The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-07-01

Where IL the Moral Sentiment OF the
Countryf


The influence of the leading Evangelical
denominations of the country, when united,
may be said to be decisive in forming and
controlling the moral sentiment of the peo-
pie. Ten millions Of population, comprising
the most intelligent, influential and wealthy
Of the land, are associated with these churches,
and speak their convictions and receive their
moral training through them. If they have
settled unanimously and earnestly upon any
question entering deeply into the National
policy, that policy ID sattled. Contrary in
dications may be set down - mare incidents,
without authority and without pefmsasane.
The strange, thedisappointing, the danger
Gus policy of the Executive for the last twelve
months, has seemed to many more ominous,
because thsy have feared il would prevail
1t was feared that full one.half of the costly
results Of the war would be sacrificed that
treason would not only 60 unpunished, but
would stink back again to its old haunts of
power; that the starvings and slow tortures
and bloodhound pursuits and massacres Of
prisoners of war and of Union men in the
South, would go unavenged; and that all the
venomous elements of secession and the dis
carded and defeated policies of the slave
power would be incorporated into the body Of
the reconstructed American Union. There
are some who have felt more discouraged
than during the memorable days before Get
tysburg. crushed rebels have lifted up their
bruised heads, and shout of fierce exulta-
tion-the echo of the rebel yell on the field
of battle-has rolled from the Rappahan-
mock TO the Rio Grande at the concessions
proposed by an Executive lenient TO rebels
but unfriendly to loyal Congress.
But it will not avail. The sentiment of the
Christian people of the North Ia fixed and
well nigh unanimous. As opportunity for it's
expression recurs, it is found TO be true and
unwsvering as the pole. Nay, it grows in
earnestnes and volume. 1t makes even moro
emphatic demonstrations, as the situation
grows more dubious in other quarters 1.-THE
Old School branch Of our Church during the
war cheered our hearts by the snti-slavery
and patriotic utterances OF the majority Of its
successive Assemblies, it has reserved its
most sweeping measures to the close Of the
war, and has thrown CONSERVATION and dis.
may into the ranks Of the temporizers and
the reactionaries by grand act Of purration,
crushing out OF treason in the Church, which
might well be taken as model for crushing
out treason in the State.
1t IS truly marvellous to see that recent
stronghold OF pro-slavery conservatism, that
six years ago seemed to weigh like an incu.
bus upon the free heart OF the country, nov.
under the inherent power of Presbyterianism.
and by the Providence Of God, led to axe =
position in the very front of the movement
for securing the fruits of our late contest for
National life and liberty abreast of the
boldest type Of the Christian radicalism Of
the land With Joy We exclaim, What hath
God wrought With overdowing hearts we
welcome this great, influential intelligent
body OF brother Presbyterisns upon the the
platform. The whole country knows and
feels the significance of their position. Mot
deeply is it felt now, as bold forward move.
ment, when humorous hearts were expecting
. retreat, and when many did not know what
TO expect. 1t will work wonders in steadyiue
opinions. 1t will open many drowsy eyes.
The action of our own Church 10 also more
distinct and more significant than ever. With
out dealing in rebuke or personality-with
dignity, calmness, and unmistakable plain
ness Of speech--it plants itself directly across
the path Of reaction indorses the great acts
Of Congress; pleads for impartial suffrage ;
warns against loose methods of reconstruc-
ton, and demands the punishment Of the
rebel leaders. We know there were some
who thought our Assembly would do littla 8,
nothing. We rejoice that It never snols =
plainly before. For ourselves, in the edito.
/ rial management Of this paper upon ouestic 81
OF public interest, We have always felt. mot
only that We had the heart ofthe Church WITH
~, but that our policy Of unreserved adyoca.
csy OF great and simple principles, ID critical
tunes, was one entirely sccordant With the
spirit OF the body We represent And ~ hap.
pen TO know that this last action Of our hodv
has been received as an announcement !.
high quarters. The Hon. NJ. Simmer Is.
served copy Of the resolutioas in one ar -,
denominat'onal papers, and SAINT il, viii {
note, recommending it, publication, 70 a.
washington Chronicle, where il promp1ly
appeared We extract the following ssuteness
nom the remarks BY which il wss introdeeed
in that paper:
.Thsir declarations are strong "a No.
quivocal, not only IL favor Il whas - elreody