The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1844-08-01
New PhiiadeIphia, August L, As44.


that resorts to such means is entirely unfit to have
powerin republican country and in my humble ludg-
meut no peace loving, orderly citizen can consistently
become attached to it. cannot belong to party that
would wrest Il man from the custody and control OF an
officer OF the law mange & bruise him-beat his head
with paving stones and when in the apparent agonies
OF death, hang him by the neck in public market
house Christianity shudders and humanity weeps at
the recent outrages Of your party, and God grant that
we may have no more of the evidence of its ascenency
And there is another reason why cannot join your !
association. The whole energies OF the party OF which
it forms part, are almost exclusively devoted to the
prescription and denunciaon o. one sect of Christians
With the Roman Catholics, as religious Sect have
no part or lo having been born and reared in the Pro-
estant faith but know the Constitution OF my country
declares that "al men have natural and indeteasble
right to worship their Creator cordng TO the dictates
of their own consciences" and hope that so long as
God gives me breath lmay hold in sacred remembrance
this wise provision. When saw from the roof OF my
dwelling on the night of the Sh of May, the bright
flame that enshrouded the lofty dome of ST. Augustine,
| thought of the Constitution OF my country. thought
of those departed sages who declared that in this land
there should be 'libery Of conscience for all men"-
thought OF the ancient bell whose tones first proclaimed
the glad dings of American independence! turned
and saw the redeemed spe and Ioo OF the sacred Hall
of Independence and The whole high vault Of Heaven
blushing in deep crimson at the scene turned aside
and wep-not for the edifce or its contents for they
were but dross, but wep our bleeding COnsttu-
onat the soon forgotten admoniIions and precepts
of fahers-at the introduction of religious intoer
ancc and religious bigotry into our favored landa the
bright and glaring evidences of the existence in oul
h midst of spirit of persecution for opinion sake all
glad thrice glad that did not hear the fiendke shou
that is SAID have been given at the fall of the Cross
that entopped the dome of st. Augustine, for it wou
have given me pain-Those who could exult al the fal
of the emblem of that system of religion given to us BY
Him "who was meek and lowly of heart" must forge
j.; that God will 'havc mercy rather than sacrifices" ant
knowledge of himself rather than burnt offerings
must forget that we are commanded to love one ano
: her" and 10 "do unto others as we would they shoul
=. do unto U.S."
" That shout gave evidence of the existence among
of the spirit that brought Michael Servetus an
:" John Rogers to the stake-tha banshed Roger Shel
~ man and Mrs. Hutchinson from their homes-tha
murdered and manned tie unoffending Quakers. Th;
burning and that shout have implanted stain upon ii
character of our city and our people that will endu
unto the latest posery. II no longer be said of
-. in the language Of poetry s'+
~ "Aye! call call it holy ground
hu The spot where first they trod
ce They have left unstained what there they foun
Freedom TO worship God"
nv One more reason why cannot join your associate
lot is that have from my youth upwards belonged al
am still attached political pary-a party that hi
NO its origin in the institutions of country-a party
nat whose principles depends mainly the preservation al
om pepetuation of those Institutions party that has
3D. sionaly all others have been disgraced by the ac
ch ofthose it has elevated to place and power but has tn
Gel far possessed energy and vitality to enable it throw
ch the putrd humcrs that have disturbed it party til
ind has always sought to extend the right of suffrage nste
,ur of diminish it. that would allow man to paFcipa
ned in the affairs of Government because he uaS
er" endowed with reason and understanding and not
yn cause he born in certain place. possessed &C
eri- tain amount of property, or proessed certain relg
ing party that has never to my knowledge dsgraeed
up- self by resorng to moblaw and 10 mob violence 10
'ou venge its wrongs or redress its inuries-a party
in which edifces devoted TO the worship of God and
ble purposes of education have always found favor al
sa protection. Belonging to this political party, 50 mu
ere superior to yours, in alrespecls would be acting
ek ooshy did leave it for the purpose of joining 20
his Association. ia .,.. .......
inp Yours, with respect,
ri ANDREW MILLER