The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-28
Know No,h,nsism asnin,t the Me;hodists.

Know nottingham i -uiIst the neihodiSis.
II has been more than once stated that
know nothngism, in its free use of religious
prejudice and bigotry to strengthen its arm,
is as ready, in localities where Mcthodism,
or presbytcrianism, or any other religious
denomination is unpopular, 10 direct its en-
gincry against such denomination, as against
the Catholics. We have now the proof Of
this in pamphlet, which is commended and
endorsed by the know nothing organ in
Washington city, and which, written by
an ayowcd "Amcricau,' Las for its Oh
jet to prove that the Methodist church
ought not to be tolerated in free country.
Wcbcg to call attention to the following OK
tract from this pamphlet
"But again-thc very organization of the
Methodist Episcopal church is dangerous to
| the liberties Of u free people. Suppose a
| crisis arrive in political action, in which the
| hierarchy of the Methodist church is inter
cstcd. From the dependence OF all parts on
one great central power, it Is easy to per
cciyc how the suffrage Of most of the mem
bers may be controlled by the bishops. Let
the bishops suggest to the presiding elders
| that the interests of their ecclesiastical dcS-
potism will he subservcd by the election ola
certain set Of men to Office the presiding
elders use their influence over the preach
crs, the preachers over the class leaders, and
| the class leaders over their class membcrs,
and thus the balance Of power in political
contests may rest in the hands Of Z Episco-
pal Methodist bishops. There is as much
danger of this, as there is Of Ramnnism &C
complishing similar result; provided the
occasion requires it. 1t may be said that
the members of the Methodist Episcopal
church are too independent to be thus iniu-
enccd but while they submit to the dcgra-
dation to which have shown they are sub
jected in church matters, let them not speak
of independence in political matters. Let
them become enthusiastically free, and then
it may be hoped that they would dare to be-
come politically free if the bishops undertook
to prevent IT.
81 have thus briefly shown that Episcopal
Mcthodism is anti -American in its spirit and
tendency and that it is dangerous foe to
rcpublicanism. have shown that its origin
is usu,patjoa-that its very organization
provides for the support and extension Of
assumed power, and that this power may be
opprcssiycly exercised without restriction.
| have shown that Methodist EpiscopaCy
contains in itself the very elements Of an
absolute dcspotsm and therefore must ulti.
mately, unless checked, subvcrt and destroy
our republican institutions. In doing this !
have uttered no harsh cpitheis. have in
stituted nothing against the scripturalnoss of
Methodist doctrines, or the picty and gOdli-
ness of Methodist members. have simply
spoken Of the government of the church,
The time has come when Ancricanism and
Romanism are arraycd in hostile attitudes.
Remember that you are not prepared TO
stand by Americanism while you are the
subjects of hierarchy. The taunt will come
with irresistible force, from the yassalS OF
the Popc,-"ls dcspotisn any more sinful or
dangerous in the Roman church than the
Methodist;" o! then be Americans-bc
frccmen-throw off your ecclesiastical
chains, and then you will be prepared con
stantly to aid your fellow couutrymcn in
breaking the ecclesiastical despotism with
which Rome has bound her ignorant and de.
graded subjects
The whole history Of political persecution
shows that whenever one denomination en-.
courases the political prescription Of anoth
err the same weapon is sure in the end to be
turned against itself There are perhaps nc
religious societies against which some plaus
able prctcN. might not be found for a politi
cal crusade.