OBJ
tanning power and plunder, whatevel
may become Of the country and it
liberties. In the name of God they
blaspheme; and in the name of Free
dom trample on the most sacredright
Of men.
That such is the temper Of the lead
ing men of the party controlling thu
Administration, is proved by the daily
tone of its journals, and by oficia
documents emanating from men it hal
elevated to high positions. Its lead
ers don't want politics kept out o.
churches; but they want the churches
run as mere political machines to grind
out grists according to order. Lin
coin and his Cabinet, and such valiant
Generals as Ben. Butler and Bob
Schenck, are to keepers of the con.
sciences of the people, who must wor-
ship whatsoever image is set up, tho
it be one of ebony.
Secretary Of War Stanton issued
last November the following order:
WAR DEPARTMENT, J
ADJ'T GEMS. OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, Nov. 80, 1868.
20 the Generals Commanding the
Departments of the Missouri, the
Tennessee and the Gulf, and all
Generals and Officers commanding
armies, 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 at
the disposal 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 now oficlate.
1t is matter of great Importance
to the Government in its efforts to re-
store tranquility to the community,
and peace to the nation, that Chris
tian ministers should, by example and
precept, support and foster the loyal
sentiment of the people. Bishop
Ames enjoys the entire confidence of
This Department, and no doubt is en-
tertained that all ministers who may
be appointed by him will be entirely
loyal. You are expected to give him
ali the aid, countenance, and support
practicable, in the execution of his
important mission.
You are also authorized and direc-
ted to furnish Bishop Ames and his
clerk with transportation and subsis'
tence, when it can be done without
prejudice to the service, and will at
ford them courtesy, assistance and
protection.
By order of the Secretary of War.
E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant General.
This is still a standing order. and
under it various action has been ta-
ken by Generals Schenck, Banks and
others,I to make pastors and churches
conform to an orthodox political STAN
dard, and become auxilaries to the
radical revolutionary party. One of
the most fagrant cases of political and
military interference with the religion
of fbea people was the election near
the close of 1862, Of the Rev. DR..
McPheeters from St. Louis by order
OF General Curtis commanding in
that Department.
This case excited very general in'
dignation and reprobation, and Mr..
Lincoln apprehending serious results
to himself politically wrote letter
respecting it, dated December 23,
1868, and recently published. That
letter contained the following charac.
teristic passages:
On the I'd of January last, I wrote
to General Curtis in relation to Mr..
Dicks order upon Doctor McPheeters;
and, as I suppose the doctor is enjoys
ing all slA rights of a civilian, ! only
quote that part of my letter which re-
lates to the church. 1t is as follows:
"BUT I MUST ADD THAT THE UNITED
STATES GOVERNMENT MUST NOT, AS
BY THIS ORDER, UNDERTAKE TO RUN
THE CHURCHES. When an individual,
in the church or out Of it, becomes
dangerous to the public interest, he
must be checked, but the churches, as
such, must take care of themselves
1t will not do for the United States to
appoint trustees, supervisors or other
agents for the churches"
This letter going to General Curtis,
then in command, supposed, of course
it was obeyed, especially as | heard
no further complaint from DR.. McP.
Or his friends for nearly an entire
year. l HAVE M NEVER INTERs
FERBD, NOR THOUGHT OF INTERFERING,
AS TowHo SILL on SHALL NOT PREACH
IN ANY CHURCH, NOR HAVE I KNOW
INaLy OR BELIEvINGLY TOLERATED