Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-10-23

Tor Fremont not vote at all, to which l re
piled that held that was morally boun
to vote and it was as much my privilege a
his to exercise the right of voting, and if
was spared to the time of the election an
able TO be ther e,T weuld vote for Buchanan
But, Mr.. Wishart, remarks in his com
munication, that if you substitute restriction
of Slavery, instead of dissolution of tn
Union, you will then have what did state
Now in reply to that, for the cause of trutl
and Righteousness am compelled to con
tradict my Reverend .rieLd, and say tina
such worGs were not uttered by him or any
other person in my hearing. But Mr.. Wish
art goes on to state, the position which
then mentioned is that no person can con
sistently commune in our Church who in
tends to do anything to promote the exten'
tion of Slavery, or who believes it should
be extended Now in answer to these words
| do say unreservedly tina: they were part
of the public intimation from the pulpit,
and not what passed between US in presence
of the Session tine reader NAV easily see the
object of these remarks, they were to throw
stumbling block, in my way to commun-
ion, for he Mr.. Wishart holds, and SO stated
that the democratic party to which | belong
or, with which have acted for thirty one
years is in favor of Slavery extension Mr.
Wishart is no: satisfied with being pulpit
politician but he presses himself upon the
public in the Newspapers in which he says,
Ss,b III prof.,coian hind, oil
lawful means to remove Slavery where it
is" This means 1 suppose that ne feels
bound to abolish Slavery in the States and
he is himself the Judge of the means. Dir.
Wishart ought to know that as long as
these states remain united nder the Con-
stitution, there is no means Of removing
Slavery from the States except in his way
by a dissolution of the Union.
The import of the published remark il
about the same as made to me.
Mr. Wishart goes on to remark further:
81 nay also state said he, that in nv remarks
referred to the objection urged by some
that the restriction Of Slavery must cause a
dissolution OF the Union. My answer to
this, said he,was that on the supposition that
il be true still, (now mark) We ought not to
do anything to extend SlaveryHs that would
be doing evil that good may come"
Now the evil in this sentance is the ex
tension of Slavery, tire good dissolution of
the Union, if any proof was wanting OF the
sentiments of Mr.. Wshart upon this subject
it is Lot necessary to 60 further than his
published opinions. They in my judgment
amount to about the same as he expressed
to me.
believe have replied as far as necessary
to Mr.. Wishart's article | would now state
to my Christian friends and community at
large, that have been consistent and re-
gular member Of the Unity Congregation, of
which this same Mr.. Wishart is the pas tor
at this time, for thirty years, and | have
never been cited to appear before the Ses-
sion upon any charge in all that time, but
retained my membership in the most perfect
harmony with all the brethren, until this
Ar. .Wishart took charge ofthe congregation,
some nine or ten years ago, shortly after
which he commenced his iron rule. You
will recollect eight years ago, Gen. Cass,
Z. Taylor and M. Van Buren were the cah-
didates for Presidency. Mr.. Van Buren
was then the Freesoil candidate; but my
self and one other members voted for Mr..
Cass, and some members of the Session
voted for Mr.. Taylor. Shortly after the
election the communion took place in our
and on the Saturday prepara
tory to commune, when the Session con.
vened, resolution was drawn up condemn
\ myself and other member that voted for
Cass, for having voted for shareholders and
candidates, whilst some members
of said Session voted for Taylor, yet the
vote of the Session was unanimous in con-
demnng me and my friend.
If the Cristian Church can Withstand the
assaults o! the pulpit ouirages of this day, it
may be regarded as entirely secure against
any attack from its open enemies. CThe Sd
verse of the Goth chapter of Proverbs is pecu-
liarly applicab lie to all these ecclesiastical
Now, in conclusion, will say, this is the
first time in my lite, that | have attempted
to appear in the public papers as writer,
and assure you. it was not a matter of
choice but OF necessity with me, as | feel
myself beuEj to defend my character wher-
ever assailed, and more especially when |
am charged with falsehood. for boldly chal-
Ienge the world to impeach my character
for honesty truth and varacity.
JOHN BlCKHAM.