Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1840-02-27
LETTER OF REV. MR.. WINANs.

LETTER OF REV Mr.. WINANS.
i 1t IS with emotions of more than ordina
qualification that we are enabled to lay beio
our readers the following communication fro
the Rev. William Winans, of Mississippi,
distinguished clergyman of the Method
Episcopal Church.
1t were needless for us TO pretend TO conce
the iact that we exult in the public appreciate
OF reverend gentleman whose spotIess an
unbIemlshed character and primeval simpIiclt
are SO well known, and so highly appreciate,
not only in the great West, but throughout tn
/ United States; and one whose high attainment
great experience, and acknowledged wisdom
add dignity 10 the sacred calling, to which h
has dedicated his useful and exemplary life.
! We entreat our countrymcn to give an after
tive ard dlspasslonate perusal TO this most abb
and conclusive letter, on the necessity of re
peal of the Naturalization Laws
Rec SIR
4 meeting the Native American Associa
ton las: evening having unfortunately conflict
ed with a meeting Of the Colonization Society
and being very DESTROYS TO obtain the public ex
| preston ofyour opinion as to the objects ofthe
REPEAL PARTY; the Native American As
ISOLATION WAS adjourned at an early hour so as.
to enable iSmembers to attend The Colonial
ton Meeting, and with the hope that we shall
be able TO obtain your assistance
Our adjourned meeting takes place this
evening, at O'Clock. Can we be favored with
an address from you on the occasion.
Respectfully, J, S. MCFARLAND.
Rer William Winans.
New Orleans, Jan. 18th. 1870
CENTREVILLE, ANTE Co., Mss, Jan. "a, 1910. |
Dr.. j. S. MCFARLAND II
Dcar Sri greatly regretted that your
polite note Of the nth inst, requesting me to
tddress the Native American Association, was
'ccelved by me in circumstances which abso.
uteIy prevented my returning an immediate ,
answer; and indeed, the nature ofmy situation !
las been such, that | have not been able any t
o2nerto reply to your obligng request. Il
Only one consideration could have proven n
I'd my compliance with the wishes entertain. o
d by your Association, and communicated bv c
on IN such llattcring tcrms-thc fear that .
Mould compromise my standing as Il Minister
inc Gospel, by entering the arena of political t
ontllct This fear rests upon the fact that y
neither flght or wrong, persuasion prevails a
cry extensively that Ministers of the Gospel f
olate the prophecies oil their position ard o
laracter when they engage IN the public dis i
ission ofpolitcal questions; and there are very C
Nv cases IN which the Minister Of the Gospel G
IN thus engage, without mourning censure G. o
IN from those whose views of policy he adyo- O
ties. The Minister ofthe Gospel, though he III
ay be superior TO all personal consideration liz
these censures, should consider them impor tc
mt in the influence they may exert upon his Ip
elulness to those TO whom it is his business In
lmpart the word OF life. He may even con. D
Ter the views entertained by the people, in W
IS matter, unreasonable and oppressive to {,
mselt, and injurious to the public. Still, 81
llle the persuasion prevails that it is ncon. In
uous to his character that he should engageIif
political discussion, he should feel hmselrIte
llgeG to refrain, on the ground ofQEcial expo. p,
'ncy,-The existence OF such persuasion. g.
long many Of those to whom it is my duty to "
mister in matters Of eternal consequence, tc
d the fears that by dsregardng this per- in
aston, might prevent my influence upon te
I'm, in the matter of their salvation, we're, | It'll
peat, the only considerations which proven-
my complying with the desire of your As a,
,iation IN addressing them. al
need not tell you how entirely concur in Ii
, main design Of your Association. OF that Ii
u have been made fully ryarc, in the CONVEX al
ions we have had on the subject. Long be. If
c was informed OF any effort being m adc te
obtain repeal or modification Of the natur- Sc
cation laws, was fully satisfied that some be
ng ofthe kind was Indispensable, not to the tn
u beng OF our institutions merely, but TO the tn
'petuity Of their eGiStence. And should be TO
onshed to know that any American, who nc
at all capable of reflection, should have failed Tx
be impressed with like conviction NV pa
rsuasion that this law should be rcpeaIedt
es not proceed from the suppositon thatIda
elgners who immigrate to this country are m
cked, though it will not be denied that very IeA
my OF them are so, but from the ndisputableI CIV
y that nine in ten OF them are not, and in of
nature otthlngs, cannot be either acouain. su
with, or habituated to our Institutions: and
mot, therefore, be safely entrusted with de
lr guardianship, IN the exercise Of the right ca
Vrage' 1t is, believe, an admitted prin. ur,
g. that no measure Of general intelligence ga
lres qualification for particular Office bee
%, for instance, would feel himself safe in n be
mboat, whose engine was under the control lear
be most literary of scientific man of the ow
if the knowledge of the steam engine and hol
boat machinery were not part OF his ac. fro
But, supposing it possible anl
the scientific man could apply the princi- mot
of general science TO the business of con. TIL
ing the engine safely, would it thence be VIII
req mat any ana eoery man might be safely cal
ls!ed with the charge ola steam engne?- the
wing mat small portion OF those who i'm era