The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-05-15
A POLITICAL PREACHERS DEATH.

/, NJ. M.Pomeroy, of the La Cross (Wis.) DEM
7ocrat gives the following death-bed scene, which
he was called to witness in his recent visit 10
Chicago:
| The Rev. Henry Clannard, an ex-army chap
lain who left off expounding the Bible and re-
cruitino for the Saviour, and by ndorsing the
nigger and abolitionists became an army chaplain
in one of the Wisconsin regiments, passed from
life the other day.
A physician had called on him two or three
times a day for month, doctorng him for an
ague brought ON while stealing cotton In Arkan-
sas with Gen. Curtis. On learning that the
minister and ex-chapain would hardly live the
night out, we called with the physician.
In little wooden looking room. not over
twelve feet square, in an obscure boarding house
in Chicago we found the invalid. The room was
bare with furniture except a poor bed, a little
dirty wash-stand two wood-bottom chairs, an
| old trunk pine table, on which lay an old BIZ
bic, pair of SHUTTERS, some pill boxes and such
stuff. The dying man was propped up in bed,
while faithful negro woman sat on the foot of
the bed As we entered, he rallied little and
asked the doctor who he bad brought with him.
On being told he sunk back, closed his eyes
rallied little and said perhaps it is as WE'LL
He might as we'll know it any one"
| And he proceeded to make this dying state
ment, which was in these words as we took them
in our memorandum book as the physician re-
quested
! My name is Henry Clannard; am forty
years old. | am Methodist ministerial least
was one. was once happy and contented'
and loved Christ, my Master with al the zeal a
christian ever had. At last grew cold in re-
lglon, selfish and envious of the good fortunes OF
others. wanted to make money and have some
fun, so thought would be Republican politi-
eian | began by preaching politics from the
pulpit, and praying for the negro. 1t paid me
| In money, but lost influence at the Throne OF
Grace. But did not care for that, if | could
only have influence with the Republican party
forgot Christ and became interested in the ne
gro. had influence with few members of my
church, and talked politics to them. was paid
| 10y office seekers to influence christians.
found politics paid better than religion, and
| worked for the chaplaincy of reg iment and
got it. Then | let religion 60 and went to war.
There wrote letters home denouncng Democrats
as copperheads. And | stole cotton, and silver
ware and pictures, and books, and dresses for
my wife and sisters, and horses and mules for my
brothers, and piano for the Governor who gave
me my commission, and gold watch for my
captain, and lot of household furniture to send
to my Colonel. And | robbed the soldiers of
stuff sent down to them to use while in hospital,
! anu ht'd my SHoic VI SoOuS otOlcu HUH tAC
Sanitary fairs and made lots of money.
But was not happy. | drank whiskey with
the boys when away from home and INDUCED in
excuses hot worth mentioning, and laid up quite
pile of money. And | was taken sick while out
stealing cotton from plantation where widow
lady lived | had coaxed her negroes to run
away, and they all dead now. When the
war was ended | came home TO Wisconsin, but
could not stay there. So came to Chicago
And grew sick. And have got to die l have
called on Christi have prayed to God, but
somehow | cannot get relief for my soul. The
door of mercy seems shut against me. [ forsook
religion for politics, and now God has forsaken
me- l pray to my Saviour, but he don't hear
me. :aIk to this faithful negro woman-she
says: Yes, massa p and that is all can get out
of her. know | can't live long. feel that
am dying. | feel certain that am going to hell.
| want these things written down warning
to others who forget Christ for politics. l feel
that the negro can't save-that Christ won't save
me. | was untaithful to my religion and am
forgotten l was faithful to the negro; but alas
the negro can't help me where l want help; he
can't ease my guilty soul. l am going to hell,
and | know it. | expect to meet many persons
there who forgot religion for politics. [ do not
expect to see you again in this world or the next
but want this confession printed.
And thus died the Rev. Henry CIannard.