Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-05-18
prayer as .on Agencz in Politics.

It is one Oh old Bayne's ia7orite ideas that
politics ndrelgion are paris Ct whole, andi
that as faith without works is dead, Sc religion
without politics is dead also. We used to hear
a great many political prayers IN the ConYen-
ton. On one occasion reverend gentleman
prayed for Stay Law. Bayne in Norfolk the
other day, before unpacking his radical wallet
opened the meeting with q prayer and hymn
The Congressional Chaplain throws the weight
of his celestial influence habitually 70 favor OF
such measures as he approves; and IT the.
Chaplain has really any influence, the minority
ir Congress is necessarily placed ata great dis
advantage -
This thing has become too serious to be.
ignored. Religion at the North has entered
into strict alliances offensive and Defensive
with Politics. We saw it stated a few days
since that some Americans in Mexico during
MaxmiIian's lifetime, anxious to enlist the
United States in his cause, set about manlpu ia
ting the press and the clargy of the North IN
order to shape public sentiment, .,..e.,~.,
THERE'S Fifth Estate IN the administration
of government at The North. This is the Clergy
Nowtho sharpest sort Of practice follows from
union OF the Fourth and Fifth estates in the
same public character. y'.,tJ
It used to be thought necessary in the South
that the young politician should flesh his mai
den sword by fighting halt dozen ducls but
we are told that new ideas and new clVlllza-
ton are about to spread over this section; to-
succeed in politics hereafter the ambitious
young Virginian must learn 10 lead In prayer,
| and must lay the foundations ct career IN
| Congress by first becoming q strong eZhorter!!
No political party can get into power IN. the
| United States nov, unless It first becomes rell.
gious; and no "'Christian" denomination can
reach the CONSCIENCE OF the masses unless 1T
| first Joins the Radicals Salvation must be
permanent plank in the platform of all Presi-,
Dental Conventions; and universal negro SUIT
| frage and the iron clad oath are the test o.!
Standing or falling church.
! It is perfectly idle 10 rely any more on get
ting bill through Congress by lobbying, and
| treating, and the free use Of money. The ad-
vocates OF new railroad route who want al
appropriation have 4 very simple duty TO per;
| form-lf they want to succeed; they must hold
prayer meetlng-they must fast and pray to
| God to induce majority of Congress to vote
! Tor the BILL They must win over the Chaplain
to Congress, and get him to pray tor the bill.
| They must get the Synods and Councils and
| Conferences and Associations Of the country to
sing and pray with them. 'sEg@
In national politics. and with regard to the
| issues beteeD the two great parties OF the coun-
try, the Democrats are between two fires;
apart from the use o. the old party machinery,
on the one hand they have Senator Wilson and
General Howard and Doctor Bayne praying
! against them ana on the ether, they have
| Thad. Stevens and Greeley an1 Wendell Phil
lips cursing them. The incense of the saints
and the yilriol ofthe philosophers. They bat
tie at once with the carnal weapons and the
spiritual exercises Of the Klishts TcmPlars.
They carry The Cross 10 one hand and the
| Sword in the other The sweet influences OF
the Pleiades and the disemboweled wrath Of
the central fires DR.. Tying and Ben Wade.
The mild charities OF uunnicutt and the god
less acerbities of Clements. The sanctimonl-
Gus importantly Of IIawxhurst and the uproarl-
Gus cauldron OF Bolts.
As to this Impeachment business We could
not say positively Of course how the Senate
will dispose fit; but when We see the Rev;
Mr. Butler, colorcd, Of the African Methodist
| Zion Church Conference fasting and praying
that God may direct the Senate TO convict
President johnson to-day---wc think it not
improbable that the thing is up. How can
Senator Fesseuden resist? Bayne, we suppose,
| and Mr.. Thompson, aud Rec. Coo Icl White
(who challenged General Buticr) will get to
praying that the Test Oath shall not be strick-
en- out Of the Virginia Constitution. What
can the Rebels do? They cannot turn their
Barbccues into Prayer Meetings, nor make a
cross of the two ideas. Things look bIacker
than ever i Charlottesville Chronicle.