Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-09-10
BURNING PAPERS IN VIRGINIA.

I The Religious Telescope is religious nawpapeI
published at Circlevc in this state, as the organ o
the Church Of the "Cnited Brethren in Christi
II is mildly but decidedly Onti-slavcry in it's char,
acter A large number of the members Of the
Brethren Church." reside in Virginia. and of
course some Of them wished to take and read the
official organ of their church. But il seems tho
sovereignty Of the Old Dominion, has stepped in be-
tween these people and their rights Of conscience
Ihe Ieieseope has been publickly burned by the
Post Master at Chenille Va, by order of the Mag
istrate. The worthy functionary gives the follow.
ing releshingy cool account of his proceedings in
this case
GLrNvILLE, Va
Mn. JOIN LAWRENCE --Sir:--I feel it my duty as
Deputy Post Master, to inform you that your paper
called Religious Telescope il one OF such character
as cannot be distributed in the State Of Virginia.
Nothing ofan abolition character can under the
laws of this State be put in circulation. was sor-
ry to learn upon inspection of your paper that it
contained violent abolition articles such as are in
direct violation of thu laws ofthis State which sub
oct the editors and circulators ofall such document
oimprigonment in VIC State pcnitcut;uIy for notess
I
duty under the law to inspect all such papers and
have the same burned. And your paper being
found upon examination to DO OF The above char
actcr, consigned OH last Satprday TO the flame.
in the presence and bv tho direction Of sho Mngis
uUtc a copy Of your paper has been retained in
this office and will be before the grand jury Of our
county at the next Circuit Court. Yours, &c.
W. E. HERENpoN p. NJ
There is = somewhat ontiquoted document called
the Constitution Of the United States, which is os-
tonsibly the supreme law fthe land which pres
cribcs that the freedom of thought and of the press
shall not be abridged. There is still moro anti
quated book called the bible, which some folks pro-
ess 10 regard as containing the code of Gods high
er law, Of whose, statutes runs this wiser
"Frore all things, hold fast that which is good,
The authority Of both these documents seems to be
at a discount among the higher civilized and en-
lightcncd denizens Of the "Old Dominion" 1t
seems that certain W. E. Hcrcndcn, p NJ, is con.
science keeper for that portionof the people resi-
ding in the favored vicinity OF GCnvillo Va. By
the law it is Mr.. Hs "day to inspect" all publica-
tons ola certain character, and "havc the same
burned" Three cheers for the freedom Of speech
anu VI press IN oll NllglnlH We suggest res
pectfully that all tmid people who find it quite a
trouble to exercise the rghtto think and act for
themselves, cmgrotc at TO the enlightened re-
gions surrounding "Glenville Va" where they may
be freed from all responsibility of exercising this
embarrassing right; and place their conscience in
tho paternal keeping Of Mr.. "W. L. Ierenden p.
NJ" and "The Magistrate" his worthy colleague.
We think it altogether probable thatif they have
protestant newspaper at "Glonvillo Va" it is a.
bout this time, filed with dennnciotiono piping
hot, against the Catholics of all countries, for the
awful crime of consigning protestant books and pa
pers to the famcs.--Fice Presbyterian.