Arkansas intelligencer., 1844-01-13
For the Arkansas Intcllipcncer.

to find priest craft in China!
.--.- For the Arkansas Intcllgencer
MesSrs. Editors:-In December No. of your
paper is contained an address of certain gentlemen
IN behalf of contemplated institution, to be call.
ed, "Tho Far West Seminary
No one will impugn the motives of these per.
sons IN endeavorng. to cke the literary character
OF our State. But, the propriety of The manner
IN which 1t IS done, may be questioned.
There is, sirs, no conceivable necessity Of cast.
ing the reflection upon the professional men now
amongst us, which it does. Although, it be cor:
rect, 1t IS nothing more than what has Obtained in
other western states under similar circumstances.
The evil may be exposed; but, it can never be re-.
moved by unkind reflections.
The name Of tho proposed Institution is excep.
'lonab'e. ltaPPeals rather to the sympathy than
to the good sense of the people: "The Far West
Seminary
The address itself, intentionally or otherwise.
leaves an incorrect impression upon tho public
mind.
'Ihe Institution never, in all future time. is to
~ character IN politics." This is either precient;
Or controlling generations to come: the former is
not probable the latter not feusible and contrary
to experience.
Inc "addrcss' is not consistent with itself:
ne distinctive principles Of civil and religious
liberty, shall be carefully inculcated.''
AllusIon is no doubt, here made to our federal.
10 r
inat'on OF relIgionsts but protects all of them But,
in the very face f!his guaranteed religious liberty,
and IN opposition 10 the professed principles which
are to regulate the ''lnstitution," war is imme-
diateiy' 10 DC commenced against Popery!
There IS political dosrotism, and there is "spir-
ltual despoism;" the difference between these two
IS their odds; and their odds is their difference.
An appeal in this instance, is made not to the
sympathy, but, to the prejudice of tho people.
1.-The Bibeis TO be the standard Of morals and re.
ligon.''
Here is hit at all tradition, a reputation of
all confessions of faith Of all .'Artickes" and an
uncurbed license for every individual, to explain
the scriptures according to his own caprichio.
The Romsh system is Objectionable; but, it ca n.
not well be productive Of worse consequences. than
the pHnciplo assumed by The Far Yves, Semi.
nary" OF this TIE Anabap:ists of Munster; and
the religious fanatics Of the present day are abun
dant proof. Luther, Calvin, nor mono of the An.
gIican Reformers ever dreamed of such priuci.
pie.
Tradition is he external evidence of christian.
ity; and why should any one bu. an errouris, or
al innovator reject in matters of faith! 1t and
the scriptures are the weapons, which the Angi.
cans wield successfully at this very limo, against
the assumptions Of Bishop of Rome Such argu.
men!s havo weight with tho persons upon whom
they are designed to take effect: they command
their esteem, but, do not excite their contempt.
1.-The Far west Seminary" would no doubt, do
better under the control Of a particular denomna
ton let the dominant one take that control, and
sustain 1t as it ought to be. Though, good cluss.
cal schools would supply our wants, at this time.
would be much less expensive, and would them.
selves gradually prepare the way for more lie.
rary Institutions. "A CITIZEN.