The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-03-22

pledge, may demand of me that | should
bring the offender to the bar o. public opin-
ion, and from my own Judgment speak OF his
offence. But l cannot conceive how duty can
in any manner command of me that | shall
place myself in the position Of a spy or infor-
mer to any body of men, especially TO one
whose rules, regulations and ordinances are a
secret TO all not of themselves-and especial
ly too, when by thus acting, I should be vol
UNFAIRLY making enemies to myself and paper
of influential men probably, and men to whom
I am connected as friend and neighbor, and
recognize as patrons When become a Son
of Temperance, then it may devolve on me as
a duty to watch the private actions and re-
port the personal errors of a portion ofmy TEL
low-citiZens, but at present. [ emphatically
dispute and deny the right of any man or
band of men to place me in this position-or
in case ofmy refusal thus to occupy so con-
temptihle place. to form themselves into a
bar of public trial, wherein my voice may not
be heard, and pass judgment upon my action.
If it be necessary, | shall confidently appeal
from this TO the only bar which should be r, =
cognized by the Editor of public journal,
after receiving the approval of his own con
science-I mean the bar oil public opinion.
In reply, then, 10 your demand that shall
give up the names of those offenders 10 whom
| have made public allusion, which as a jour
nalist, have every right to do, knowing the
fact, or publicly state the charge was not in
tended TO apply TO any Of the members ofyour
Dvision-I have pledged you my word that
am acquainted with the names OF certaia o
these offenders but that do not feel myself
, called upon by duty nor does your demand
make it any more my Guty. 10 become an III
former on these. your brethren, or make my
, self spy for the Sons of Temperance
!, Whether these offending persons are members
OF your Division or not. is a question for the
, investigation Of its members, and to answer
which is none ofmy business.
In conc usion, gentlemen, permit me TO re-
mark, that in all have said publicly and il
this letter, have intended nothing in dsre
spect to your Order. or to those member.
: whose actions are consistent with their pledge
| recognise in the Order of Sons of Temper
ance an institution founded upon moral prin
: ciples, and capable Of much good. If there
r be anything evil in it, l can only recognise
1 such evil in the delnquencies OF unworthy o
! thoughtless members and in the foolish, over
= heated zeal OF a few, whom honestly believ'
do more injury to the Order by offending thr
! community, than those others, who by break
ing their pledges offend only their brethren
! and injure themselves
As find that it is generally known that
r Committee from your Division called upon III
5 t o obtain the names of recusant members, an
in anticipation of a similar call from the 9th
y er Division. ask Of you, that your reques
: and this reply may be sent to said Division
O there to be read if so desired.
With sentiments oil respect and friendship
O for you individually, gentlemen, and the sam
TO yom Order, remain
Very respectfully, yours,
A. Fl. SANDERS,
Tl;4o- Exy.,pH1,iila To:,r,a1