The weekly American banner. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1855-18??, 1855-08-17
AMERICAN BANNER.
4. B. MAYEs, PoMrIcAL EDITOR.
Friday Morning, Aug. II.
Rev. John WesIcy.

Rev. John Weslcys
In noticing the article ofssP Protestant in the |
Democrat of last week, we may be permitted to
return to him our thanks for the first kind re-
mark which has been publicly made concerning
us, since we have dared to advocate what we
conceive. it may be erroneously, to be the prin-
ciples of patriotism. He states that he believes
us "to be personally good man." which good
opinion we fear we deserve to but a slight ex-
tent. He proceeds to expresses the opinion that
we would rot willingly deceive the commune
ty,' in which he does us no more than justice.
From this iberality toward political adversa-
ry, we are led to believe that protestant" de-
serves the like compliment, though some of his
expressions are calculated to deceive the COM
munity. =
First, speaking of the American party, he
says that aA resort to the prestige of a great
authority with those Of denominational prejudi-
ces, is favorite mode of augmentation with
the truly anti-American humbug party With
out commenting on the closing phrases, we will
remark that all parties that have ever existed
have resorted to quotation from great authori-
ties, and il the American party produces more
of such quotations than any other. it is because
more great and good men have advocated their
principles in time past.
AS an instance of this kind of augmentation
Protestant cites the quotation of Wesley sfetter,
which he says, is ushered in s'with the beat of
drum and bugle blast" In the first place, there
is great propriety in quoting this letter because
it is not merely an erpression cfopinion by a
good man, but q powerful aud unanswerable ar
gument by great man, in favor ofone Of our
Important positions. Such arguments il b leg
itimate to adopt, wherever they may be found
and they must not be rejected because they car.
ry with them an additional weight from "the
prestige of great authority" In the second
place, a Methodist minister of high position ap
pealed to those of 'denominational prejudices,'
warning them 'by the shade of Wesley to have
nothing to do with the American party. Shouls
we not therefore call up that venerable shad'
and ask his counsel in this trying time? Hi
Shade appears, and argues the cause fthe grea
American party! He says that "no Roman
Catholic does, or can give security for his allie
, glance or peaceable behavior" and he prove
it by unswerable argument We ask ther
'-Shade of Wesley, cannot our country be saf
J unless the Roman Catholics are prosecuted fo
> their religion." He answers "Hold! Religio
is out of the question: but | would not hav
them prosecuted at all; would only have thel
v hindered from doing hurt" He adds, 81 plea
for the safety of your country; yea, for the chi
: dren that are yet unborn" sBut, Shade I
: Wesley, wereply, ethe Papists will give sec'
v rity for their peaceable behavior" He answer
o "They cannot while they continue Roman Cat
/ olcs; they cannot while they are members
y that Church which receives the DEGREES of Il
. Council of Constance, which maintains the 81
# ritual power of theB Bishop of Rome, or the dc
y trine of priestly absolution." Again we plea
I snay, but they will take an oath Of allegiance
If The Shade of Wesley replies "True, five hu
" dred oaths; but the maxim, No faith is to
s. kept with heretics,' sweeps them all away as
y e spiders web< He who acknowledges the dspes
. % ing power of the Pope can give no security
al his allegiance to any government Oaths a
promises are none; they are light as air;a q
ne pensaton makes them null and void. Nay, I
.st only the Pope, but even priest, has power
by pardon sins!" Such are the words of Wesle
ms and well may we all take warning by his wor
oi however free we may be from "denominatio
.t lprejudices." They are not addressed to Met
,e- dists alone, but to all rejecting men. He tt
ch tus we should sspersecute no man for his relgi
ne principles Let there be as sboundless fr
,.t dom in religion as any man can conceiv
ct He takes exactly the position of the Ameri'
party; and his warning deserves the more
lspect because he is not a heated politician, b
ded by interest or passion; but. eminent
pious divine, most liberal in b sentiments,
who had learned to put away all bitterness, y
all malice"
~ Next, Protestant says that our prints s.h
fully endorsed Ils, 1.-THE letters contents and
ine hold them to the endorsement :, We stI
without holding to the fullest extent Of the
dorsement. You, Mr.. Protestant refer tos
severe penal statutes against Rapists, as 7
ling to shoi1 what were the measures sanctie
re. by Wesley as . remedy for the evils Of Pap
and leave the public to infer that we end
- the penal laics by endorsing the letter. I
Is ttis not lead y '11vg1lle the community "
i extent Of ON endorsemo1(k : this--we
rse the argument of Wesley, fE5llE 81
lifical eosls attendant upon Popery, but nol
:. - ~ ,uy,;rl ~ 1-;f;.k ynxy