The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-03-14
An Instance.

Advocate, of the 9th u!t., the following
article dated at this place:
BRo. CLARK:-The providence of God |
so ordered my destiny that was born out
Of the limits OF the United States. While
yet mere lad, read Of the struggle OF
the heroes Of the Revolution for freedom;
nor did fail TO observe, that prominent
among their grievances. was the effort OF
their tyrannieal ruler to prevent the pop
ulating OF this country, by restricting the
emigration laws. traced them through
the varied scenes, from the first pistol
shot at Lexington. 10 the final consumma-
ton Of liberty at the siege Of Yorktown;
grieving at their defeats. and rejoicing a,
their success; saw Lafayette. De kalb.
Steuben, and others from every nation OF
Europe, battling side by side with Wash
ington, Green and Gates, prompted by
no motive bu, the love of liberty, hoping
for no reward but its triumph. In that
crisis there were none to charge that the
stain Of foreign birth polluted their souls;
they went down to their graves in peace,
rejoicing tina, by their blood and treasure
they had assisted in establishing on the
footstool of God. one asylum for the op-
pressed.
Inspired by their exsmp'es with an en-.
thusiastic love of liberty, and encouraged
by the noble generosity Of the American
people, emigrsted to this country at an
early age. and here ven,nred my all, OF
hope, fortune, and aspirations. You will
not think it strange, then, that become
unessy when see an Organization grow
ing up among US, whose object is to blight
my hopes, ruin my fortune, and forever
defeat my aspira;ions-when see the re.
,ligious presses OF the country fostering
and aiding this orgsn;zation-snd. it was
with regret ! learned that the Advocate
was among its apologis,s. Would not the
heroes OF the Revolution lie uneasy in
their graves If they knew their names and
their labors were perverted to accomplish
such an end? Would n OF their blood cry
out !or vengeance. being spilled for equal
rights. to be thus bartered Tor privileged
classes and brthrghls - the iniiiatory
steps to. aristocracvF
have taken an oath TO ''renounce tor
! ever all allegiance to any foreign prince
poientate or sovereignty whatsoever, aho
particularly TO the prince whereof was
formerly a subject" This oath makes II
perjury for me to claim any other country
than this for my home. And cen cal
: this home where am not nor ever car
be (should this order prevaiD recognized
8 as possessing full privileges of citizenship
!. am recognized as such by the laws an,
constitution, but this order contemnins
both the law and the constitution depriv
me of my rights. Caught in this trap
j. robbed of the privileges which were helt
- out to induce me TO swear allegiance L
this country, what place on earth may
9 call my home? | have renouneed, on m
l. oath, citizenship in all other countries
/. and am | then to be denied it in this
!. The Arabs or the Tartars might refuse I
; admit me to their rights. but even ,hel
- sense Of honor would forbid them thus
3 ensnare me. must be los, to every cour
" try, and every country lost to me, saw
that country where the arm Of man car
no, sway the scales OF Justice.
re | read my Bible in the language {
in Luther, and learned TO be Protestan
.. and from my Bible and Wesley | lesrne
= to be Methodist. No one asks ne
III disbelieve the Bible because it came fro
as Judea, Prolestantism because Luther WI
n, a German, or Methodism because Wesle
was an Eny nylishman. No one Eefuses N
a membership in the church because
u was born in foreign land. can Jo
a. them in praising God ior his favors, al
D.: Invoking his blessing on our country;
a, can commune with them at the sacrame
-, tai board. and yet,s refusing me a vot
: they will cast their ballot side by side wi
IT. the. vilest scoundrel that ever disgrace
oi the soil Son which heawas born. Mini
IS. ters of the Gospel denounce ms with {
: foreigners) from the sacred desk, and +
-, their proficiency in the work of the orde
are bribed TO abandon their professio
}" and mock the call Of God. bysenterir
en- the polluted arena Of polite al warfare; al
n, even endeavor to make the church subse
Went to their schemes. The lambs
9 God. which they were called upon to fee
n mus, be lei, to the mercy OF the woive
*. whilst they return TO the flesh pots
n Egypt" The voice which one day pr
an claims the unsearchable riches Of CHI,
a. from the sacred desk. on the next may
.rs seen wraDgling in Legislative halls or poll
to cal caucuses, about some scheme for par
aggrandizemen,
OF these things yea cannot but
eo aware. Many OF your correspondents a
les rejoicing at il, and yourself either col
all mending or silently acquiescing. no
ee for the sake of the church OF which a
gle member. for the sake of the reputa,i
no of the Advocate. as q religious journ
'rs and for the sake of Him whose cause
rec PROCESSES 10 sustain, that such things ma
Inc hereafter, meet the condemnation tn
es' merit. METHODIST.
WooDsr1ELD. Ohio, Feb IA, 1855.
LeV,l Q.,n,,lor Hhannm nnnn