Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-05-26

have the right TO assemble to discuss religious
or civil topics, and he who dares invade such
right will be held responsible. Mr.. Handy
said he did not know Mr.. kirkland, the gentle
man upon whom this outrage was personally
committed, nor did he desire particularly to
know him, for it is the principle involved for
which we are centending, and for which we
will ever war. . ..
Rev. Mr.. Presty, pastor of the Associate
reformed church, on Sixth street, (Presbyteri-
an) was loudly called for and vocilerously ap-
plauded on taking the stand. He commenced
by reinarking that he was placed in peculiar cir
cumstances; he had not expected to be called on
otherwise he should probably have remained at
home. But being called out he felt that he
would be recreant TO his duty as a minister of
the gospel and an American citizen is he held
his tongue. The right which has been denied
Tree citizen is sacred principle of nature, and
was established in this country by our fathers.
Y ou might as well engrate to Austria as be
subservient TO this newly-exercised power
The excitement that he witnessed he considered
had its origin in the recent city election and had
been famed into flame by circumstances sinec
transriring. Many Of his audience, he thought,
had not duly estimated the vast interests involved
in that election, or its result would have been
widely different. He was sure that the people
had they known Mr.. Snelbaker as the man he
had just proven himself to be- would have repu-
dated him as vile thing, civily, socially and
politically. The question comes up-shall we
speak our sentiments on all proper occasions, re-
gardless of polltico-religious assumptions OF
power, or shall we have them rammed down our
throats2 He did not know anything about Mr..
kirkland, and it was not important TO know who
or what Mr.. X. was, or where he came from; it
was sufficient 10 know that the liberties of the
people had been stabbed through him. This is
a Upas tree; if you do not cut it down now, it
will spread far and wide, and take deep hold
VIII you eradicate it7-Sa vOice-'yes, we
will tear it up by the roots.") That is the way
to do it, said the Rev. gentleman, but not by
physical force.
The clergy of the land ask fair field and no
favor. Challenges were standing in various
journals Of the land, but they were not accept
ed. Dr. Rlce's proposition of few weeks
since will not be accepted. Bishop Purcell
took one erroneous step in this matter, some
years since, and he will never take another
The question is not one Of religion simply, but
of civil rights, which as Americans we are
boun to maintain, not i'll physical force, pray
you, but in peace. We have the right to speak,
and he who Interferes is the riotous man, the
man who must be suppressed, and upon whom
must rest all the responsibility of resulting con-
sequences.
Sunday before last our Mayor looked
upon Mr.. Kirkland as pigmy, but in one
short week he has grown TO be a perfect
giant Wonderful man Wonderful Mr..
Snelbaker! So he sent him polite note
Ito its Kings English he would not refer
laughter), telling him he must not speak,
and the consequence you all know.
Mr.. Snebaker had great regard for the
Sabbath, but the noise OF half a dozen
bands of music, and five thousand Catholics
marching in the street on that day was not
sacrlegc in his official eyes. Nay, but
those five thousand stalwart men were
projected in their doings by the whole po-
lice force of the city. 1t amounted to this:
Provided you are headed by a Catholic
Bishop you have right TO march where
you please on Sunday, or any other day;
but don't go to decloming against Catho-
lies in the market spaces, or you will be
pulled down by the authorizes
The speaker said that he was informed
Mr.. Kirkland is determined TO speak again
on next Sunday, and thousands say he shall
speak, and if the Mayor with his police
force attempts to pct him down-what
then (Shouts of kill him off Kill the
scoundrelsD No, brothers, friends, fellow
citizens, protest, against that. Don't hill
them; there is better way than that-it
is to impeach the Mayor. Stand by the
laws Of your country, and make him yield
10 them. There is law 10 reach the Sena-
tors of the United States, or the President,
~ nd ip,p ppaph than onH ~ ic f., hipr
Iif there is no law 10 reach so contemplate
thing as the Mayor Of Cincinnati.
We have here a pretty state of things,
and how did IL all originate! BY an uujus;
claim Of the Roman hierarchy. They ask
their share of the school fund.- They have
made objections TO our schools merely as
an excuse. They asked the introduction of
the Douay Bible, and when it was granted
they were disappointed. They wanted 10
be prosecuted, and get grab at the public
treasury. They do not want only the taxes
they pay, but their ratio in regard to nun.
Der OF children. How is il with the poor
fund. They pay one.tenh and Protfstaats get
one tenth They think because they have
itall their own way in Austria, France,
Spain and Italy, they can "come il" here
too; but they will fad they have "waked
up the wrong passenger"
The Rev. gentleman, in conclusion, allu-
led 10 Pope having once put his foot
upon the neck Of King That religion
meyer changes Will you allow the
Pope to put his fool on your necks | be-
Iiieve he now has i; on Mayor Snelbaker's.
The whole speech of Mr.. Prestley was
received with great applause-almosi every
/ L., L.