M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1855-03-23
UnparaIIeIed scoundreIism.

dens are now plot ing against any and
all denominations that will not bow to
their behests. Read:
Know NoTHIEGIsM AGAINST THT
METHODIST CHURcH.-rhe Trenton [ N.
J. J american says;
"We published the startling fact some
time ago that Know Nothingism had al
ready directed its machinery to the de-
struetion Of the Methodist Church. Sat.
isfed that they had already silenced the
rights of conscience OF all who are mem
bers Of the Catholic Church, this mon
strous foe TO freedom oi thought, are
seeking with the rapscity Of Wolves,
for other objects to glut their inquisi.
torial appetite. We mentioned in CUP,
port of our assertion that a pamhlel had
been written by member OF one Of the
American order to prove that the
Methodist Church ought not TO be toler-
aIed ir free country. Some friend has
forwarded us a copy Of this pamhlet,
which we will take pleasure in loaning
to any Of our Methodist brethren. But
to prove more conclusively thai we are
right in our assertion we call attention
to the following extract from this
pamphlet;
But again--the very organization Of
the Meihdist Episcopal Charch is
dangerous to the liberties OF free peo.
Pile. Suppose crisis arrive in political
action, in which the hierarchy OF
the Methodist Church is Interested
From the dependence Of all parts on one
great central power, it is easy to per
cevie how the suffrage Of most OF the
members may be controlled by the Bish.
ops. Let the bishops suggest to the
presiding elders that the interest of thier
ecclesiastical despotism will be subserv.
ed by the election OF a certain set of
men to ofhce:--the esiding elders use
their influence over the preachers. the
preachers over the class leaders, and the
class.leaders over their class members,
and thus the balance Of power in po.
litical contest may rest in the hands Of
seven Episcopal Metodist Bishops
There is as much danger Of :his, as,there
is Of Romanism plishing similar
result; provided the occasion requires it.
II may be said that the members Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church are too in.
dependent to be thus influenced; but
while they submit TO the degradation 10
which have shown they are subjected
in Church matters let them not speak
oil independence in political matters.--
Let them become ecclesia sticslly free,
and then it may be hoped that they
would dare to become politically free il
the Bishops undertook to prevent it.
l have thus briefly shown that Epis.
copal Metodism is anti. American in its
spirit and tendency, and that it is a
dangerous foe to republicanism. have
shown that il had its origin in usurpa
tion--lhat its very organization provides
for the support and extension OF assum-
ed power and that this power may be
oppTessi'ely exercised without res;ric.
tion. have shown that Methodist
Episcopacy contains in itself the very
elements of an absolute desputism, and
therefore must ultimately, unless check.
G,subvert and destroy our republican in.
stitulions. In doing this, have utter
ed no harsh epilhets. have insinuat.
ed nOthing against the scripturalness Of
Methodist doctrines, or the piety and
9odlness OF Methodist members.
have simply spoken of the government
Of the Church. | have spoken as an
American citizen; and call on every
true American in the Methodist Church
to use his influence to effect radical
reform in this matter. The time has
come when Americanism aud Roman
ism are arrayed in hostile attitudes.-
Remember that you are not prepared to
stand by Amsricanism while you are
not prepared TO stand by Americans sin
while you are the subjects of hirarchy
The taunt will come with irresistible
force, from the vassals of the Pope. is
despoiism any more sinful or dangerous
i'll the Ro omish Church than the Metho.
dis'?' o! thea be Amercans--be free.
men - throw off your ecclesiastical
chains, and then you will be pre- pared
consistently to aid your fellow country.
men iE breaking the yoke of ecclesiasti.
cal despotism with which Rome has
bound her ignorant and degraded sub.
jects."
The whole history OF religious perse.
cution shows that whenever one demon.
ination encourages the political pros.
cription of another. the same weapon is
sure in the end to be turned against it.
self. There are perhaps no religious so.
cieties against which some plausible
pretext migh not be found for a politi-
cal crusade.
Important 10 POStmaStpN and 10 the Public.