The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1866-09-20
Try Mard Beecher = Political
Preachers.

construction policy of the President
This production OF Mr.. Bcccher Ia
been the fruitful theme of eulogy o
the part of the Conservative press O
the North, and of the bitterest denun
citation by many of the Radical organs
1t has attracted very general attention
both on account of the elegance of it.
style, the subjects discussed, and tn,
anteccdcnts of its author. Indeed j
has created quite sensation, and is
by many regarded as one of the mos
significant signs of reaction yet dis
covered in the Radical camp But il
seems that Mr. Beecher raised a storm
over his head which he could not well
resist His lifelong friends, and pc
litical associates, yea even his own
congregation, affect much surprise and
indignation that he should even indi-
rectly lend the weight of his great and
reverend name in support of the policy
of President johnson Consequently
Mr.. Beecher writes another letter in
which he attempts to reason with, and
pacify his aggrieved friends, and for
their benefit INDUCES in some very un-
complimentary illusions to Mr.. John
son. That, Of course, tickles his Radi-
cal friends Henry understands their
soft points, and he presses it to good
advantage. From the main features
of his first letter, however, he departs
not one little; and, we presume, he is
hereafter to get the cold shoulder or
to be formally ruled out Of the Repub-
lican party.
Well, we cannot say that we have
much sympathy for Mr., Beecher. We
have long since classed him in the
Garrison Philips Sumner school, and
the most apt and brilliant scholar of
that abolition class. We are disposed
to doubt his conservative professions
at this late day. He will have to be
very repentant before he can atone for
all the evils which his fanatical teach
ings have helped to bring upon the
country, and which he now affects so
earnest a desire to remove. We think,
for his own reputation, he had better
stick to his party, and go down bravely
with it in the overwhelming defeat
that awaits them We do not like to
see him desert the sinking ship, and
escape the fate which impends over
the balance of the crew.
To Mr.. Beecher and the thousands |
of abolition preachers of the North, the
country is mainly indebted for the dis
asters which have befallen it. Com
missioned to preach only Christ and
Him Crucified, they have wandered
from the sacred text, and have become
The advocates, if not the leaders, Of
some of the most abominable political
vagaries. They were the first to agi-
tate the question of slavery, and they |
now claim the special thanks of Heaven
because the institution is abolished. OF
course they will each have a niger in
he crown of their rejoicing, and we
IRE willing that Henry Ward Beecher
shall have two. Heis entitled to some |
extra distinction for his faithful SER
vices in the "great cause of freedom"
md we are not disposed to let him for
'eit the honors which his advocacy of
emancipation so justly entitle him.
But if he persists in trying the con-
sentative programme, his friends will
lesert him, and those whom he now
seeks to tickle, are disposed to be a
title suspicious of such hard cases.
We have a profound contempt
or political preachers North or South,
md entertain but little respect for
heir published views on political mat
ers. We think it but right, proper
md becoming, that every citizen, no
natter what his calling, should feel a
lively interest in the welfare of his
and DO all in his sphere to
that end. We like to see
bur ministry well posted in all that
lffects the public veal we like to see
hem go to the ballot-box and deposit |
heir vote; but we do not like to see
hem desert the pulpit and mount the
stump, and become the fomenters of
liscord instead of the messengers Of
,eace and good viii.
In the South we have but little TO |
complain of the ministry in this re-
'pect Almost without exception, they |
gnore politics, and whenever one |
iteps aside from his holy calling to
labble in the exciting questions Of the |
lay, that moment he loses his inhu- |
nee as a minister of the gospel Not |
10 in New England. For twenty !
-ears or more the pulpits Of that sane !.