Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-03-15

know Mr.. Bsnton's well established rep
uta,ion, may doubt the correctness Of tbis
statement. TO convince them, therefore,
that such il The fact, and that such is the
issue sought 10 b made BY the jealous
uhig supporters Of James Harlan, it not
opsaly b. himself. we viii quote. word
Tor word, the language Of the Hawkeye
here alluded 10. That paper Of the 9th
inst, speaking Of Mr.. Benton, holds the
following language:
"A man who. to our knowledge, con.
siders il great stoop Of condescsnsion to
be member Of the Methodist church,
Hs has been selected BY lyN'FIDEL pol,ti
cions to treak dorn brother .METHO
DIST lie has consented 10 become their
tool to dePrive a brother o an office The
Gazette may recommend Benton as much
as it pleases; the people understand The ques-
ton as itconses before Them
Here, then, we have .'the question" as
presented BY the Hawkeye. The demo-
cratic party are set Of "inGdeis;' Mr..
Benton is ''the tool Of iofilels to break
down a brother Methodist" Harlan is the
great and sole representative Of Christi.
asily, and lhe people are called upon TO
ID in order to rebuke this inf
del movement, an by SO doing, to sustain
the cause Of Christianity agains, Infdeli-
~. The Hawkeye says: "Ths people
understand the question as it comes { or is
brongh') before befare them" This is
the issue raised by the Hawkeye, and this
i the issue attempted to be forced upon
the people By Harlan and his wing sup.
porters.
II Is scarcely necessary to state that the
convention which nominated Mr.. Benton
comprised members Of almost, ifnot quite,
every Christian denomination in the State,
especially Of the Methodist church. II
there was even one infdel among the del
egates, we know no. who he was, nor do
we believe the Havkeye can name one.
Nor is It necessary to dilate upon the re-
voting nature ofthis black and bare faced
detraction. But few words to profes.
sing Christians upon its baneful tendency
and its drmoralizing influence upon socie-
ty, may not be amiss.
What will be the result ifthis course Of
mingling the subject o: religion with our
political striies be continued and counte
nanced by the churches or church men,
bers? What will be the effect, if the chur-
ches are thus allowed to be pros,itnted by
dishonest, knavish and reckless politicians.
and to be made the stalking horses and
stepping stones for political tricks,ers? Ii
the Bible, The hymn book and the confes.
sion Of faith, are permitted to be used as
dice by political gamblers, what will be
the effect upon religion? In fine. what
will be the consequence il any church
sanctions the declaration that an attempt
TO elect man, whether Of its own, or Of
any other church, in opposition to one Of
its own. members, as an infidel movement,
and that such opposing candidate is rep
rebate and ''the tool Of infdels?" Would
it not make that church Justly mock and
a by word, Kissing and a scorn among
men?
These are questions which demand the
serious consideration Of every patriot and
Christian 10 weigh well. |, remains to
be seen whether the moral and religious
community Of Iowa will, by their coop
Grafton or connisanee, uphold or connie.
nance such debasing and demoralizing
scheme, fatal alike TO all true religion, TO
political liberty ard public morality. Be.
ware, protesting Christian! Reflect upon
the responsibility which rests upo you.
You are directly appealed to by these 20.
li,ical wire. p,,llers, To lend your aid and
influence 10 This scheme. 1t is for you, if
you will, 10 arrest tie tide which threat
ems TO de'uge. the land with immortality,
irreIigion and ,nociery ofreligions insti,u-
lions. You are slnn,berine over fearful
mine, and if you Iu'l yourself into sense
Of security, your children. at least, must
reap the terrible reward Of your culpable
indifference, Those who .'scw the wind
shall reap the whirlwind!" But we have
too much confidence in the intelligence
and integrity ef the den, mina,ion appeal
ed to by these political wire pnllers. with
view cfpresiiiu,irg the sacred mantle
of their religion TO 40 base use, 10 be-
lieve tha, they will participate. in OF coun.
,.enance the Isyolting dissertation.
Iowa CRY, March, 10, ls4s.
Mn. a. H. pALmER:
Dear Sir learn that report is in
circulation, that an agreement has been
entered into between the Rev. A. ].
Huestis and myself, by which he is 10 be
made my deputy in the event am cleo
ted as Superintendent. ! embrace this
opportunity Of saying, in justice to that
gentleman, that the charge il totally false,
Il ~. l. I