The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-03-24
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
POLICY OF THE CHURCH.

Is IL 10 BE CONTROLLED BY POLITICAL
INTERESTS OF THE STATE?
In the New York Observer, of the 4tl
inst, there is an article entitled "Springt
of National Life" in which the editor quotes
from the New York Euening Post, as fol-
lows:
The opinion seems to be here, that the
people at the South are more ready than
their leaders to forget some of the unhappy
experiences of the war, and the results Of
these upon the ecclesiastical records, and to
return to the old fellowship. 1t is evident
that all good citizens must rejoice in the
success of all judicious efforts towards re-
constructing the union of the States in this
way by religious influences that are SO near
to the springs of national life.
The editor of the Observer endorses these
sentiments. He says:
"And it is our judgment, the fruit of
close observation and much conference, that
the reunion of the Presbyterian Church
North and South is the most important
measure now remaining unaccomplished to
promote sectional pacifcation and national
union.
And we also believe that all sincere friends
Of national union, are friendly to reunion of
the Churches, and all who are willing to
perpetuate the disunion sentiment, are op-
ppsed to union of the Churches"
I'VE know that the impression has been
made on many minds that the laity of the
Southern Presbyterian Church are more
willing than the ministers to be reunited with
the Northern General Assembly. This,
however, is not true. The people here are
almost universally opposed to any such re-
union. Nor is it true that all the friends of
national union are friendly to reunion of the
Churches. AS far as we can Judge almost
the entire people of the South are friendly
now to national union. They may complain
of the oppression of the general government,
but there are few to be found who do not at
least submit to the union as inevitable, and
who would not sincerely disapproye of any
measures to destroy it. 1t is an error to
suppose that we are opposed to the union
because we wish to maintain the rights of
the States and the rights of the Church.
The opinion of the Observer on this subject
is unfOunded, and the expression of it is
gratuitous and offensive. Because he can
not induce us to conform to his wishes, he is
ready to asperse our motives, and give US a
bad name. Is this generous Is it noble =?
1t is not little surprising after what has
occurred that the religious papers of the
North are unwilling to let sleep the subject
of "a fraternal correspondence" If North.
ern Presbyterians areso anxious for it as
they pretend to be, why do they not accom-
pli8h their purpose by making the amende
honorable? 1t is certainly noble, when men
have injured the rights or persons of others,
to make suitable apology as condition
precedent to reconciliation. The North
ern Assembly seemed to have based its over
ture for correspondence with the Southern
Assembly on the hypothesis that Southern
Presbyterians have repented of their former
opinions and action; and their reconciliation
on the proposed terms would be construed
into confession of their penitence. We
repeat what was said in a former article,
that the Northern Assembly has never dis
claimed, what it had exercised, the right to
interfere by their legislation, in civil affairs,
since it has never recalled its utterances on
that subject. 1t has not destroyed its pre-.
cedents in reference to this matter made
during the war, or it has (what is not to be
believed) destroyed all it's precedents in re-
gard to every matter whatever. 1t has taken
back nothing. Of the Southern Presbyte
riaus we may say in the language of sterr
enemy of tyranny, they have too much
understanding and spirit to accept of an in
direct satisfaction for direct injury. Moth
ing less than repeal as formal as the reso
luton itself can heal the wound that ha
been given to the constitution, nor will any
thing less be accepted" How indelicate i
it then, (not to say how indecent,) in North
ern Presbyterans to agitate this matter an,
farther, except for the purpose of inducin,
this Church to. make the necessary retrac
tions
2. The reason given for the friendly cor
respondence is that it will tend to preserv
the union of the States, and to promote tn
reconstruction of the government. On thi
subject, brethren need not be uneasy. Tn