The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-12-13
THE DEMOCRATIC ADVOCATE.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER -. 1866.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER ID, 1866.
POLITICS AND PREACHERS.
Ashort time ago we heard a Preach
err, quite an able. man, (who, by the bye,
does not reside in this County, whilst
remembering the President of the Uni
ted States in his prayers, on two occa-.
sions, pray that such influences might
be divinely impaired as to make him a
eman of soJriety, wisdom and justice
Now, we think it highly commendable
for the clergy to remember the Execu-l
tive of the nation in their prayers in the
right spirit; but not in a way that would
seem to suggest to the audience that
the slanderous reports about our Chief
Magistrate are so true that the Almighty
should be publicly cntreated to under
take his reformation. Very probably
the preacher in question would think
hard that any one should attribute to
him improper motives for habitually
praying for the President to be a sober
man but we think, on reflection, he
ought to know that such petition was
calculated to excite unpleasant feelings
among some Of his hearers, and to con-
firm what may be an unfounded suspic-
ion in the minds of others. He should
know that this SANDER about the Presi-
dent has been industriously circulated
by uncharitable opponents through the
public press and By every possible means
Some weeks since, in the Radical pro-
cession through the streets of Westmin-
ster, one of the most conspicuous objects
was a caricature Of the President
painting ola man just taking a glass of
whiskey, labelled "My Policy" The
charge is false; and though political
would like to believe his
speeches to be founded on intemperance
or insanity, yet we know that he was
only speaking forth the words of truth
and soberness.
The same preacher in his sermon
pronounced it San Infdsl lie" to assert
that he had not right to meddle with
politics in the Pulpit, Now this de-
ponds on circumstances. If he meant
that preachers ought to take sides in
the pulpit, and advocate the claims of
particular political party to the preju-
lice, of their opponents, as is frequently
done in the North, then we take issue
With him. If he, or any other preacher
should feel it their duty to advocate
Radical principles in the sacred desk
We should insist that the preachers who
entertained opposite political sentiments
should be equally free to ventilate their
political opinions in the pulpit. Tn such
case the sacred desk would soon be no.
better than a political rostrum. If he
meant, however, by the right to NEEDLE
with politics, the right to advocate great
moral principles which apply equally to
all parties, and which could not justly
offend any of his parishioners by their
partiality, then we agree with him, and
trust he and all other preachers may
always SO interfere. aa7ia3a'
We are not of the number who think
hard Of preacher for entertaining po-
litical principles different from our own,
or of his expressing them privately in a
proper manner. This as a man, and a
citizen, he has perfect right to do;
aud, as long as he does not attempt to
use his sacred Office to propagate them
from the pulpit, or attempt to electioneer
for the candidates of his party, we think
none should complain. We love to see
a preacher independent enoughto have
political opinions, and to take interest
enough to listen to public political dis
cussions if he pleases, and to vote his
:
sentiments like others. This We think
he can do, if disposed to act honestly
and fairly in the matter, without incur
ring the censure of any reasonable man
OF opposite sentiments. Of. political
preachers, however. who are fanatical
and dogmatical enough. to attempt to
force their views upon their parishion-
ers, We have a very poor opinion. The
purity of religion, as well as of politics,
would be best promoted by the discon-
tinuance ofsuch practices.
% ADivision of Maryland.
The Radical pancrs of AIlanany Il, a