The Delaware register, or, Farmers', manufacturers' & mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1828-1829, 1829-05-30
From Flint's Western Monthly Review, for April 1920.

Public challenged Dispute between ROBERT OWEN, late of
New Lanark Scotland, and last of New Harmony Indiana,
Philosopher and Cosmopote, and Rev ALEXANDER
CAMPBELL, of the sect commonly called Free-wl Bap-
tiss of Bethany, West Virginia, Wheeling: the for
mer denying truth of all religions in general; and the
latter affirming the truth of the Christian religion on logi-
cal principles.
The glove was first thrown down by Mr. Owen, last
year, in New Orleans. None of the ministers there
saw fit to take it up But it was circulated extensive
the papers, that the ministers challenged. the
world over, to ogomachic tilt with Mr. Owen, the
evidences of Christianity MIR Campbell who had
gained extensive reputation by dealing hard and dex-
ferrous blows. polemlc theological dlsputant, at
Lexington, Kentucky, u set dspuation with the
Rev. Mr. McAuley some points between Presby
erans and Baptiss, took up the glove, and publicly
advertised that his courage was up to the point OF do
ing battle in this grand tournament, in the face OF all
Christians, and especially before all the gentle
men and ladies that might assemble at any given place.
which should be central and convenient for the said
dsputaton. MIR Owen, on his way from New E1ar-
mony to Europe, took Bethany in his route, called on
the Rev MIR Campbell, and ascertained satisfactorily
not only the extent of his caibre but the keenness of
his metal, his disposition for fairness of fight, and the
honest zeal for the truth, which, he compelled to
believe, filled the bosom of this gentleman. Having
measured with his eye the proud dimensions, the Draw
ny intellectual muscle and snew of this offering oppo-
nent having ascertained to his satisfaction that there
was happy mixture of Scotch shrewdness with Ken
lucky hard fight in the premises, he deemed it not un-
worthy ogomachc fame, won extensively in both
hemspheres to engage with Mr. Campbell, to do wordy
battle in the city of Cincinnati in the month of April
and the year commonly called that of our Lord, 1929
Mr. Owen, having settled the preminaries of the fight
went his way Homer would say, Be d akeon para
nina poLuphIOiSboiO thdldSses-went meditating upon
the eventful disputaton the resoundng sea, to
New Lanark talked, we dare say, about the social
system; and, no doubt, felt the germ of many an
Intellectual egg silently breeding within HIM. from
which in due time should hatch the embryo of rout,
rum and dsnay to minister's hes and match makers.
The other betnk hnnselflke high melted and good
soldier of the church militant, to all the black letter,
long bearded sages, from Sanchonathon and Herodo-
Jus down to DIR Fishback, of Lexington. Meantime
lhe papers from Dan to Beersheba, from Lands end
70 the Shetland Islands, from Calais to Archangel, from
Vuaddy to the Sabine, rung with the note of prepa-
rauon tor this grand tournament with which our city
was to be honored. Most of the papers gave it pas
sing article, without note comment; and SO we re-
ceIved it in different papers, that came the
sea- Not so the enlightened, amiable, mild, most To-
gcal and erudite Pondect of our city. 1t growled,
iherenpon, in tone evincing that the writer had
load OF most righteous bile on his bosom; regarding
he approaching tournament with any feelings rather
an those of delectation and quiet confidence in the
omlpotence of truth. 1t rather seemed to the said