The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-07-10
COLUMB BIA, s. G.
Thursday Morning, July 10. 1873.

with "Southern Presbyterian leaders. -
divines and journals, because they are
unwilling to accept the late action Of the
Presbyterian Church North, in favor of
the union OF the churches North ind
South. It trusts that the Northern AS
sembly will not go, cap in hand, to the
Southern Assembly, with any more "re-
solutions" or declarations" unless they
have done wrong and ought to retraot.
It is we'll that the Observer has pnt in
this proviso. It, of course. knows the
history of the whole matter between the
Northern and Soathern divisions of the
church. It knows that the Northern
Church became largely political in it's
character during end since the war, and
inda'ssd il language 0. strong condem-
nation and in terms even of reproRch of
the Southern Church. Its action was
equivalent to accommodation, md the
Southern Church rests under this ban to
this day. It is trne, that the General
Assembly OF the ohuroh North, lately at
Baltimore, expressed desire and will
ingness to repair the breach in general
terms. But it did not rescind or express
regret for its offensive and unjustifia able,
not to say unchristian, deliverances
against the Preabyterians OF the South.
It is not consistent with the dignity. nor
is it demanded by the Christian charity
OF the latter. that they shall accept the
overtures OF the Presbyterians North, in
their present shape. as satisfactory.
When the wrong done them has been
fully renounoed and abandoned, when
the odious denunoiations have been cor
daily recanted or expunged. they can
consistently meet their brethren OF the
North, and generously forget and for
give. as they hope to be forgiven, the
spirit OF alienation which has unhappily
come between them.
The O5ssroer thinks 1t has evidence
that the Southern people are not in this
matter fully in accord with their lenders.
'tThey are longing" it says, ''to be
again restored to fellowship and inter.
course with their brethren aud fathers,
from whom they have been long-too
long separated. This longing may
possibly exist to some considerable e1-
tent. but we have grave doubts about it.
It can only be in quarters where the real
questions in issue are not appreciated
properly. Granting it, however, it is
not inconsistent with the stern determi-
nation never to submit to injustice and
indignity. which can any day be repaired
and removed, il right spirit should re-
turn to the Northern Church. II just
and necessary reparation, involving no
humiliation. is purposely withheld. it is
equivalent to- the repetition aud renewal
OF the original wrong. It is manifest|y
impossible for tho Southern Church to
get over this still wide and yawning
gulf Of division, .hatii the Northern
Church has securely bridged it. PoIiti
cal reconstrhation has been foisted upon
Us at the point OF the bayonet, and
through the. .agenoyioi 3 corrupt and en-
forced ballot. and other unjustifable
means. 1t might have been better done
by other and milder agencies. But we
have been at the mercy OF unscrupulous
power. It is not so, thank God, in the
church. lIere. at least, it is incumbent
that things shall be done decentiy and
in order; that a basis for the reunion OF
disun;ted branches shall be laid in princi.
pies Of Justice, kindness and mutual for
givencss, and in tenderness to disturbed
and wounded feelings. The Northern
Presby terian Church has only to do
right. extirpate prejudices and animosi-
ties from its heart, and bury them out OF
view, retract the censures it was betrayed
into expressing, during the exoitements
and violence of war, to be met by a
magnanimous and forgiving spirit on
the part of the Southern Presbyternn
Church. Only npon such plano can
they, or will they, meet with honor and
lanting satisfaction.