The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-01-10
Bishop WiIsner TO Bishop Hop
Il lkins. Of Vermont.

The following are extracts from q lette
written by Bishop Wilmer. Of Alabama, t
Bishop Hopkins, Of Vermont. setting fort
some ofthe reasons why delegates from tn
various Southern dioceses did not atten
the recent General Convention Of the Epis
copal Church ii Philadelphia
* Were ell men, good Bishop, like-minde'
with yourself We might have-n0. hesitati0l
Fin thislfnatter but certain painful thing
are brought to our ears. One party propo
SEES to keep the Southern churchmen il
the cold 80 to pat the rebels upon stool
of repentance" etc. We see in the Jour
nal Of 1862 certain resolutions proposed
wonouncing certain worthy bishops "schis
NAUTICAL" and proclaiming the jursdictio,
Of certain bishop " null and void True
the resolutions were not adopted, but the.
indicate the temper of a part of that body
and we have no means Of ascertaining tn
complexion Of the mex. general convention
Fanaticism grows fast in the hour of tri
umph. $50 aalea
" = The Southern deputies them
selves may very naturally be supposed t.
have some sentiment in this matter Thei
sons and brothers lie in bloody graves
their lands are desolate, and strangers de
Your it in their presence--the emancipatee
slaves garrison their cities--they live them.
selves, as yet, under the ban-their repre-.
sentative man, no guiltier than themselves
is in bonds, and may have to die an igno-
miuioas death. The whole Southern peo-
pie, therefore, are at the moment awaiting
trial in the person of their representative
head--they are denounced as felons and
a shackled press is forbidden to speak a
word Of vindication or remonstrance,
Your own heart, good Bishop, will tell
you that men in such q condition are in no
mood to joinin jubilation over restoration
which is sealed by their degradation. The
peace, for which Re Deums will be chanted,
is purchased by the loss Of their inheri-
lance, and they are now sitting in the deep
valley of humiliation.
The men of The South have no desire to
prolong the hopeless conflict. They accept
the failure Of their effort as fact, and, as
Christian men, will render faithful aliegi-
ance to "the powers that be" for Gods
sake; but it is asking too much of them
hat they shall swell the pageant which
celebrates their subjugation.
Some time, Bishop, must be given to the
heart to school itself. Our people are in
10 meod for joyous congratulations. They
ire not yet out Of Mourning for their dead.
It is easy for you to come together, and to
DIN heartily in laudates for peace and reu-
hon. Yours is the victorious section. 1t
s easy for him who triumphs to forgive
md from your stand point you can thank
sod with full heart. We are trying to
orgiye and to forget and. lifting up our
learts unto God from the dust, We are try
ng to say, /" Thy will lie done"
Excuse some Of US, Bishop, for preferring
ast now to stand aloof from the discussion
4 these subjects. Our own wounds are
90 recent to bear rough handling We
ave no heart for them, we have no wish to
iscuss them, for there can be no free dis
ussion. Nor can we, by our silent pres
nee, be faithless to the memory Of our,
cad, nor consent to stand BY, whilst other
ascribe TRAITORS on their gravestones."