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SOLDIERS’ UNION CONVENTION,
A Thousand Brnve Heroes In Council
Immense and Enthusiastic Catherine.
President Johnson’s Polloy Endorsed.
ConercH. severely Rcbukcl.
The Veterans Moving for Clynier.
The Pittsburg Convention n Fmml on
the Soldiers!
The Hero of Snfckersvlllc Bcpndlnted.
The Boy* In Bine Still Fight lor the
AH Purl* of the State Fully Represented
The Sentiment of the Soldiers Through
out Pennsylvania Bitterly Hon
tile to the Radicals.
11. IV. Slocum—
I,cttcr from General
Speeches, Resolutions, Ac
Never was anything in thu shape of a
political movement a grander or more com
plete success than the Soldiers’ Union Con
vention which assembled in the State Capi
tol yesterduy. Nearly a thousand delegates
were present, runking from Brigadier Gen
eral down to private, to speak as the repre
sentatives of the great body ot thu soldiers
of Pennsylvania. It was a grand and
spontaneous uprising of the men who so
nobly did battle for the Union. As they
rallied without hope of reward or expecta
tion of bounty, in the first year of the war,
to 'lntend the flag when an insolent foe in
sulted it, so did they come up in their
majesty and their might to repudiate the
work of a set of rudieal shoulderistrftppod
ex-oillcials who presumed to say that they
spoke for the soldiers of tho Keystone Slate
in tho Convention which assembled at Pitts
burg on thu slh of June lust, livery county
in the Commonwealth was represented by
men who served their time in the armies ol
the Union as volunteer soldiers. A conven
tion of such magnitude was never convened
In this Slate. (Mir ordinary political coti voli
tions aro'eornposed of 133 delegates, and*a
full con vetilion oft hut hlzo Is considered dilll
on 11 to secure. I lore was a (ton vent ion more
than six timeH as large assembled on very
short notice, representing not only every
Legislative district, hut every county in the
Stale.
Tho afternoon trains of Tuesday brought
.large numbers of delegate's, but it was not
until after night that thegreal bulk ot them
arrived. At throw o'clock In the morning
tho representatives of the Soldiers' and
Sailors’ Association of Philadelphia, over
800 strong, accompanied by Beck's cele
brated brass band, arrived, and marched
through the main sired to the music ol our
National airs.
It was evident to every man who looked
Into the streets on Wednesday morning
that Hie Soldiers’ Union Convention was a
grand and period success—a most, magnifi
cent and impressive demonstration, Ac
companying the thousand delegates had
come many of their old comrades, and the
number of soldiers present can not be
rated at less than three thousand.
WHO WERE DKLEOATKS.
Many remarkable incidents might have
been gleaned In regard to this Convention
by proper search. A lew which fell under
our casual observation are worthy of
notice.
Beaver county sent a delegation of twelve
men. Of these »iiac were irnnndrtl ,y nftltcrs
who had always voted against the Demo
cratic party heretofore. They, bravo fol
lows, had gone forth to tight for the Union,
ami they vowed they neither could nor
won hi suppoi t a political organ l /.at lon which
was endeavoring to render of no avail the
Hiierlllces which they had voluntarily made.
Among the delegates from Somerset
county were l), 11. Lewis, adjutant ofSur
veyor (limcral UumpbcU's regiment, the
Mill, and Lieut. J. Lepley, both of (hum
strong Republicans until recently.
Among the strong delegation fiom Cum
bria county was Captain John Humphreys,
as brave a soldier ns cun be found any
where. Captain Humphreys served his
country throughout tho Mexican war, and
for three full years during thu rebellion.
When tieary was made Lieut. Colonel at
Pittsburg, on tho way to tho seat of wur in
Mexico, John Humphreys was made enp
tuin of his company, and commanded it
throughout thu entire war, and atthubattle
ot Clmpultopec. The Captain gives a graphic
description of the extru-Zi/bi/y-ordinary, po
sition of (ioaiy during that tight.
Luwreneo county, black as it is, only sent
a single delegato to the Pittsburg Radical
Convention, and ho hud been lying about
Harrisburg during almost the mtiru war,
Sho sent a full delegation of nine to this
Convention, all of whom had served
four years or more in tho field.
Beck’s Brass Band, which accompanied
the Philadelphia delegation, is largely com
posed of j-he original members of Geary’s
regimental band, and these men, who were
under him until ho was made a Brigadier,
nro unanimously and enthusiastically for
Clymor.
There wero many soldiers present who
had served under Gunry, not a few of whom
had heretofore been Republicans.
These instances, a few out of many which
might havo been gathered, will serve to
show thu kind of men who mudo up this
hugo Convention of Union Soldiers, and
may give tho Radicals some indication of
the manner in which Pennsylvania veterans
will vole at the coming election.
The warm greetings of the returned vet-
orans as they met after long separation was
touching to behold. The friendships formed
in camp, the ties closely knit on the buttle-
Held, the fellowships cemcuted by blood,
are necessarily strong, and must prove as
lasting as life itself. How genuine were
tho bonds which united Ihcso men could be
told by him who saw them meet and greet
each other at this great convention of the
Union soldiers of Pennsylvania,
ASSEMBLING OF Till'; CONVENTION
Long before tbehourtixedforthemeeling \
of the Convention the Hall oi the House <
was well filled. About 94 o'clock Heck's (
splendid band entered, accompanying the
Philadelphia delegation, and before the :
hour of Id had arrived every seat and every .
spot of standing room on tho floor was ap
propriated by the delegates, while the lob
bies were tilled with their comrades who
hud come from tho remotest corners of tho
State to witnosß tho proceedings. Not ouo
half tho soldiers present wore able even to
get within hearing of tho Convention. All
day long the rotunda, tho steps of the cupi*
tol and the windows were blocked up bj'
.uii engor crowd of bronzed and stalwart
vuterans who wore tho true air and bore
tho gait of military men. From time- to
time tho loud cheers of those who woro so
fortunate as to get iusido would bo taken
up and re-echoed by thoso without. The
cheering showed training. It was more
regular and more impressive than unything
wo ever heard at a political gathering be
foro. The same kind of cheering which
greeted a victory over tho rebels, now an-
the readiness of tho Union soldiers
to Join buttle with Northorn Disunlonlsts.
Tho appoaranco of this Convention was
very romarkablo. Hero and there a face
woll known to tho political world was to
bo soon. Indeed quito a numborofleadlng
Democratic politicians woro hero by right
of having sorvod honorably In high posi
tions during the war; but tho majority
were now and comparatively young faces.
Ho who looked on tho vust throng must
kavo boon deeply struck with tbo great
preponderance of fine, manly, physical
forms and bronzed and bearded faces.
These were the men of action, rather than
of study. Yet there wasabundant evidence
of earnest thought and of well trained in
tellect in the countenances which made up
the sea of faces assembled. The proceed
ings, the speeches and whole conduct of the
lancastcr Jtateliigm M,
VOLUME 67.
Convention showed that a high order of
intelligence prevailed among its members.
OLD BERKS.
Just before the Convention was called to
order the delegation from “Old Berks” en
tered the hall. They were preceeded by
the Ringgold brass Band and bore a ban
ner on which was inscribed “Old Berks,’
8.000 for Clymer. Cheer after cheer, such
cheers as only Union soldiers can give,
greeted them. To add to the intensity of
the excitement, Becks’ Band struck up a
medley of the tunes so familiar to the "boys
in blue.” As they played “Hail Columbia,”
“The Stur Spangled Banner,” “Lincoln
Soldiers Come,” “Hurrah! Hurrah!”
“Marching Along” and “Tho Union l*or
ever,” round after round of upplause greet
ed tho appropriate performance.
•ORGANIZATION OF THE CONVENTION.
At 10 o’clock Gen. W. W. H. Davis rose
to call the Convention to order. A hearty
round of “three and a tiger” greeted him
as he ascended the stand. The General said
“ The hour appointed having arrived, I
now cull this Convention to order; but be
fore proceeding to business I would call the
attention of the members of tho Convention
to the fact that I see in the crowd before
me quite a number of one-legged soldiers
standing.”
Cries of “Here’s a chair” resounded
throughout the hull, and a hundred were
oll'ered at once. Inn few brief and appro
priate remarks General Davis congratulated
bis fellow-soldiers on thegreut promptitudo
with which they hud* responded to this
second call of their country, and on tho
magnitude and imposing character of tho
assemblage.
General Jacob B. Sweit/.er was elected
temporary Chairman, and was received
with tho wildest cheers by the assembled
multitude of roturnud veteran soldiers.
SJ’KEI.’H OK GENERAL NWJiITZKK.
General Sweitzur, upon taking thu chair,
spoke as follows:
Fellow-Soldiers: I thank you heartily
for the unexpected honor you huvo confer
red upon me in selecting mo to preside for
a Line over tills highly respectable assem
blage. I shall not attempt to detain you
by a speech. As has been stated by the
Chairmen, this roonm is 100 small to hold
this immense crowd with comfort onsucha
day as Lhis, and it is but proper llml 1
should detain you hero as short a time as
possible, or prevent you from gulling to a
locality in which you can perforin your
dutius'with more physical comfort.
Fellow-soldiers, thu objects for which we
have assembled here are well understood.
They are set forth clearly, plainly, and
honestly in the call hero for tiiis meeting,
No man who is here now can say with truth
(hat lie has been entrapped or deceived or
been overpowered by the voice of a
packed Convention. Fellow-soldiers, we
come hero as men who have served our
country in the Held, and us such, assem
bled in a deliberative body, wo would scorn
to be guilty of a dishonest act, Isthereuny
man hero who does not agree with the sen
timents and purposes to promote which this
Convention has been called? if there bo
any such ho has come here willingly, and
not under any misapprehension. With
these remarks’, I will lake my seat and we
will proceed to organize. [Loud cries of
" goon,” “speech,” etc,] Well, now, iny
Iriends, I have not been in the habit of ma
king long speeches, but have always un
deuvoreuto lie as short and as near to the
point as I could, I may say, however, that
we have very important duties to perform
here—duties* - as important, my friends, as
those we performed in the Held. Wo have
stricken their arms from tho hands of tho
enemies of our country in tho Held, and
now wo have to strike clown the enemies of
our country at home. (Great appluuso.) I
doubt not tbal you will work as heartily
for the* latter object as you did to accom
plish the former! Why, my friends, they
even attempted to brow beat us out of
bolding this Convention. (Let them try
it.”J They proclaimed in advance that they
would like to see the men who would have
the hardihood to come hero; that none hut
skulkers, deserters and bounty jumpers
would cornu hero. Now, if the men who I
see before mu aro skulkers, deserters and
bounty Jumpers 1 would llko them to pro
duce their soldiers. 1 see a goodly number
,of war-worn faces around me, and among
you a large delegation from Pittsburg,
every man of whom 1 know has served his
full‘term In the Held honorably and with
credit to himself and Ids country. 1 pro
nounce the assertion of our political op
ponents to bu a falsehood, unworthy of any
set of men. They tell us we have no Major
(ienerals or Brigadier < ieneruls to support
our cause. Do we not know that every
man who refused to fall in with their ex
treme notions was ostracised, and couldnot
gut a commission, oven though ho himself
should have taken Richmond? But, follow
soldiers, 1 have already spoken longer than
I intended.
ThuHpeakerresuinod the chair amid long
continued rounds of applause.
The business of temporary organization
was then proceeded with, and resulted in
the following appointments as temporary
secretaries: Captain Jeremiah J. Sullivan,
llijth Regiment ; Arthur C. Greenland,
•Will Regiment; Lieut. John Hartman,
llfUh Regiment; Sergeant-Major Israel C.
Becker, 4th I’onna. Reserves; Adjutant
Israel Uncufer, 11th Regiment. The gen
tlemen named were designated by acclama
tion.
The list of Representative districts was
then called over, and every county in tbo
.state was found to be represented.
On motion of Cupt. C. B. Brockway, tho
following eouimitteo of thirteen was ap
pointed by tho Chair to report permanent
oillcers for tho Convention:
Committee on Organisation.— Cnpt, (\ H.
Krockway, Ist Pa. Artillery; Capt. C. I).
Roush, Gthßes.; Capt. .1. W. AUl,2olst Pa.;
Muj. 11. M. Moody, 183 d Pa.; Col. Owen
.Jones, 101st Pa. Ouv.; Sergt. F. L. Cour,
104th Pa.; T)r. James Kerr, of Pittsburg;
U. F. Kldred, 11th N. V. Caw; Private J.
W, Conrad, 3d U. S. Art.; Corp. J. A.
Haines, 150th Pa.; Capt. Milton Goundie,
2d Heavy Art.; Adjt. J. H. Odell, 30th
Ohio; Col. James .Jack, 108th Pa.
On motion of General Davis tho Conven
tion then took a recess of halfym hour.
At*,l2 o'clock M., the Convention re-as
semfclod. Tho following were reported
from the Committee as permanent oillcers
ot the Convention:
I'ennnnrnt Chairman —Oen. Win. Me-
Candles.
FiVc Presidents.—Oou. Peter Lyle, With
Pa.; Col. W. A. Leech, 90th Pa.; General
John F. Bnlllor, 98th Pa.; Col. A. H. Tip
>in, (ISth Pa.; Capt. J. M. C. Savage, Hath
hi.; Private John Wagner, Hath Pa.; Pri
vate Daniel Kreader, 104th Pa.; Col. T. H.
Hood, 47th Pa.; Col. John O’Neal, 3d Res.;
Sergt, George Bierman, 9th Pa.; C'apt. li.
O. Thayer, 07th Pa.; Col./11. B. McKean,
(ith Res.; Capt. John w. Gregory, 173 d
N. Y.; Major Charles Ryan, 130 tn Pa.; Col.
S. Wilson, Bth Cuv.; Private H. White
man, 11th Cav.; Private Joseph A. Stoter,
•Joist Pa.; Lieut. John A. Bitzer, 127th Pa.;
Corp. J. H. Hcgener, 122 d; Colonel Levi
Marsh, 130th Pa.; Capt. Adam Furgeson,
Ist Pa, Art.; Capt. John H. Hite, 54th Pa.;
Prlv. (i. W. Dalsv; Col. B. M Morrow, 205th;
Sergi. A. l>. McPherson, 105th; Capt. David
Bunker, 78th ; Adjt. Israel Unoapher, 11th
Vols.; Muj. j, a. Lowry; Col. Robert
Anderson, mu Res.; Capt.' P. A. English,
17th Cav.; Sergt. s K. McGinnis, Ist Ph.
Light Art.; Col. Jno, s. McCulmunt, 10th
Res.
Secretaries.— Col. Jno. p. Linton,s4th Pn.;
Corp. G. McKinney; c u pt. Jno. Hart, 08th
Pa. ; Capt, J. I’. N'ewall, 30th Iowa;
Lieut. J. Lynn. 12tnh p ft| . Lieut. A. J.
Smith, 11th Pa Cav.; Capt. C. F. Maguire,
90th Vol.; Lieut. Win. Fullwood, 102 d Pa.;
Surgeon Abram Stout, 153 d; n r , William
Church, 57th; Capt. John A. Corcorun,
104th; Col. B. McDermott, 54th; Captain
Jeremiah Hoffman, 142 d.
HI’EKUII OF GEN. M’CANDLEKs,
General M'Candless was introduced to
tho body by General Sweitzor, In the fol
ing words: Fellow-Soldiors: It Is not
necessary for mo to introduce your perma
nent Chairman, as you all seem to know
him, but I bug leavo to say that bo is as
gallunt a soldier as over drow a sword,
Thu Chairman oloct (Gonoral M’Cand
loss,) then said: Surviving Comrndos—for
I thluk thut U the bettor term—l shall
deem It g high honor to tho lust day of my
life that I hud tho honor to prosluo over a
convention of oillcers and men who have
battled for tho life of their country (ap
plause), and that, too, under circumstances
adverse as they have been for years); cir
cumstances which have placed you com
rades, and myself, in a measure antagonistic
to the political power of the Congress of our
country. It is well that weahould consider
our position with all the care and attention
that would be necessary in the preparation
for a great battle in the field: because, in
the field, where the battle was gained’ by
the strong arm, we. had brave hearts and
willing hands; but now we have to fight
the battle over again in our quiet homes,
and the insidious politicians who waged <
war upon you while you battled for your
country to keep themselves in their places,
are wily and rich, and will endeavor to .
defeat by their cunning machinations, that
object which we achieved by our blood and
the treasures of the country. (Great ap- i
plause). (
Referring to the proud position of Penn
sylvania as the Keystone of the Federal {
arch, the speaker remarked that it had been 1
truly said that, as Pennsylvania goes so
goes the Union, and it became the duty of (
those whom he saw before him to attack the
political enemies of their cause with the '
same vim they had shown in attacking the i
enemies of the country in the field, in order
that Pennsylvania m'gbt maintain her
proud position in this great galaxy of States,
lie theu incidentally stated the reasons for
the assembling of this Soldier’s Convention. <
Some of their former comrades in arms,
uguinst whom he would utter no word ol
disrespect, had beeu, as lie believed misled,
and as a consequence of that had held a
convention at Pittsburg, in which they pub
licly proposed to stale broadly and distinctly
the sentiments that govern the soldiers of
Pennsylvania. While fully appreciating
their duty to their comrades, the members
of tho Convention had felt compelled, in
self-defence, to call a meeting antagonistic
in its objects to that held at Pittsburg, and
to filler their earnest protest against the
adoption of principles that were inimical to
the success of the cause for which they took
up arms. Tnis'Convenlion, therefore, hud
come together for the purpose of repudia
ting the Pittsburg Convention, and laying
down a lino of policy consistent with thu
maintenance of the Union of these States
; and the Constitution of the country, and
which would vindicate thu original policy
under which those present hud gone to war.
The speaker suid that comparisons were
ulwuys odious, and he did not desire to
compare this Convention with that which
met ut Pittsburg. The lists of delegates
here would be printed to thu world, and
those who sent them forth now invito every
scrutiny into their personal character or
their military honors won in tho Held. In
thu records of tho War Department—the
only place, perhaps, where mutilation did
not deprive men of their just duos —there it
would bo seen that tho men hero to-day
were those who went first and foremost to
defend the liberties of their country, with
out extra bounty and reward. (Applause.)
He continued : We aro here then, for the
purpose of maintaining thu position tlmt
wo adopted when we bucuinu soldiers of
this great Union. We are now, as we were
then, unalterably opposed to the doctrine
of secession, or tho poweror right ol u Stale
to go out of this Union upon its own mo
tion or by its own uct. But we are oquully
opposed to that policy which would keep
Slates out of thu Union, when they ask in
good faith to be permitted to return to
their allegiance. (Grout applause.) We
stand or fall upon tlmt position, and, in
thu language of a great soldier, “Wo will
tight it out on that line, If it takes all sum
mer.” You, my comrades, know as well
as I do, how clear and distinct was the
policy of the present Radical parly in the
Congress of tho United States when we
were called upon to defend tho liberties of
our country. Need I ruler to tho Joint reso
lution passed in their respective bodies, in
which they avowed tlmt this war was not
prosecuted for uny other purpose (taking it
all in one sentence) than for tho mainte
nance of the Union and thu vindication of
tho honor of tho Hag. How clear that is.
Tho only wonder to my mind Is that any
man who entered the service under that
call, and battled for tho liberties of his
country, nm now advocate any other prin
ciple than tlmt which was so explicitly
enunciated at that Lime. This purpose, for
which the war was inaugurated and carried
on, was also distinctly declared by our late
President. Mr. Lincoln: he laid down
broadly tho sumo lino of policy. But, oh!
my comrados, you know how they deserted
tho cause lb? which wo were enlisted, and
in whut a position they placed you and mo
and every soldier whose dearest sentiment
was the welfaro of his country, when they
(‘hanged their huso upon the line of opera
lion on which we had entered. I venture
to say to you to-day, tlmt there is notan
unprejudiced, fair-minded lawyer in the
Stale of Pennsylvania who will not say tlmt
tho Congress of the United Stales, in chang
ing front upon tho resolution of IMOI, may
for HUlllciont roasons, bo indicted by
ntiy grand jury in the laud—not a “packed ’
jury, either, as Underwood would have It.
They tire guilty first, of false pre
tense, and secondly, of high-handed crime
—crime which will cause tho blood of our
slaughtered comrades to rise In vengeance
until this generation—uyu, and the next,
shall have passed away.
Tho speaker proceodod In this strain to
enumerate specific Instances of faithlessness
to the soldier In the legislative department
of the government, bv which, ho charged
tho love of political domination and per
sonal ambition Inultnkun the place of u wise
governmental policy. In tins connection
ho introduced the name of General McClel
lan, which was received with enthusiast ic
cheers, repeutod again and again, by tho
entire assemblage. That soldier, whon
called to tho command of tho armies of tho
United States, was selected for his wisdom
in tho council as well as his experience in
military affairs. lie sought to carry on
tho war ns a moans ot maintaining the
Union, and vindicating tho integrity of the
Constitution and the laws, thus following
merely the straighttorward polity laid down
by tho Congress of tho United States and
tho President, for tho conduct of a war,
gigantic in its proportions, and on the re
sult of which depended the cause of consti
tutional liberty, not only in our great Union,
but throughout tho entire world.
When on tho Peninsula, tho speaker had
tho honor to be connected with, and for a
geriodofono year to command the old
’ennsylvania Reserves.
1 He charged upon tho Secretary of War
the responsibility of withholding from tho
j support of tho Army of tho Potomac tho
whole force under General McDowell, which
if it had been allowed to join the Army of
1 the Potomac at tho timo of tho seven days’
battles, would havo enabled that army to
crush all opposition, to change a defensive
’ Into an offensive campaign, and to enter
! victorious into tho City ot Richmond. But
[ it did not suit the purposes of certain powers
that ruled to end tho war thus speedily, and
! the result was known to the nation. Tho
’ blood of ovorn man slaughtered during
* those seven days of sanguinary conflict,
cried aloud from tho earth uguinst the policy
[ of the Radicals in this country. However,
notwithstanding tho injustice previously
done him, McClellan at a subsequent period
of tho war promptly answered tho call of
thu government, and under his lead tho old
- Army of tho Potomac, crippled with dis
\ asters, again met tho flower of the South
ut Antietain, and rescued the country from
destruction.
Referring lo tho various issues of tbo day
tho speak.said that those with whom ho
associated politically, did not propose to at
tack tho African or any other race that
would assist to maintain tho intogt ity of
tho country, 110 was williug to leave the
negro where the Constitution of the country
and the Constitution of Pennsylvania plucod
him. In answer to tbo sneer of tho other
side, thnt though there were many in the
army entertaining the sentiments which the
speaker expressed, none of them had ever
attained a high position, he remarked that
had such men proven themselves as brave
as Julius Cicsar, and as able in strategy ns
the first Napoleon, and yet refused to bow
11 10 knee to the black idol of abolitionism,
no bright star would over adorn their
shoulders.
Tho remarks of tho speaker woro fre
quently interrupted with applause, and
upon tho conclusion of tho speech, which
was entirely oxtemporunoous, the conven
tion evinced its appreciation by hearty
cheers.
On motion, tho following soldiers from
tho different Senatorial districts of tho State
woro appointed a Committee on Resolu
tions :
General W. W. IT. Davis, Chairman.
I*/ District— Col. W. D. Lowis, 110th.
2d District —Sergt. A. C. Scbank, 100th.
3r/ District— Privnto Sami. Cloak, 72d.
\th District— Lieut. C. Kuenss, Bth cav.
5/A District— Adj. C. L. Lyon, 20th cav
alry; Harry Coward, Mast. U. S. N.
0/A District— Capt. L. Swarzberger, 104tli.
7/A District— Private W. H. Sowdcn, 128th.
8/A District—Dr. H. M. Nagle, 11th.
9/A District— Lieut. James Ellis, 48th.
10/A District— Sorgt. P. T\ Kllldeer, IstU.
S, Dragoons.
11/A District— Capt. I\ M. Burr, 52d.
12/A District— Liuut, S, D. Dean, 01st.
13/A District— Lt. Col. C. A. Winn, 58th.
J4/A District— Lieut. A. B. Tate, 130th.
15/A District— Gou. W. li. Ent.
‘kA District—Col. E. L. Witman, 210th.
•JJ th /^ rici ~L.ieut. Col. Fred. S. Pyfor,
’l°bn Wise, oth cavalry.
18/A District— Capt. Win. Peun Lloyd, Ist
cavalry..
10/A District— Sergt. A. Torgotoff, Signal
Corps.
20/A District— Capt. Thos. H. Lyous, 22d
cavalry.
21s/ District— Gon. J. A. Mathews. Major
R. B. Petriken. J
22 d District —Capt. L. S. Cantnell, Bth Res.
23d District— Capt. J. s. McKeeman, 62d.
24/A District —Major E, L. Keenan.
25/A District —Lt. J. A, Dunlang, Knapp’s
Battery; Private Christian Miller, 9th.
26/A District- Corp. Thos, Ciarjt, 104th
LANCASTER, PA., WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST, 8, 1866.
27 th District —Capt. W. M’Lelland, latar.
28*A District— Col. J. B. M’Allister, 17th
cavalry.
29 th District— Lieut. Col. W. O. Celt, 83d.
On motion of Capt. A. J. Crissman, 84th
Pa., a committee was appointed to wait on
Hiester Clymer and ask him to address the
Convention. The announcement that Mr.
Clymer was in town was the signal for
cheer after cheer for our gallant and popu
lar candidate.
Major KeeDan, of Westmoreland offered
a resolution providing for the appointment
of delegates from this Convention to that of
the 14tb. After some discussion the matter
was referred to the Committee on Resolu-
The Convention then adjourned until 3
o'clock, resolving to meet in the Capitol
grounds.
THIRD SESSION,
The body re-assembled at 3 o’clock in the
hall of the House. Colonel J. S. MoCal
mont, Tenth Reserves, look the chair, and
stated that he had been deputed by the Pres
ident of the Convention to act in his stead
until his arrival. In tho course of Mime re
marks, he stated that ho had been informed
that the flag which had been waving ove r
ic Capitol during tho morning had been
loworod. If such was the ease, and the act
wus intentional, it would not become the
Convention to remain longer in the Capitol.
Thoy had not re-convened in the Capitol
grounds, as was proposed, in consequence
of the intense heat of the sun, and the in
sufficiency of accommodations, but if there
was any truth in the report, thuy would re
assemble there immediately.
John H. Brimmer, of thu Harrisburg
Patriot and Union , explained to the satis-
faction of tho Convention that the national
colors had not been raised upon tho dome
since the 4th of J uly, as it was not customary
hoist thu Hag except on that day and
during the sessions of the Legislature.
On motion, a committee was then appoint
ed to procure a flag and raise it above the
capilol, and after some time the committee
reported, having discharged the duly
unsigned them.
While the Convention was wailing for
tho committee on resolutions to report,
short addresses were delivered hv Colonel
Levi Marsh, of York, Hon. Win. 11. Miller,
of Harrisburg, Cuptain C. B. Brockway
and Colonel J. S. McAlniant.
CAPTAIN BROCKWAY’S SPEECH,
Captain Brockway is well known to tho
Democracy of Pennsylvania through his
speech made last fall at tho Grout Knob
Mountain Meeting. Il was decidedly the
speech of the campaign, and was published
by almost every Democratic newspaper in
tho State. Captain Brackway was greeted
with loud cheers when he rose to address
tho Convention.
Ho alluded to tho fact that lie was only to
speak in order to fill up thu timo which
might elapse until thu ComtuiLtoe on Keso-
Lions reported. That might bo within ten
minutes, and he would select no theme on
which to make u speech. He proceeded to
contrast tho Soldiers Union Convention with
tho rudical.afi'air which assembled at Pitts
burg on the fjlh of June. The Convention be
fore him he considered as superior in other
respects as It was larger In numbers.* lie
might, if ho chose to do so, give them a
chapter from tho record of a Court Martial
which would present the churactur of the
man who presided over the Pittsburg Con
vention in the most uneviuble light, when
compared with that of thu President of Lhis
Convention. Ho had the documents with
him. Here loud crios arose demanding tho
reading of tho record alluded to, and Cap
tain Brockway proceeded to read thu fol
lowing General Order regarding ihe Presi
dent of the Radical Pittsburg Convention:
GENERAL ORDERS, No. His.
HKA I)I(I’AHTKKH AHMY OF THE I’OTOMAC,')
Camp near Knuxvillk, Md., V
October 24, I*o2. j
I. Before a General Court Martial, of which
Brigadier General W. H. llauooek, Volunteer
Mervlce, 1m President, convened at the Head-
quarters of Uiu 2nd and 12th Corps, at Hunan ‘a
r eriy, by virtue of General Orders, No. 22, Im
sued by command of Major General hiunnor,
('.(minmiutlng said 2nd and 12th Corps, under
date of Uo’uDer 7th, I*ll2, was arralHUed and
tried Colonel Joshua T, tjwcn, (IHlh Kuulimmt
Pennsylvania Volunteers, on the folToWlny
charges and specifications:
UiiAhoK Ist.— M Vlo ailou of iho /loth Article
of War.”
A iiccljlcntlon—" In lain; Hint. Colonel ./. T,
Oimt, tiUlh Pennsylvania Volunteers, at or
near Hollvnr Heights, Virginia, on or about
thu -llh of Uulubur, ISU2, left his Regiment,
which Imd been dotal led for Hie picket guard,
so that the Regiment proouodod lo lln post umi
performed iu tour ol duty without him.”
L'Hahok 2nd.—" t’ouduet prejudicial to good
order mid military discipline.”
HjicelJlrnUon— “ in tills; that Colonel J. T.
Dicea, until Pennsylvania volunteers was much
under tno lullnenco of liquor on or about the
afiernoou or evening of the llh of October,
IS(J2, at or near Harper,s Ferry, Virginia, and
very abusive of his Lieutenant Colonel, lam
nls O’Kaue, cursing and calling him names.''
L'itAU(iKdai).—” Conduct unbecoming iiu olll
cor and gentleman.''
&]>ccij)c.atiun— " Jn this; that. Colonel .7. T.
Owen. (iliui Pennsylvania Volunteers, did call
his Lieutenant Colonel, DeunlsO'Kane, a ‘ son
of a filch,’ m tho presence of his daughter,
Miss O’Kaue; that he made improper aud of
fensive requests ot the youDg lady and her
father; for example, Insisting that the young
lady snould sleep in ids tent. All tills at or
near Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, on or about the
4th of October, lS(j2.”
To widen charges and specifications the ac
cused pleaded as follows:
To the &pccijlcation ot Ist Charge. “Nol
Guilty.”
To the Ist Charge, “ Not Guilty.”
To the itpccijlailiun of 2nd Charge, *‘ Nol
Guilty.”
To the 2nd Charge, “Not Guilty.”
To the tipccificatitjii of 3rd Charge, “Not
Guilty.”
To the 3rd Ciiahce, “Not Guilty.”
Alter mulu e deliberation on the evidence
adduced, the Court found the accused as fol
lows :
Of the Specification, Ist Charge, " Guilty
Of the l«t LjiAR(JK, " Guilty."
Of the Specification, 2nd Charge,
Of the 2nd Charge, " Gull'y."
Of the Specification, 3d Charge, “Not Guilty
Of tue 3rd Charge, “ No* Guilty."
And tho Court does therefore seutouce him,
the Bald Joshua T. Owen, Colonel of the (JlJth
leniihvivania Volunteers, “To bo dismissed
h’oih the service of the United states."
•Ihe finding and senieuce of the Court are
fully supported by the testimony, and ure ap
proved by tho Major Geuernl Commanding.
It appears that, ou the -ilh of October, 18(11
the Regiment of the accused was encamperl
near Harper’s Ferry ; that the forenoon or tho
day was passed by tho accused at the Head
quarters of his Brigade, In attendance upon a
Court of Inquiry on the question of rauk be
tween blrDHelfandanothororncer; that he was
then very much Intoxicated ; that at half past
twelve o clock he left the Headquarters to get
his dinner, the accused claiming lo have re
ceived a general perrnlssiou from hi* Com
mand n-t Officer lo dine at a house near the
camp; that, instead of returning to his Regi
ment, he was found late In tho afteruoon, in
the streets of Harper’s Ferry, very drunk, and
eugaged In a scandalous quarrel and collision
with the Lieutenant Colonel of his own Regi
ment, by whom he was pulled from his horse
and thrown violently upon the ground ; that
after dark he was arrested oy the Provost Guard
for being; absent lrom his camp without a per
mit, and was held in custody until nextmorn
lug. In the meantime, at three o'clock P. M.,
his Regiment had been ordered and had pro
ceeded upon n tour of picket duty.
No comment of the General Commanding
can a d any lorce to the above recital of Jacts.
By Command of Major General McClellan :
a. WILLIAMS, A. A. G.
The reading of tho record of tho court
murtiul elicited the wildest shouts and the
most uproarious laughter. When he had
concluded the reading, Captain Brockwny
said:
“ If any Radical doubts tho authenticity
of the document I have read he cun got a
certified copy oi the original by sending to
Ed. Stanton, Secretary of War.”
Captain Brockway proceeded to speak
for some twenty minutes, his remarks
eliciting tho utmost enthusiasm.
The Committee on Resolutions, through
their chairman, General Davis, then report
ed the following series. They were received
with applause and unanimously adopted:
RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, The Convention, managed
and controlled by politicians, which as
sembled In Pittsburg on the oth of June
lust, pledged the ofilcers, soldiers and sea
men of Pennsylvania to the support of tho
radical disunion measures of Congress, and
as opposed to the just and constitutional
restoration policy of President Johnson 1
And whereas. Tho members of tho said
Convention falsely styled themselves tho
‘‘Representatives of tho soldiers and sailors
of Pennsylvania,” aud prosumod to speak
for them without authority;
And whereas , The proceedings of ihosald
Convention misrepresent tho true senti
ments of the great mass of the returnedaol
diers and sailors of this State and do great
injustice lo the late defenders of the Consti
tution and Union; therefore, be it
1. Resolved , That we, authorized repre
sentatives of our late companions in arms,
do repudiate the* proceedings of the Pitts
burg convention of the sth of June because
they do not represent the true sentiments of
the officers, soldiers and seamen of Pennsyl
vania.
2. Resolved, That we hold the same be
lief now that we did when we took up arms
in 1861, that the war was “a war for the
Union,” and for no other purpose; that the
agreement we made with the Government
when we took up arms to defendfier against
armed rebellion is found in the joint reso
lution of Congress adopted July 22d, 1861,
which declares that “This war is not pro
secuted on our part in any spirit of oppres
sion, nor for any purpose of conquest or
subjugation, but to defend and maintain
the supremacy of the Constitution and to
preserve the Union, with all the dignity,
equality, and rights of the several States
unimpaired.” This is the bond many seal
ed with their lives, and many others signed
in blood.
3. Resolved, That the fuilure of Congress
to carry into effectthisjoint resolution,after
the war is over, and to restore the Union,
“with all the dignity , equality and rights of
the several Stutes unimpaired is a gross
violation of a solemn compact made with
the defenders of the Government at her time
of greatest need and peril.
4. Resolved , That we repudiate the action
of tho radical Congress, which is an insult
to every officer, soldier and seamen who
served in tho Federal army during the re
bellion. Her policy admits that oun vic
tories accomplished what the enemy could
not—divide tne Union—and the fruits of
our toil and blood-bought victories turn to
ashes iu their hands.
5. Resolved, That we cordially endorso
the restoration policy of President John
son, us announced in his annual, special
and veto messages, and as further made
known to the country in his treatment of
the Stales lately in rebellion. We believe
it to be just und humane, and better adapt
ed than any other known policy, to restore
those States to their constitutional relations
to the Union, and bring renewed peace,
happiness and prosperity to the country.
Il Is in keeping with that generous treat
ment which a magnanimous victor always
extends to a bravo foe.
0. Resolved, That the action of Congress
in refusing seats to the Senators and Mem •
hers from the youth who bear true alle
giance to the Constitution and laws, while
thut body is engaged in chunging the fun
damental law of the country in an im
portant particular, Is revolutionary in its
action; while their conduct in taxing the
South without her consent, strikes at the
vital principle of constitutional liberty—
that there can bu no taxation wllhoutrepre
sentation.
7. Resolved, That we nro opposed to ne
gro suffrage. All legislation that has for
its object the raising of the negro to a social
or political equality with tho white man, or
lo make him the pet of tin* nation, meets
our unqualified disapproval. He and his
friends should be satisfied tlmt the war Ims
given his race tho boon of freedom and
should not aim lo control the dostlniusof tho
country.
H. Resolved , Tlmt we return thunks to
Almighty God for giving victory to the
Federal armies over armed insurgents, and
we cmigraiulato the country upon a return
of peace. It is as much our duty now to use
our best endeavors to heal up tho wounds
of tho rebellion as it was to take up nrms in
defence ot the Union.
li. Resolved , Tlmt we deny thul John W,
leary is the soldiers’ candidate for Govur
or of Pennsylvania. He is tho choice of
the Radicals ’who are now plotting to de
stroy tho Union we periled our lives to piu-
Mcrve. The men who placed him In nomi
nation, and who aro now his most active
supporters, repudiate tho object of tho wur
by declaring the South out of the Union.
By accepting their nomination lie assumes
their principles, which violates everything
ho professed to contend for in tho field.
in. Resolved , Thut we endorse thu nomi
nation of Hon. Hiester Clymer, Democratic
candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania,
because he Is a man of integrity, and a
statesman of experience, und approves tho
principles wo udvocate. We call upon our
late companions in arms in this Sluto to
rally to his support, for his election will be
an endorsement of tho cause ior which wo
foiurht ami bled, while his defeat will be a
defeat to the cause of the Union,
11. Resolved, That tho Radicals ill Con
gress, professing to speak for the majority
oflhe people, have recently testified their
reference fur the negro by appropriating
ionics to support him in. idleness, by tho
ayrnent to him of a bounty of throe hun-
dred dollars, and their repudiation of the
white soldier and his claims, by thu pas
sage of a bounty bill allowing but one
hundred dollars tohim, withouluvun a pro
vision appropriating money lor the payment
of tho same, thus disregarding his faithful
and patriotic services, demonstrates to the
country their belief In the assertion that
“ the negro bears tho palm.”
12. Resolved That we, tho soldiers of
Pennsylvania, in Convention assembled, do
return our sincere thunks to thu Hon.
Charles R. Buekalew and lion. ICdgur
Uowun, our representatives iu the Senate of
tliu United States, for their noble conduct
In sustaining tho President’s policy of res
toration.
LKTTKU FHoM ll KN, 11. W. Nl.Od’M,
The following lulmlmblu lullor from (ion,
11. W. Slocum, Uuury's eoummndur, wan
received ami read :
Hhooklyn, N. V., July ’J7, lsiJii.
c\)i. ir. ir. u. jintH.l.
Dkah Kiu: 1 have the* honor of acknowl
edging tho receipt of vour letter inviting
mo to ho present at tho Soldiers’ Convention
to bo hold at Harrisburg, on tho Ist of Au
gust. J regret that my engagements are
such as to deprive mo of tho pleasure of ac
cepting your invitation.
When the Con fed ora to soldiers, in the
spring of 180"), surrendered their arms and
returned to their homes, wo assumed that
the object of our great work was nearly ac
complished. When we witnessed at that
time the kind feelings manifested by our
otlicers and soldiers towards their lute op-
Eonents, we felt assured that all hatred and
ittorness between the two sections of our
country would eventually cease to exist,
and that slavery, the great cause of our
troubles, having boon removed, we Rhould
soon have a better and more perfect Union
than we have ever before known.
When a few days later the President an
nounced tho terms and conditions upon
which ho was willing to restore to the
Southern people all their former rights and
privileges, and these people cheerfully ac
cepted and complied with each and every
one of his conditions, wo cortninly had rea
: son to look for tho immediate restoration of
tho Union. But in this we have been dis
appointed. There exists at borne an army
which is not actuated by tho feelings which
moved the men composing tho armies of
Grant and Sherman—inon who were ready
to grasp the hands of thoir lute antagonists
us soon as those hands were no longer rais
ed against our government. There exists
among us a political party which, for the
purpose of retaining power, has prevented
tho restoration of tho Union which was to
be the solo object of the war—a party which
would hold a portion of the States In sub
jection, teaching tho rising generation in
both.sections lessons of jealousy and hatred,
instead of seeking to make them forget the
bitter past, and become, as they must be
come, if our Union Is over to be of value,
one people in interest and feeling. This
party, until Congress assembled, indig
nantly denied any intention of postpon
ing the restoration of tho Union, and ap
pealed to tho people for support on the
ground of being the only faithful and relia
ble friends of the President and his policy.
This mask has now been dropped, and tho
issue before the people is clear and unmis
takable. Let those who fought for a resto
ration of the Union now come forward and
vote for it, and our victory is assured.
Very respectfully, etc.,
H. W. Slocum.
When General Davis had finished read
ing tho above letter the crowd, many of
whom bad served under him, involuntarily
burst into cheers for tho gallant writer.
On motion, President was authorized
to appoint a committee of ten, to wait on
President Johnson and to lay before him
the proceedings of tho Convention, with
assurances of the hearty support of tho
Union soldiers of Pennsylvania.
After the transaction of some business of
minor importance the Convention adjourned
to wait on Hon. Hiester Clymer, General
McCandloss ordered the soldiers to “fall in
by sections of fours,” which they did with tho
alacrity of veterans, and marched to tho
Bolton House, where Mr. Clymer was
stopping. General McCandless introduced
him to tho Boldlers as “the next Governor
of Pennsylvania.” Round aftor round of
enthusiastic cheers greeted his appearance,
showing how widely and truly popular he
is with tho Union soldiers of the Keystone
State.
Mr. Clymer, during his speech, was mo
mentarily Interrupted by loud and con
tinued applause.
After he had finished, calls wero made for
Hon. Wm, A. Wallace, who made a most
telling speech.
Thus happily terminated the proceedings
of the largest and enthusiastic Con
vention ever held in Pennsylvania. Surely
no further evidence will be needed to show
how completely the soldiers repudiate the
Radicals and their candidate for Governor,
Senator Manning is among the delegates
from Georgia to the Philadelphia Conven
tion*
Political Preaching.
Jndge Black In Reply to Rev. Alfred
Kevin, D. I>.
A Letter Which Every Man Should Read.
3/y Dear Sir Your letter addressed to
me through the Philadelphia Evening Bul
letin disappoints me; because I did not ex
pect it to come in that way, and because it
does not cover the subject in issue between
us. But if lam silent your friends will say
with some show of reason, that you have
vindicated “ Political Preaching" so trium
phantly that all opposition is confounded.
!; must therefore speak freely in reply. In
doing so, I mean to say nothing inconsis
tent with my great respect for your high
character in the church unil iu the world.
The admirable style and temper of your
own comm unication deserves to be imitated.
I fullv concede the right you claim for
clergymen to select their own themes and
handle them as they please. You say truly,
thut neither lawyers,nor physicians noraiiy
oilier order of meu have tho least authority
to control you iu these particulars. But you
will nol deny that this is a privilege which
may bu abused; you expressly admit that
some clergymen have abused it, "and by
doing so did vwre than any other class of
men to commence and continue the late re
hellion While, therefore, we can assert
no power to dictate your conduct, much
less to force you, we are surely not wrong
when we entreat you to impose upon your
selves those restrictions, which reason and
revelation have shown to be necessary for
the goo 1 of the church and tho sulety of
civil society.
I acknowledge that your commission is a
very broad one. You must “declare tho
whole counsel of God,” to tho end that sin
ners inuv be convinced und converts built
up in thlir most holy faith. Truth, Justice,
temperance, humility, mercy, peuce, broth
erlv kindness, charily—the whole circle
of the Christian virtues—must ho assiduous-
Iv taught to vour hearers; and ff any of
them bo inclined to the opposite vices, you
are to denounce them without foilr, by pri
vate admonition, by open rebuke, or by a
general delivery of the law which condemns
them. You aro not bound to pauso in tho
performance of this duty because It may
offend a powerful ruler or a strong political
partv. Nor should you shrink from it when
bud‘men, for their own purposes, approve
what you do. Elevate tho moral character,
enlighten the darkness, and purify the
hearts of those who aro under your spiritual
charge, at all hazards ; for this Is tho work
which your great Taskmaster has given
von lo do, and lie will admit no excuse for
neglecting it.
But this Is precisely what tho political
preacher is not In the habit of doing. Ho
diTocts the attention ol his hearers away
from their own sins to the sins, real or im
puted, of other people. By touching Ids
congregation that thoy are bettor than
other inon ho fills thefr heurts with self-
•uncolt, bigotry, spiritual pride, envy,
mtrdd, mullce and all uncharitabloness.
Instead of tho exhortation, which they need,
lo take tho beam out of their own eye ho
incites them to pluck the mote from their
brother’s. He does not tell them what thoy
shall do to bo saved, but ho instructs them
very carefully how they shall act for tho
destruction m others. He rouses and en-
courages to the utmost of his ability, those
brutal passions which result In riot, blood
shed, spoliation, civil wur and general cor
ruption of morals.
You commit a grelvous error In suppos
ing tlmt politics and religion aro so mingled
together tlmt you cannot preach one with
out introducing the other. Christ and his
apostles kept them perfectly separate. They
announced me great facts of the Gospel to
each Individual whom thoy addressed.
When those wero accepted the believer was
told to repent and bo baptized for the ru
mission of his sins, and afterwards to regu
late his own life by the rules of a pure and
perfect morality. They expressed no pref
erence for one form of government over
another, they provoked no political revolu
tions, and they proposed no local reforms,
If they had done so they would have flatly
coniradicted the declaration tlmt Christ’s
Kingdom was not of this world, anil Clnls
uanity itself would huvo died out in halt
a century. But they accepted tho relations
which were created by humun law and ex
horted their disciples to discharge faithfully
the duties which arose out of thorn. Though
thu laws which defined tho authority of
husbands, parents, masters and magistrates
wore as bud as human perversity could
make them, vet thu early Christians con
tented themselves with teaching moderation
In thu exorcise of legal power, and uniform
ly inculcated tho virtues of obedience and
fidelity upon wives, children, slaves and
subjects. They joined In no clamors for or
against uny administration, hut simply tes
tified against sin before the only tribunal
which Christ ever erected on earth; tlmt Is
lo suv, the conscience of tho sinner himself.
Thu vice of political pruuchlng was wholly
unknown to thu primitive church.
It is true that Paul counselled obedience
lo tho government ol’Nuro; and I nm aware
that modern clergymen Interpret his words
as a Justification of thodoclrino thatsupport
of an existing administration Is “part of
their allegiance to God.” Several Synods
and other ecclesiastical bodies have solemnly
resolved something to that effect. But thoy
lbrgct thut what Paul advised was simple
submission, not active assistance, to Nero.
The Christians of that day did not endorse
his atrocities merely because ho wus “tho
ad ministration duly placed in power.” They
did not go with him to tho theatre, applaud
his acting, or praise hitn in tho churches
when ho kidnapped their brethren, set fire
to a city, or desolated a pros inee. Nor did
thoy ussist ut his upotheosis after his death,
or pronounce funeral sermons lo show that
ho wus greater than Seipio, more virtuous
than Cato, and more eloquent tbun Cicero.
Political preachers would huvo done this,
but Paul und Peter did no such thing.
There is nothing in the Scriptures to jus
tify the Church in applying its discipline to
any member for otlencos purely political,
much loss for his mere opinions or feelings
on public affairs. The clergy nro without
authority, as they aro often without fituoss,
to decide for their congregations what is
right or what is wrong iu tho legislation ol
tho country. They aro not called or sent
to propugato any kind of political doctrine.
Tho Church and the State aro entirely sepa-
rate und distinct in their origin, thuir ob
ject, und the sphere of their action ; inso
much that tho organism of one can never
bo used for any purpose of thu other with
out Injury to both.
Do I therefore any that thu Christian re
ligion is to have no influence on the poliil
cal destiny of man? Fur from it. Nofc
withstanding thu unfaithfulness of muny
professors, it Ims already changed thu face
of human society; and it will yet accom
plish its mission by spreading peace, inde
pendence, truth, justice and liberty regu
iated by law, ” from the sea to the utter
most etuis of the earth.” Hut this will be
accomplished only by reforming and ele
vating the individuals of whom society is
composed; not by exasperating communi
ties aguinst each other ; not by any alliance
with the governments of the world ; not by
any vulgar partnership with politicians to
kill and plunder their enemies.
Every time you reform a bad man and
bring his character up to the standard of
Christian morality, you make addition,
greater or less, to that righteousness which
exalteth a nation, and subtract an equul
sum from the sin which is a reproach to any
people. Sometimes u aingle conversation is
extremely important in its immediate effect
upon the public interest of a wholo nation.
No doubt the acceptance of tho truth by
Dionysius the Areopuglte, hud much to do
in moulding tho subsequent laws and cus
toms of Athens. The conversion of Con
, stuntino was followed by the instant abro
gation of all laws which fettored the con
science. In the reign of Theodosius the
people of Thessalonica rose against the
Roman garrison and killed its commander.
For this act of rebellion tho Emperor de
creed against them the curse of un indis
criminate war, in whjch the guilty and the
innocent were confounded together in one
general slaughter. His spiritual "guide,
philosopher, and friend” at the time was
Ambrose, Archbishop of Milan, who boldly
denounced bis cruelty, refused to give him
the Sacrament, or even to administer It
in his presence, compelled him to take I*lh
seat among the penitents on tho portico of
the church and induced him to bumble his
diadem in the dust for eight months in suc
cession. The conscience of the lijmperor
was thoroughly awakened; his subsequent
reign was distinguished by justice and
mercy, the integrity of tho ornplro was pre
served in ponce, and the groat Tboodosian
code, the product of that bitter ropontance,
is still read and quoted for its admirable
union of humanity and policy, Ambrose
produced those consequences by noting in
tho truo capacity of a Christian minister;
for ho roformed tho criminal by adlroot ap
peal to bis own heart. A political preacher
in the same circumstances would navo in
flamed the sanguinary passions of the mon
arch, by exaggerating tho treason of the
Theßsalonians, and counseling the military
execution of all who presumed to sympathize
in their sufferings.
You will see, I think, the distinction I
would make. A gospel preacher addresses
the conscience of hie hearers for the honest
purpose of converting them from the error
of their ways; a political preacher Bpeaks
to one community, one party or one sect,
and his theme is the wickedness of another.
The latter effects no religious purpose
whatever; but the chances are ninety-nine
in a hundred that he~ exoltea the bad pas
sions of those who are present, while he
NUMBER 31.
slanders the absent and undefended. Both
classes of preachers frequently speak upon
the same or similar subjects, but they do so
with different objects and aims.
I will make my meaning more clear by
taking your own illustrations. You believe
in the first day of the week as a Sabbath,
and so believing your duty undoubtedly is
to exhort all persons under your charge to
observe it strictly; but you have no right
to preach a crusade against the Jews nnd
Seventh-day Baptists, to get intolerant laws
enacted against them for keeping Saturday
as n day of rest. If drunkenness bo a sin
which easily besets your congregation, you
may warn them against it, and inasmuch
as abstinence is always easier than moder
ation, you should advise them to taste not,
touch not, and handle not; but your position
gives you no authority to provoke violent
hostilities agalust tavern-keepers, liquor
dealers, ordistillers. Ifuny of your hearers
be ignorant or coarse enough to desire more
wives than one a piece, you should certainly
teach them that polygamy is tho worst fea
ture of Asiatic manners, inconsistent with
Christianity und dangerous to domestic
happiness; but you eauuot lawfully urge
them to carry fire and sword into the ter
ritory of the Mormons, merely because
some of the Mormons are in this respect
less holy than you. If the holding of slaves
or bona servants be a practical question
among the members of your church, I know
of nothing which forbids you to what
ever you conscientiously believe tone true
on that subject. But in a community whero
slavery is not only unknown, but impos
sible, why should any preacher makoil tho
subject of his weekly vltuperatiou ? You
do not improve the religion of tho slave
holder by traducing Ills character,nor mend
the spiritual condition of your own people
by making .them thirst for the blood of their
fellow-men.
If uny person, to whom the servico of an
other Is due by tho lawsoftheStatoin which
ho lives, shall uood your instructions to
regulate his personal conduct towards the
slave, you aro bound In tho first placo to
tell him, that ns os that relation exists,
be should behuvo with the utmost humani
ty and kindness; for this you havo the
clear warrant of tho Apostolic oxainplo and
precept. In dealing with such a person you
may go as much further ns your own con
scientious interpretation of the Biblo will
carry you. Ifyouarosuro thnt the divine
law|dous, under all circumstancos, mnko
tho more existence of such a relation sinful
on tho part of tho inastor, you should induce
him to dissolvo it by tho Immediate eman
cipation of his hluvoh; for that is truth to you
wulch you beUovo to bo true. Hut whero is
the authority lor preaching hatred of those
who understand the scripture difi'erontly?
What privilege can you show for exciting
Horvllo Insurrection? Who gave you tho
right to Huythat John Brown was bolter thun
any uthor thief or murderer merely because
his crlmeH wore committed against pro-shi
vcry men?
I think tho minister, in his pulpit dis
courses, Is forbidden to touch at all upon
that class of subjects which aro purely po
litical; such for instance as tho banking
law, tariff, railroud charters, State rights,
tho naturalization laws and negro suffrage.
Those aro questions of mere political ex
pediency; religion takes no cognizance of
them; they come within tho solo Jurisdic
tion of tho statesman ; and the church has
no more right to takosides upon them than
the civil government hus to use its legisla
tive, Judicial or executive power for the
purposo of enforcing principles wholly re
ligious.
In short, If I am not entirely mlstakou, a
Christian minister has no authority to
proach upon any subjects, oxcept those in
which divine revelation hus given him an
infallible rule of faith und practice; und,
even upon them, ho must speak always for
the edification of his own hearers, “ rightly
dividing tho word of truth " so as to lead
them in the way of all righteousness. When
lie does more than this he goes boyotul his
commission, ho becomes a scurvy politician
und his infiuonco is altogether pernicious.
Tho use of tho clerical office for the pur
pose of propagating political doctrines un
der any circumstances, or with any excuse,
is in my judgment notonlywithoutauthor
ity, but it is tho highest crime that can bo
committed against tho government of Ood
or man. Porbnps I ought not to make this
broad assertion without giving some addi
tional reasons for it.
In tho first place It Is grossly dishonest. I
employ you us a minister, pay your salary
anu build you u church becuuso I havo con
fidence in your theological doctrines. Hut
you may bo at,tho same time wholly unfit
for my political loader. Now you are guilty
of a huso fraud upon mo, If, instead of
preaching religion, you take advantage of
the position I nave given you to ventilate
your crude und Ignorant notions on State
affairs. I imvu asked for bread and you
give mo a stone ; Instead of tho fish I bar
gained for, you put Into my hands a serpent
that stings and poisons mu.
It destroys tho unity ol’theohurch. There
Is no room for rational dispute about tho
groat truths of Christianity ; nut men will
novor ugroo upon polltlcuf subjects, for hu
man govormnont w at best but a compro
mise of selfish Interests and confiicting pas
sions. Wbon you mix tho two together you
break tho church iuto fragments, and In-
Htoad of “ono Lord, ono faith and ono bap
tism” you croato a thousand warring sects,
and substitute the proverbial bittornoss of
the odium theologicxtm for the “charity
which thlnketh no evil.”’
No one will dony that a union of church
and stato is always the causoofbad govern
ment. perverted religion and corrupt
morals. Ido not mean merely that legal
union which exists in European countries.
That is bad enough; but you have less
common sense than I give you credit for, if
you do not see, thut this adulterous con
nexion assumes its most polluting form
when the church is voluntarily prostituted
by her own ministers to a political party in
a popular government.
The evil influence of such connexions
upon Church and Stato is easily accounted
for. Both of them in combination will do
what either would recoil from if standing
alone. A politician, backed by tho promise
of the clergy to sustain him, can safely de
fy honesty and trarnplo upon law, tor do
what ho may, ho is assured of clerical sup
port here and of heaven hereafter. The
clergy on tho other hand, uud those who
are under their influence, easily acquire the
habitof pruisingindiscriminately whutovor
is done by their public men. Acting and
reacting on one another they go down to
gether in the direction of the pit that is
bottomless ; and both uro found Lo have “ a
strange alacrity at sinking.”
No man can servo two masters faithfully ;
for be must halo one if he loves tho other.
A minister, who admires und follows such
men as those who have lately ruled and
ruined this country, must necessarily de
spise the character of Christ. If he glorifies
the cruelty, rupacity and falsehood of his
party leaders,he is compelled by an inflexi
ble law of human nature to “deny tho Lord
who bought hun.”
The experience of flfteeucenturies proves
that political preuchers are the great curse
of the world. More tliun half (ho bloody
wars which at different periods have deso
lated Christendom, were produced by their
direct instigation ; and wherever they have
thrust themselves into a contest commenced
by others, they always envenomed the
strife and made it more cruel, savage und
uncompromising. The religious wars, so
called, nad nothing religious about them
except that they wero hissed up by tho
clergy. Look buck and see if this bo not
true.
Tho Arlan controversy (tho first great
schism) was followed by wars in which
millions of lives woro lo«t—Do you suppose
the real quarrel was for Die insertion or
omission ufjilioque. in that pnrt of tho creed
which describes the procession of tho Holy
Ghost? Did a homoouaian slaughter his
brother because ho was a homoiouxian f
No, it was not the difference of a dlpthong,
out the plunder of an empire that they
fought for. It was tho politics of tho church,
not her religion, thut infuriated the parties
and converted men Into demons.
The Thirty Years War in Germany Is
often supposed to havo been a fair stand up
fight between the two leading forms of
Christianity. It was not so. The religious
difference was a falso pretence of the politi
cal preachers for the promotion of their own
schemes. There was not u sane man on all
that continent,who would havo felt hljnself
impelled by motives merely religious, to
murder his neighbor for believing or disbe
lieving In transubstantiatlon. If proof of
this wore wanting, it might bo found in the
fact, thut long beforo the w’ar ended, tho
sectarian cries woro abandoned, and Catho
lics. as well as Protestants, woro lighting on
botn Hides,
It is utterly Impossible to bollovo thut the
clergy of England and Scotland, if they hud
not boon politicians, would havo thought ol
waging bloody wars to settle questions ui
oioction anti reprobation, fato> faroknowl
ddge, free will, and other points of motu
rihyslcal theology. Nor would thoy, apart
from their politics, havo oncournged and
committed tho othor horrid crimes of
which they were guilty in tho name of roll-
you think that tho Irish wore In
vaded, and conqu*red, and oppressed, and
murdered, andlrobbod for oenturies mere y
because the English loved and believed in
the Protestant religion? I suppose you
know that those brutal atrocities were car
ried on for the purpose of giving to political
preachers in England possession of the
churches, cathedrals, glebe lands and tythes
; whlcu belonged to the Irish Catholics. The
soldier was also rewarded by confiscations
and- plunder. The church and the etate
KATES OP ADTEBTISUIe.
Bronros AsvmtTxsKicxxvTS. 813 a year per
square or ten lines; ten per oent lncreasefor
fractions of a year.
Rest. Estate, Pebsottat. FsOFEBTY t and Gzs*
eral AnvxsTianro, 7 cents a line for the
first, and 4 cents for eaeh subsequent Inser
tion.
Patent HzniGiKxa and other adver’s by the
column: •
One column,! year, ... |lOO
Half column, 1 year .. 00
Third oolumn, 1 4O
Quarter 001umn...... ...... 80
Business Carps, of ten lines or less,
one year,-....-. —...... 10
Business Cards, live lines or less, one
year,
Legal, and Other Notices—
Executors’ notices.......
Administrators' notices,...
Assignees’ notices,
Auditors’ notices,
Other “Notices, 'ten lines, or less,
three times,
hunted in couples,'and Ireland was the prey
which they ran down together.
Coming to our own country you And
Massaschusetts and Connecticut in colonial
times under the sole domination of political
preachers. Their treacherous wars upon the
Indians for purposes wholly mercenary;
their enslaving of white persons, as well as
red ones, and Rolling thorn abroad, or
“swapping them for blackamoors;” their
whipping, imprisoningand killing Quakers
and Buptists, for their conscientious opin
ions; and their baso treatment of such men
ns Roger WiUiums and his friends, will
mark their government through all times
as one of the cruelest nud meanest that ever
existed.
Political preachers havo not behaved any
better since the revolution than before.
About the commencement of tho present
century they were busy in their vile voca
tion all over New Kngland ami continued
it for many vears. The wilful atul deliber
ate slanders habitually uttered from tho
pulpit against Jefferson, Madison, and tho
iriemis who supported them, wore a dis
grace to human nature. The immediate
effect of this was tho Yankee plot to secodo
from tho Union, followed by corrupt com
binations with a foreign enemy to betray
tho liberties of tho country. Its romoter
consequences are seen in tho shamoloss ra
pacity and bitter malignity which, oven lit
this moment, are howling for tho property
and blood of an unurmed and defenceless
people.
You and I both romomber tho political
preaching which ushered in and supported
tho reign of the Know-Nothings, Blood
Tubs and Plug Uglles; when Maria Monk
was a Saint atul Joe Barker was Mayor of
Pittsburg; when pulpits resounded ovory
Sunday with tho most Injurious falsehoods
against Catholics; when the public mind
was debauched by tho inculcation of hy
pocrisy and deception ; when ministers mot
their political allies in sworn secresy to plot
against tho rights of their follow-citizens.
You cannot forget what came of this—riot,
murdor, church-burning, lawless violence
all over the land, and the subjugation of
several great Slates to tho political rule of
a parly destitute alike of principle and ca
pacity.
1 could easily prove that thoso clerical
politicians, who have tied their churches to
tiio tail of the Abolition party, are criminal
on a grander scale than any of their prede
cessors. But 1 forbear, nartly beeauso I
have no time, and partly beeauso it may,
for aught 1 know, be a soro subject with
you. I would not excite your wrath, but
rather “provoke toil to good works,”
Apart from tluvgeneral subject tlioro nro
two or three special ideas expressed in your
letter from which I venture to dissent.
You think that, though a minister may
speak from the pulpit on politics he ought
not to Indicate what party ho belongs to.
It strikes me, that if ho has a party, and
wants to give it ecclesiastical alu or com
fort, ho should boldly avow himself to bo
what ho is, so that all men mpy know him.
Sincerity is the tlrst of virtues. It Is bad to
be a wolf, but a wolf In sheep's clothing Is
milnitolv worse.
You represent thochurch as an nntlnlshod
slructuie.and tho statu as its scaffolding. I
think the church came perfect from tho
hand ol'lts divine Architect—built upon a
rock, established, finished, eomplnlo—and
every ono who comes into it by tho right
door will llnd a mansion prepared for him.
It noeds no scaffold. Its founder refused
all connection with human government*
for scaffolding or any other purpose.
You say tin substance) that, without
sometimes taking political subjects, a min
ister is In danger of fulling into a ” vacuo,
Indefinite and non-committal stylo'” which
will do no good and bring him no respect.
Tho gospel is not vague, induilnito nr non
committal upon the subjects of which it
takes Jurisdiction, and upon them you may
preach as loudly ns you please. But 1 ad
mit that in times of groat public excitement
—an important election or u olvil war—
inun listen Impatiently to tho teachings
of faith ami repentance. A sermon
which tells them to do Justlco, lovo
mercy and walk humbly before (lod, is not
an entertainment to which they willingly
invito themselves. At such a time a clergy-
man can vastly increase his personal con
sequence, and win golden opinions from Ilia
audience, by pampering their passions with
a highly seasoned discourse on politics.
Tho temptation to gratify thorn often bo
eotnos too strong for the virtue of tho prench
er. 1 fear Unit you yourself nro yielding to
it. As a mere layman I have no right to
advise a Doctor of Divinity, but I liopo 1
am not over presumptuous whoti 1 warn
you against tills specious allurement of
Natan. All thoughts of putting the Gospol
aside because It does not suit tho depraved
tastes of Urn day, and making political
harangues to win popularity In n bud world
should bo sternly trampled down as the
suggestions of that Kvll One. “ who was a
liar ami a murderer from llio beginning.”
Faithfully yours, Ac.,
J. N. BLACK.
Youk, -Inly 2fjth, 1 HOB.
Soldiers' Bounties
Tho umount required to pay tho sol
diers’ bounties, Just authorized by Con
gress, is variously OBtl mated from seven
ty-five to two hundred millions of dol
lars. Tho Increased compensation voted
to members of Congress will amount to
half a million, und the other extras to
one or two hundred thousand more.
The following is u correct copy of the
Bounty Bill as it passed both Houses,
and was approved by the President:
Section 1. lie it cnciclcit, etc, Thattoeach
and every soldier who unlisted into tiio
army of the United Stutoa uftortho 19th day
of April, 1801, for a period of not loss than
three years, and having served his term of
enlistment, lias been honorably discharged;
and who hits received, or is entitled to re
ceive, from tho United States, under exist
ing laws, a bounty of one hundred dollars
and no more; and any such soldier enlisted
for not loss than three years, who has been
honorably discharged on neeountof wounds
received In tho lino of duty, anfltho widow,
minor children, or parents, in tho order
named, of any such soldier who died in tho
service of the United States, or of disoaseor
wounds contracted while in the service and
in tho lino of duty, shall bo paid tho ad
ditional bounty of one hundred dollars
hereby authorized.
Sec. 2. That to each and every soldier who
enlisted into tho army of the United States
after the 19th of April, 18/31 during tho re
bellion, lor a period of not loss than two
years, and who is not Included in tho fore
going so lion and has been honorably dis
charged therefrom alter serving two years,
and who has received or is entitled to re
ceive from tho United States, under exist
ing laws a bounty of nay dollars and no
more and any soldior onlisted for less than
two years, who has boon honorably discharg
ed on uccount of wounds rocofvQd th<?
lino of duty, and the widow, minor ohfl
dren of parents, in the order named,
of any such soldier who died in tho ser
vice of the United States, or of diseases or
wounds contracted while in tho service
of tho United States, nnd in tho line of duty
shall bo paid tho additional bounty of nay
dollars hereby authorized : Provided, That
any soldier who has bartered, sold, assign
ed, transferred loaned, exchanged or given
away his final discharge papors, or any in
terest in tho*bounty provided by this or any
other act of Congress, shull not bo ontitled
to receive any additional bounty whatever;
and when application Is mudo by any sol
dier for said bounty, ho shull bo required,
under the pains ami penalties of perjury;
to make oatii or alllrmatlon of his idontity,
und that ho has not so bartered, sold, as
signed, transferred, oxebanged, loaned, or
given away, his discharge papors or any
interest in any bounty as aforesaid, und no
claim for such bounty shall bo entortalnoa
by tho Paymastor-Genorul or other accoun
ting or disbursing ofllcor, except upon re
ceipt of tho claimant’s discharge papers, ac
companied by the statement under oath, oa
by tills section provided, .
Set 3. And be it further enacted. That In
tho payment of tbo additional bounty hore
ln provided for, It shall bo tho duty of the
Paymastor-Ueneral, under auelj rules and
retmlallons us may bo proscribed by the
NH'ininrv of War, to cuuso to bo examined
fro uSn N of ouch and every soldior who
mult os application therefor, and If found
ontitled thereto, pay si(ld bounties.
Hfc. 4. Andbe it further cmactcd, That In
the reception, examination, settlement, and
payment of claims for said additional bounty
Quo tho widows or heirs of deceased sol
diers, the accounting ofllcors of tho Treas
ury shall bo governed by restrictions pro
scribed for the I’aymustcr-Genoral by tho
Secretary of War, and tho payment shall
bo made in like manner underthodirectlon
of tho Secretary of tho Treasury.
Tho Riot In New Orleans.
The Radicals now in power are a
mob party. Their revolutionary princi
ples foster a disposition to bloodshed,
and seem to lead Inevitably to dis
turbances of the peace. We give
copious proofs elsewhere that the dis
graceful negro riot In New Orleans Is of
their creation. The evidence It will bo
noticed is culled principally from a
special to a leading Repulican news
paper. Is It not high time that this
infamous party was crushed oat of ex
istence?
2.00
2.00
2.00
1.60