Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-07-11
Talks like a Man If he is a Preach,


Rev. John A. Gurley. Of Cincinnati,
having lately presided at Fremont
meeting. the Enquirer. as usual. howl
ed pi,iously over the awful scene Of a
preachers's meddling in politics. Mr..
Gurley. in reply. answers that he had
for some time retired from the active
duties Of the ministry. on account Of
III health. but claims no privileges for
that. The enquirer, with charac,eris-
tic meanness. reiu'cs to publish Il. and
no wonder. The following Is the clos
ing part OF his letter. Il brealhes the
spirit Of christian and Of m Amer.
can citizen. Such men as Gurley can
be silsnced only BY appl, Ing the Dem
ooratic arguments tina, are likely 70 Sc.
cure Kansas to slavery. We love the
man who dares thus 10 speak. Mr..
Gurley Is an eminen. preacher Of the
Universalist persuasion:
"Now, sir. having said this much. |
take tho Liberty 10 add. that we're | u
preacher in actual service. ! would be-
no BoSp-nAS 10 any people, but would
denounce IN becoming terms. the at.
te,npts Of your political leaders to en-
slave Northern freemen. and crush the
liberties Of this great Republic. Du.
ring the last four months have. in
the quietude Of country home, read
almost erything In reference to Kan
ses and our Government, pro and con.
and do not hesitate 10 say, that n
more Internal outrage was never COM
mitted against the principles Of poli.i.
cal justice. and the rights Of humani-
". considering the aye We live in.
than our government has been guilty
Of In lie crusade against the people OF
that Territory. After having been
subjugst d by border ruiiians. robbers
and murders, the President has vir.
tually approved Of their acts. mas
much rs he sen; the military to shoot
down frremen for doing what bis Kan
sas Bill said they had a right u do.
What q humiliAting spectacle do we
present, as q nation, to the civilized
world I The Chief Of this .model
Republic OF America" has been. and
is now using the treasure Of the peo-
pie. and employing the arms and the
military power 10 execute a code OF
laws that make liberty Of speech "fel.
ony." and the freedom Of the press u
high crime---Iaws. the reading Of
which would almost make a Nero
blush Tor shame.
Talk about preachers keeping ST.
lence when such damnable deeds IRE
being committed under the name Of
law and trder--whrn men are strick-
en- down IL The Capitol Of the nation
for he expression u honest opinions.
and the hsh u the sIave-driver is
raised over their heads ! Talk Of 81
Ience when civil war RACES on our from
tiers, and the Republic itself is ID
peril Why. cir; what sort Of things
do you take preachers TO be ? Dumb
idols. stocks. stones. slaves, fools or
servants Of the Devil
Preacher or no preacher, sir. l
would cry out against such iniquiIy.
and spare not. though it should cost
me my life | Although always JET.
ferson and Jackson Democrat. (ihe
first vote my father ever gave was for
JriIerson). | say down Nth tho dss-
posism and tyranny Of the party now
in power, Or thv Iiber.ies Of the nation
ARE gone.
agree with you that II is beneath
the dignity Of the ministerial office to
engage in politics when the objest Is
the elevation Of men aud not princi-
pIes Of truth and justice. But any
man who can k, ep silence when he
knows what Is going on In Kansas and
Washington City, must have a heat
Of stonc. ft
In conclusion. sir. beg leave to
say that because love liberty and
hsfs opprsssion. I dare to dvnounce
the government n. Washington Ms
seeking the subjuga,lon Of Nh indus
,rious and free people. For the dec
larsIions l make In public and private.
l AIN alone rcsponsiblc--not my re-
ligious associates and frlrnds; and |
hide myself under no robes Of mlnis-
trrial dignity. ask 10 be treated as
freeman and citizen. That Is all.
Yours In MI Kindness