Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-03-08
Ct.urcsi PrOscYiplion-Anot APP
peal 10 Scctari;lsi Prejudiccs.


Church Observation-Disclosures Hp-
peal To Scctari;lM Prejudiccs.
A federal scribbler in the Dubuque Tri-
bune Of the 2lst ult., who signs himself
Justice = and entities the crude produce
lion ofhis teeming brain "Jumes Harlan-
Political stvindle -onother scheme" &C., at.
ter charging that 'the democracy Of this
State have swindled Mr.. Harlan out Of his
Office" makes the following direct appeal
to the Methodists Of the State at large:
"Mr. Harlan will Of course, l presume,
be in the field. Who his competitor will
be, we do not know; but Of course he will
be democrat, dyed in the wool. But
Mr.. Editor, have too good an opinion OF
that religious denomination, to believe that
| any good conscientious Methodist would
consent, under the circumstances, to be a
candidate against James Harlan; and ifany
should, l hope he will be looked upon in
his true character, which, as far as his re-
lation to this matter is concerned, will be
| lar from enVlable.
Here we have an imperious bull Of ex-
communication against any Methodist who
dare accept the nomination of the demo-
cratic party for the office of Superintend-
ent "against James Harian!" So, Mr.. Ben
ton, though universally esteemed wher-
ever known as an upright, exemplary and
devoted member of that church, is to be
denounced as reproba's and "looked''
down for daring to exercise the right Of q
freeman in accepting the nomination fol
an important office, rendered to him by bis
fellow citizens!
| This writer edoes not believe that any
good, conscientious .Keihodist will consent
to be a candidate against James Harlan
and if any should" he adds, 81 hope hs
will be looked upon in his true character. ,
Let it be remembered that this ukase wa.
issued in udpance OF the democratic con
vention which nominated Mr.. Benton
Here is religious prescription and dicta.
ton for you in good earnest; or, we should
rather say, here we have the spirit of big
otry and prescription; for we shave toe
good an opinion of that denomination tc
belieye'' that the odious sentiment ex-
pressed by this nameless scribbler car
meet with response from one in twenty
of the Methodists in Iowa. Indeed, we
are confident that very large majority Of
them, both wings and democrats, will in.
dignantly spurn this insulting appeal, and
in proper manner manifest their detesta
ton of the political mountebauks who
dare approach them thus. We are sure
that they will administer to those false
hearted demagogues who are seeking, by
secret artifice and strategy, to secure the
election of their candidate under the guise
ola no.party" man, such rebuke as
they will not soon forget.
Assuming that the democrats would be
actuated by views as contracted and sor.
did as those by which himselfand his po-
litical associates are governed, this pro.
life genius charges them with the design
Of nominating Methodist, for no other
purpose but 'to head .Hr. Harlan.''-
He then admonishes "the people to be on
the watch, and not allow any such trick to
deceire Them Verify, this pitifnl, venal
panderer to political corruption and chi.
canery, is beautiful specimen to be pra,
ting to the people Of Iowa in this strain
and warning them against tricksry!
In conclusion, we would observe that
Mr.. Benton was selected for that impor
tant station by the democracy solely on
account of his moral worth, his intrinsic
merit as man, and his excellent qualili-
cations and peculiar fitness for the station
NOT, as alleged by these political trick
sters, because he was member of the
Methodist Church; though the fac. of bis
being sincere and practical christian is no
| disparagement, to whatever denomination
he might belong.
We hold out no inducements to the
Methodists, as class, to vote for Mr..
Benton. He is no sectarian bigot, and if
elected, will administer the affairs of the
office on true democratic principles, with
out prejudice or partially to any sect or
denomination. But we do appeal to an
enlightened community to rebuke those
designing and knavi.h charlatans who are
constantly seeking to polute the sanctity
OF the church, by making it subservient
to their nefarious schemes of political az.
grandizement.
oh Consistency!
We understand that Mr.. McCrorey,
Tho ,o,;pr School Enpd Commissions. oc