Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-08-05
TO THE PUBLIC.

on, Win MS ears kept HouL puo'S ''e"' % ~0
BY its brsyiog. 1t was entirely unnecessary in
Wr. Brooke ". Sower, in his paper (the Lees
burg Genius Of Liberty Of the eth ult. to prac'
tise deception, or attempt cheat on the public.
in the attack made upon me, over the signature
of "An agsrieved Father" and hyPoertiealiy
headed l." Communication" The covering Is too
slisht. At a distance this pitiful artitice may
succeed. while in his immediate neighborhood.
and where he is known. the subject will be per.
fectl, understood, aud under the covering which
he has SOUGHT to draw around him, such indi.
yidua,s will perceive, at the first blush, that de-
formi,y of character which has always dlstin'
euished the boas!ful, inflated creature az the
head of the ." Genius Of Liberty"
Had the writer Of the article referred to, To-
stead Of the signature affixed, appended his pro-
per name, the cause Of the attack, its motive
and its end would have been understood-its
malevolence and fury harmless. Tired. howe
yer, of this course Of open warfare, where he
has been met, and made to sustain signal de-
feat-kno~ing that over his proper signature
no statement which he could make, involving IN
the slightest degree my character, would be Gre
dited, where we are both known, he seeks IN this
covert and dastardly manner to effect the wicked
purposes of his corrupt heart, and assassin like.
In the dark, to attempt that which he has neither
the courage nor ability to effect openly.
With a knowledge of little beyond the mocha
nicai part of his profession, with a temper the
most ungovernable, laboriog constantly under
the influence Of the most bloated self.coneeit,
assuming the character Of general dictator, Mr..
Sewer has been in the habit, for years past, OF
assailiny the character OF individuals, and OF
whole communities, making his paper the me-
dium of attack and vituperation. Having been
more than once a member Of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church; having sought unsuccesstully tor
advancement 10 her communion, as an exhorter
or preacher, which he was promptly refused, ne
withdrew from the Church uuder the influence
of the most embittered feelings, and has since
sought. by all the means IN his power, to bring
that Church into disrepute. More than once
have its members been assailed. its regulations
opDosed, and the acts Of its official bodies rdi-
culcd.
Very soon after my appointment to Leesburg,
in March 1889, this same Mr.. S. attempted
course of conduct in relation to myself which
was promptly resisted. 1t was known to him
that was IN the habit OF using the hute, occa.
siunaliy: this. to use his own words, was s. Of
fepsive to his moral sense and forthwith an at.
tack vas commenced upon me in his paper. He
had PLAYED off his games with impunlty upon
others. and felt exceedingly FESTIVE when dis
position was manifested to repel his insults. he
was made to feel before the public the weakness
aud folly of the attempt
A mere tyrant every where, 1t was to have
been expected that portion OF his rancorous
hostility would be communicated to the members
of his own family-and he was found degraded
enough to enlist the female part ct 1t IN his
quarrel. Still felt nought but pity for their
weakness, and an assurance that his rage was i'm
potent Whatever Of poison might be conceal.
ed under the tooth of the serpent, knew that
there we're other properties and qualities blend.
ed in its character, which could not fail to neu-
tralize its most envenomed fang. At present |
have but one single regret on this subject. DC.
cupvins point so low, that contempt itself be-
came dizzy in looking down upon it, perhaps
ought to have permitted the insignificant reptile
to have marked its slimv and offensive course,
unnoticed and unregarded.
Having engaged his wife and daughters, who
were members Of our Church, in his quarrel, he
artfully slipped behind the curtain, and threw
them forward. hoping that 1 might be induced to
take such notice Of their conduct as would afford
him some pretext for some new assault by which
the sympathies of the public might be enlisted
in his and their favor. | could not consent to
notice their conduct under such circumstances,
a to some it might appear vindictive. Although
thew withdrew themselves from my ministry,
forsook their classes when was present, spoke
of me in the most unqualified terms Of abuse,
chose TO remain silent-to war on such subjects
/ could not. While Mr.. Sewer thought proper
IN continue his attacks, l was willing to meet
him and speak out the language Of just rebuke;
but when this change in the order Of attack was
determined on, preferred silence to reply
This course Of conduct was followed during the
whole Of my stay in Leesburg-and was fire.
queu,iy urged by the most respectable Of the
membership to notice the disorder and correct
the evil; while others equally respectable, ex- |
pressing their indignation, gave it As their advice
70 paw no attention whatever to il The latter |
conforming to my own feelings and views, was
my course.
1 shall oot attempt to deny that, attending the !
Quarterly Meeting at Leesburg . shor! time !
since, lat the request Of my Presiding Elder
and the earnest and pressing solicitation of
friends there, than whom none have ever mani
tested greater kindness.l and perceiving at a !
particular period Of the meeting considerable ex-
eitement produced by the conduct Of certain indi-
yiduals, four or five in number. among whom