Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-01-29

ANNh"5i Nos n WOuiu NdhO OoCh lNt dSStI-
ton that Norton had lied, but would say that
he had made a false statement and | could
prove it." That this witness was mistaken
will appear very evident hereafter.
Mr.. Asa Underwood testified that | said to
him in the street. 81 wonder which lied the
most Watson or Norton.' Mr.. Norton then
read the said letter Che scurrilous picce)
which he had received, and among many 9TH
ers, found my signature. With regard to the
scurrility of this letter | shall not now say
but as there has been so much said about il,
we shall probably have it published, that
people mag know whether it is scurrilous or
not.
was then called on 10 make my defense.
When my first witness was called, ] was
asked what ! wished to prove. | said |
wished TO prove by those who heard Mr.. Nor
toms sermon On the 9th Of April, that he did
contradict himself, and was therefore guilty
of all | accused him of-making a false state
ment. Mr.. Asa Underwood Tin behalf Of
the court | suppose) decided that l could
bring no such teslimony-though Mr.. Nor
ton had made a false statement | had no bu-
siness to tell Of it. ! contended that public
sermons and public addresses were public
property, and that as such, | had a right to
pass my opinion upon them. Mr.. Norton
said they rere not public property, and car
ried the idea that he might hold his audien-
ces responsible fer any opinion they might
pass upon his public jiscourses.
The President finally decided that | might
bring such testimony, on condition that after
my witnesses had testified, it they made it
appear that there were conflicting statements
in Mr.. Norton's sermon, then Mr.. Norton
should have the privilege of explaining such
statements, and cell what his intention was
when he made them, aid such explanations
should go before the jury as evidence. On
this condition only | was allowed to bring
testimony.
called on Messrs. T. Allen, r. Hart, ST.,
H. Pratt, J. r. Whitney, E.. Moore and Mrs.
H. Pratt, all members of the NJ. L. Church.
They testified that Mr.. Norton said in his
sermon that the NJ. L. Church was free and
distinct from slavery-was in no way con-
bected with it. Also, that when comment
ing on Discipline, he said the NJ. F.. Church
was not free from slavery that a part of the
Baltimore Conference held slaves, and that
Conference yet belonged to the Church.
They furthermore testified that when accused
in the said Class Meeting, l stated ~ have
never said Mr.. Norton lied,-but that he
made a false statement, and | say so still, and
am willing to abide the consequences" 1t
is easy TO see how Mrs. Nye might have
misunderstood this statement for what she
testified.
They said Mr.. Norton's discourse was very
bitter against, and calculated to excite the
feelings of those who differed with him in
opinion about slavery.
Mr.. Norton then came before the jury to
explain his sermon. insisted that he
was too much interested in the decision
of the case to be permitted to testi-
fy. The President decided that he had no
interest at stake to prohibit him from testify
ing at any stage of the trial, and thought no
person knew so well what he meant" TO
say as Norton himself. Norton went on and
said, that, when he said the church was free
, from slavery, he meant that partof the church
/, north of Mason's and Dixon's line, and when
he said it was not free from slavery, he mean,
8 the whole of the church after the secession Of
the sixteen Southern Conferences. (Pretty
division for churches!)
Mr.. Asa Underwood then addressed the
: jury. He said that it was impossible fol
[ them 10 clear me-that the testimony againsI
me was Overwhelming, and none in my favor
He said that every charge against me was
d fully substantiated. In short, his speech
would have been more becoming a back
y woods pettifogger before a Justice of thu
Peace, than it was "a Minister of the Gospe
in all ecclesiastical trial.
sr Some other arguments were made on bot
lie sides and the case was left with the Jury
o. The jury retired and in a short time returne,
h, with a verdict CT "guiAy." The Presiden
pronounced the sentence, and cut me off from
ID The Church.
" Then, in view Of the circumstances and tn
ID trial, ! am expelled from the Church for on
lie of the W following reasons;
LIST. Because | did not understand MI
= Norton as he meant, instead of as he said {
e. Cd. Because Mr.. Norton was a minister
o. and !, as a lay member, had no right to e,
h, pose any f~allacies, or speak of any contradi'
le tons in his discourses without first consul
Mt ing him.
@, If this is Methodist Government and Nj
ID thodist Discipline, never let a Method
in minister say aught against Aristocracies ar
s. acknowledgements let a Methodist mouth