The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1850-06-19
PROsECUTION ZOE PREACmING.

ASOSACO ~ II AVN y OaS E-EkGACkHANSs u.
PATRICK HENRY rs INTOLERANCE. Soon
alter Henry's noted case Of tobacco and
The Preserves" as it was called, he heard Of
a case of oppression for conscience sake
The English church having been established
IN Virginia, become as all such establish
ments are wont TO do, exceedingly lnloler-
ant towards other sects, In prosecution Of
this system of conversion three Baptist cler-
gymen had been indicted al Fredercsburgh
Tor preaching the Gospel OF the Son of God
contrary TO the statute. Henry, hearing Of
this, rode some fifty miles to volunteer his
services in defence of the oppressed. He
entered the CO. &, being unknown to all
present, save the bench and The bar, while
the Indictment was being read by the clerk
lie sat within The bar until tie reading was
finished, and the kings attorney lad conclu
ded some remarks in support ofthe prosccup
Ilon, when he arose, reached out his hand for
the paper and without more ceremony, pros
ceeded with tho following speech:
"May it please your worships-I think |
heard read by the prosecutor, as entered the
house, the paper now hold in my hand II
l have rightly understood, the kings attorney
jot the colony has framed an Indictment for
the purpose of arraigning and Furnishing, by
Imprisonment, three noflensive persons be.
tore the bar Of this court, for a crime Of great
magnitude as disturbers OF the peace
May i! please the court what did | hear?-
Did 1 hear il distinctly or was it a mistake OF
my own? Did hear an expression as of q
crime, that these men, whom your worshps
are about to try for misdemeanor, are cbargec
with what?" and continuing IN low, solemn
heavy tone, 'p5eaching the Gospel of the
Son of God?" Pausing amidst the mos
profound silence and brealhlcss astonish
ment, he slowly waved the paper three time.
around his head, then lifting his eyes tc
Heaven, he exclaimed -"Good God!m The
exclamation, the burst of feeling from the
audience, were all oyerpowcring. Mr. Henry
resumed:
INLAY it please your worshps-in q da,
like this, when truth is ABOUT to be reused t(
claim its natural and inalienabIe rights
when the yoke of oppression that has reach
ed the wilderness Of America, and the un
natural alliance Of ecclesiastical and ciyi
powers, arc about to be discovered at sucI
a period when liberty of conscience is nbou
to awake from her slumbelings, and inquire
INTO the reason Of such charges as find ex.
hlbted here 10 day in this Indictment !''-
Another fearful pause, while the speaker al.
ternateIy cast bis sharp piercing eyes on the
court and the prisoners, and resumcd: az
| ! am not deceived, according to The contents
OF tho paper | now hold in my hand, these
men are accused Of preaching The gospel o.
the Son Of God, Great Godn' Another
long pause, while he again waved the indct.
mcnt around his head-whle deeper i'm
preston was made on the auditory. Resu
ming his speech:--
"Moy II please your worahips- there are
periods in the history of man, when cor
ruption and depravity have so long abased
the human character, the man sinks under
the weight Of the oppressor's hand--become
his servlle, his AFFECT slave, he lick the hant
that smiles him; he bows in passive obedi
ence to the mandates Of despol; and in ihi
state of serVity, he receives his letters O
perpetual bondage. But may it please you
worships--such a day has passed away.
From chat period when our fathers left tn,
land of their nativity for settlement in these
American wids, for liberty-for civil anC
religious libcrty-for liberty of conscience
to worship their creator according to the
own conceptions of Heavens revealed will.
| from the moment their feet were place.
upon the American continent and in thu
deeply imbeddcd forest, they sought an asy
lum from persecution and tyranny--fron
that moment despotism was crushed, The
letters of darkness were broken and Heavol
decreed that man should be free--free t,
worship God according to the Bible.
"Were it not for This, in vain were all th
sulteflngs and boodshed 10 subugatc thi
new world, it we, their offspring, must be op
pressed and prosecuted, but may il pleas
! your worships-- permit me 10 inquire ono,
more, for what are these men to be tried
This paper says for preaching the Gospel o
the Saviour 10 Adams fallen race" Ant
in tones Of thunder he exclaimed, "Vhd
law hare they piolated?" Whia the thir'
lime, in low, dignifed manner, he LITE,
his eyes to heaven, and waved the ndictmeR
around his head The court and the audi
ence were now wrought up to The mos
intense pitch of excitement. The face of tn
prosecuting attorney was pOIlid and CHASTITY
aud he appeared unconscious nat his who'll
frame was ngitated with alarm; while TIN
judge in tremulous voice, put an end Il
the scene, now becoming exceedingly pain
ful, by the auihoratys declaration, "SehrD
discharge those mea!"