The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-01-09
For the Dispatch.
For the Dispatch.
The Northern COnfereEce-GOVern
PeirpOint and the Clergy.

Fe1rpOkn1 ANA the
It seems to have been part Of the pro-
yramme of the Northern Methodist Con-
ference, recently held in this city, that at
a certain juncture in their proceedings
our precious Governor should be intro
duced to that body with a grand flourish OF
the Episcopal trumpet. Behold at the
appointed time he enters, and all the men,
bers received him standing Well, to
all this we do not object. But there is
little eposide connected with this intro
duction which gives to the whole perform
ance very obnoxious character-one
which evidently has the smell Of politics
upon it, and reveals politician uttering
again dark insinuations against the clergy
of the South.
When introduced, the Governor said
that he "did not know that on such an
occasion remarks were expected; but it
gives him pleasure to assure the ministers
present that they Lid his wishes, sympa-
thies, anxicties, and prayers for success"
Then he proceeds to give tire reason why
their success is an object of such ardent
desire on his part. Here it is: "When
hatred to the Government is encouraged
by base men in the sections in which you
are called upon to labor, and when it is
known that you, as ministers, are loyal to
the powers that be, yours is an important
work; and in it you have my cordial SYM
pathies."
It will be remembered that few months
ago, in a scandalous circular gotten up by
the Rev. James Mitchell, Governor Peir-
points bosom friend and ecclesiastical ad-
wiser, and, in our opinion, circulated at the
North for party purposes, the Governor
said: "Thc clergy of the South are tho
roughly disloyal, and active in the propa-
gandiSm of rebel sentiments" &c. Not
one word of this grave accusation has he
ever retracted or sustained by proof. And
now he adds insult to injury by darkly in
sinuating that all he said in that circular
was true, and that the clergy Of the South
are the "baSe men who are encouraging
hatred to the Government" This is but g.
continuation of the Governors former
chapter of abuse, and it is to be hoped
that this will suffice, and that he will now
cease the foul work of aspersing the charac-
ter of the southern clergy. Is it not to be
feared that even Governor may permit
himself to be used as the plant tool of an
evil counsellor, who, ever and anon, whls-
pers in his ear, "Governor, these south
ern preachers are all perjured wretches !;
what fine thing it viii be for the Northern
Church if you will only sound 1t forth from
your pubernatorial horn. Such blast
from your trumpet would have magical
effect" The trumpet sounds accordingly,
and we fear that certain gentleman, q
prominent member of the Governors
model conference, whom we, not long since,
heard ranting on the capitol steps in the
midst Of political caucus, plays on the
instrument tune to suit himself.
Is Governor Peirpoint aware that part
of the Conference to whom he so gra-
ciously made obeisance were connected
with the Church South until we became
impoverished and the preachers pay was
small? Are the clergy of the South to be
made the subjects of base misrepresenta-
tion because they prefer to cling to their
people and share their trials and suffer-
ings? Is this our reproach? Then we
glory in it. God be praised that in His
Church there are just such lignumvit8,
gold-proof characters. And it is to be
hoped that persecution will only make the
roots Of resolution strike the deeper, and
the trunk of testimony stand the firmer.
For one, never will We consent to fawn
and cringe at the feet of political power,
or make the high and holy Office of
the ministry subserve the interests of
a political party. If this be disloyalty,
I" make the most of it," We will pray
for our country and our rulers, but
from our Utmost soul will we detest
the misrepresentation OF 8 man who
taketh up reproach against his neigh
Dor, even though he be Governor. We
have no respect for him who seeks to stab
The reputation of his fellow. Poor and
oufeted as the southern clergy are, they