Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-06-02


was regular Baptist preacher or
that he had any right 10 dictate 20 the
people OF Indiana what course they
should pursue in regard TO how they
should vote on the subject,
Supper over, the debate was renew
ed by Prof. f., who. during the inter
val, had putin his pocket what in
some quarters, has been considered as
legal evidence to prove that the holder
thereof WAS regular Baptist preach. .
err" Of the Old School. lie insisted
on Elder r. treating him with the
usual courtcsyof geutlcmen--he hoped
Elder T.. would rslncmber chat they
were both Baptist preachers. and
should, in this discussion. show that
respect for each other which the audi
cnce would approve Of, and which
would be consistent with their profess
sion. Elder Thompson. with great
bitterness. proclaimed Prot f. an i'm
postor, and descended 70 the most
abusive epithets in order to SET the
audience against Prof Fish; indeed
this speech consisted chiefly Of abuse
there was but little or no argument
even attempted,
/ have often Witnessed discussions
and repartees exhibiting talent Of a
high order, and ready wit OF the keen
est blade, but never. ! think, has it
been my privilege TO h',en to better
speech or witness a richer scene than
the closing argument Of Prof. F.
Prof. r., 10 his peculiar tone, refer
red the congregation TO the course
pursued by his venerable opponent
he reminded them of the many hard
things Elder + had said OF him
''and now" continued lie. "hc says I
am not regular Baptistpreacher and
calls for my credentials; he does not
believe I can show any, aud therefore
he has t1ld YOU I was an impos.er.--
Now" said Prot. T.. ia his every PEI
culiar manner, IL have credentials
with me; but you know il Is not very
| pleasant Tor a man to have to show his
credentials 10 prove Tint heisa a Baptist
preacher / sometimes do shown,ine
though I.don't always like 10 DO 10;
and, 1 suppose, that on lhis occasion
must show them. OF my venerable
opponent and his friends here In the
audience, will not consent to noknowI
edge me asa regular Baptist preacher.
have dom here IN my pocket, and
viii beg the pat ence Of the assembly
while exhibit them" and then, with
a very Serious air, the Professor run
his hand into his pocket, and pulled
ont something nicely wrapped up in
a white handkerchief. which he slowly
unIoldod The audience was all
expectation, and were evidently taken
by surprise, for when they discovered
that these credentials was a pint ,Rask,
with something reddish in it, they
came near going into COMMISSIONS =
"Now," sid the Professor, as soon
rs tbs laughter wonld permit him to
b. hcnd. 'won't yoa admit that \
am regular Baptist preacher?" Mem
con--and having thus fully proved his
claim to be regular" he broke
forth into stream of argument and
animadyersion upon his whisky-dc-
Tending foe. which could not be COM
pared TO anything but the mountain
torrent that comes from its lofty bed
with resistless force. bearing everything
before it, The victory was the most
complete lever witnessed in any dis
cussion in the history of nay remem-
brance. Elder I. was unable to con-
sumo but fifteen minutes of his last
half hour; aud even those minutes
were used up in talking about the
.'pint flask" the very mention of which
could not bat convulSc the assembly.
They tried, but they couldn't help It.
Itis said some laughed all night; and
now. at any time, the sight Of a ''pint
flask" draws their faces all into con-
tortions. Everybody says the Fish
swallowed Jonah this time, sure,
w. w. HrBBEN.