Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-03-25
Progress Of FanatiCiSm.

'''' 'J' wv cutting SoiiiC Suil.
Gus antics about these diggings nova
days. While the moving spirits were
among us they took occasion TO scatter
their vile and slanderous epithets abroad
in relation to some of our most worthy
people, and were particularly abusive
towards all of the Churches. The min
lister ofthe Methodist Episcopal Church,
gave out notice that he should deliver
a discourse in defence of the Church
to which he belonged, which he did to
a large and crowded audience. Those
who had learned Of Foster & Co., to
hold the truth as sacred, fearing that
the cause Of their holy religion would
suffer, posted their;notices announcing
that the position Of the M. E. Church
| in relation TO Slavery would be invest
liga.ed on that Monday evening Al
an early hour q respectable number as
sembled, aud every one was anxious
to hear what was to be said.
On motion of Henry C. Wolcott,
Col. VIM. Frazer was called to the
chair, when upon request Of the Prcsi-
dent, Mr.. H. C. Wolcott stated the
object of the meeting. Whereupon
E. ?. Bassett led off in a speech in
which he declared his determination
not to support the Government of the
United States and that he would not
participate in the affairs of State. He
then went into an attempt to prove that
the Northern Churches were pro- slave
ry, and aided and abbetted in sustain
ing the institution. He reiterated, in
effect, what had been proclaimed by
S. S. Foster that they we're accessory
to the crime of baby stealing, and trun.
die bed pundering, and that human
blood stained their hands. He took
his scat, having convinced himself, at
least, that he was D. X. and great
majority Of the audience that he was
created with a goodly allowance Of
ears. Next on the carpet was the
notable and worthy Prosecutor, r. F.
Paine, Esq. who took much the same
ground, in relation to the churches, as
the gentlemen who preceded him, all
though he was not prepared to take
grounds in opposition to the Govern
ment. He manifested much concern
lest the cause Of religion should suffer
unless his mighty energies should be
brought to her assistance TO prevent
the impending ruin. Mr.. P. throughout
his remarks manifested a mild and
Christian spirit. He regretted deeply
that he was under the necessity of ar>
raigning his Christian friends and as
sured them that it was from pure re-
gard for the purity Of the Church that
he entered upon the duty. "lf" he
said, rhe church was guilty, why. GER
tainly, there are no set of men who
are more interested in knowing the fact
than its members; and, if not guilty
they are surely able ofclearing them>
selves from the charge, at least" he
thought, "nothing could be lost by free
discussion and thorough investigation"
and invited them 10 discussion with
those who denounce them as thieves
and murderers.
When Mr.. Paine closed, Mr.. Ser
voss occupied the floor, for some time
in a severe retort upon those who de-
clared ii their purpose to use their ef-
forts to dissolve the Union, and during
his speech the faction Of Abby Kellyites
grew quite factious: frequently inter-
rup,ing the speaker sometimes four Of
five speaking at aAifae. The gfuH
voice ofthe President would rise above
the noise an@ruproar Of the assembly
with the cry Of "0fderl Order! gentle.
men, Order!' Then would come a
calm, and again home thrust from the
speaker, and every thrust touching
tender point. Mr.. Servoss was fre-
quently cheered by the audencei evi.
dencing that he was not alone in de.
Tending the institutions of a country for
which the fathers Of our Republic, per.
lied their all, against the vile aspersions
of designing demagogues and base hyp-
ocrites. ..... ........
When Mr.. Servoss closed his re.
marks, the meeting adjourned to meet