The true northerner., 1873-03-14
The Pulpit and Fair Dealing.

For the pulpit as distinct power in
society we have the profoundest respect +;
but there is a class of preachers who
merit only contempt. Those wolves in
brOadcloth are tide walters, men who
cringe and skulk until they see which
side popular sentiment espouses, and
then show bold front, especially de-
lighting III defamation of character.
The Credit Mobilier corruption has
afforded these men a rare chance to
show themselves. Every budget of eX-
changes brings us extracts from homi-
lies preached upon thc text found in the
Poland report. Mr.. ColfaX is about
to retire to private life. He had
virtually finished his public career be-
fore this crp0Sc began. Whether he
tells the truth. or Oakes Amos, is II
question that has not been definitely
decided, and probably never will be.
We submit that, III preaching against
corruption in high places, common de
cency would demand that the example
selected for illustration should be Il
proven case of corruption, and there are
several of them. The clergy would be
shocked if they were themselves treated
rs some of their number treat the pol
iticians. Occasionally IA clerical scan
dal comes. Sometimes the sin is proved
past controversy, and sometimes the
charge is left III doubt, as i'll the ColfaX
case. Now, when politicians or the
press discourse of icentiOusness, the
vice of the pulpit. as bribery is of pol
tics, would it be deemed fair to take an
unproven charge as an example Not
he .la II,
moral reputation was perfect, but no
better than that of Mr. Colfax, was nc
cUsed of "A heinous sin. In both cases
the accuser was. confessedlv, guilty of
the ofiense charged against the accused.
In one case there was an investigation.
resulting in no direct proof either way !:
in the other, no investigation one way or
the other. The press is not mean
enough to SO much as intimate belief in
the ministers guilt, while the class of
clergymen referred to join in the parti-
san outcry against the luckless politician
arraigned. We protest against all such
injustice.
George Eliot, in her latest novel ca
book which is all the rage just now,
shows how strongly circumStantial evil
dcnce may condemn man who is really
innocent. One of her characters, DIR.
Lydgate, is man of really spotless
character but circumstances had such
a dark look that it was impossible to
clear away the suspicion, and finally the
Doctor, convinced that he could not
establish his innocence, left Middle
march, although the reader, knowing the
whole truth, clearly sees that the scandal
had no real foundation. Actual life con-
tinually affords instances of the falli-
bility of circumstantial evidence. Let
any one pass in review his own life. and
he will find that he has done things
which were really honorable, but which
if known would Justify suspicion and
defy explanation.
There is Il certain selfish tendency in
human nature to poupce upon pros
trate, bleeding form and rend it further
The same insensate mob which cried
"hosannas one day, cried "crucify
him the next. 1t will always be so to
the end of time, but it is none the less
despicable, especially i'll the profession
charged with the ministry of truth. We
do not beseech their charity we only
demand them from justice. Chicagc
journal.