New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-06-30
CLERICAL ORATORS.

l,,e orators selected for the coming anniversary.
The attempt to keep politics out OF the pulpit
was absurd, impraetcable, and little wicked
in itself. In spite Of the circumstances OF the
quetists, the country, upon the breaking ont OF
the Rebellion, was not slow TO perceive that u
needed the voice OF tho clergy in public affairs
and it WAS quite time for the preachers OF the
North TO declare their sense OF the duty oil
LOYALTY, when the Bishops Of the South were
transmogrifying themselves into Major-Generals.
II is awell. known fact that the Rebels made the
most of their clergymen, who, every Sunday,
were expected not only to pray for the Con-
federacy but to preach in its defense, to e1hort
the sheep to shoulder their muskets and march
TO the wars at the sound Of tho drum. The
truth is that the pro-Slavery fanatics al
ways had US, upon this point, at a
disadvantage. They saw no harm in any
number Of sermons in support of Slavery. pep
perry with wrath, bristling with texts, and auda-
cious in sophistry. But let the past go! 1t Is
clear now that Slavery, with the Rebellion
which it nursed into life, was huge immortality,
the fruitful mother of myriad vices, hypocrisy
not being the least of them. So the Union nag
was hoisted upon the spire Of Trinity Church,
and the bells below celebrated the Union victo-
ries. We tasted when We were beaten, and we
sang Tie Deum when we were successful; We
prayed for the President and we prayed for the
Generals and the Admirals; while in one of the
churches of Puritan Boston q recruiting office
was opened, and did thriving business.
Whatever heretofore may have been their
scruples, it must now be evident TO the most
fastidious clergyman that the questions to be
settled by this people are chiefly questions OF
pure morality. The Legislature Of Virginia,
for instance, has just made an abortive attempt
to substitute legal marriage for the concubinage
which it was the policy Of Slavery to encourage.
The question, however, will come up again,
and with it many Others, in which morality and
policy will be most intimately blended. 1t was
the curse Of Slavery that it necesstated most
of those crimes which it is the special business
of the pulpit to denounce; but while the domi'
nant theory was forbidden subject, 1t was too
much to expect fidelity and watchiulness in
the denunciation of details. The clergyman
who loved peace better than principles was &C.
duced from the complete discharge of duty by
his very amiability. But there need be no
delicacy now. Events have opened the whole
discussion. These freedmen, as yet weak and
exposed peculiarly to the aggressions OF
the strong, are a manifest charge upon the
hearts and consciences Of all processing
Christians. In the struggle before us, We
need the aid of all religious bodies. We want
peace and good will; and We can have neither
if those who have heretofore dOmineered ovel
their brethren arc to continue the old wrong
under a new name. The Methodist Church,
one of the strongest and most numerous in the
country, has already indicated the basis upon
which it will consent to its own reconstruction
and from other religious organizations We trust
in time TO receive an equally satisfactory report
We arc not willing TO believe that all the rel