The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-08-06
THE QUESTION DECIDED.

The Real Principles of the Profess
sed Lovers Of l. liberty Free Speech
Free Th0ught and Free Action.
EXeulpIilicd ian Practice.
The following, clipped from the Cincinnati
Commercial of the 12th shows the deplorable
condition of the church when it forgets its true
calling and dabbles in the political stries com
mon to our free institutions. No power on
earth can become so corrupt and tyrannical as
the Church misguided Happy the day for this
nation when there shall be more fervent pray
er and far less hypocritical philanthropy in the
church. Read it:
a DEACON EXPELLED FROM CHURCH FOR NO-
TING FOR BUCHANAN.--The Grand Rapids( Mic.)
Inquirer contains full report of the trial. con-
vcton and expulsion from the church, of Dea-
con G. 2. Stebbins, ofthe town of Alpine in
that county. He was the first deacon of the
church to which he belonged--tke Freewill
Baptist. 1t appears that soon after the Presi-
dental election two elders addressed Deacon
Stebbins a letter, in which he was informed
that he was charged with CRIME, and the ad
monished him to clear himself the accusation.
They say:
lst 1t is an established fact that there are
two principles in open and active opposition to
each other, viz:-slavery and liberty; and it is
deemed that you, in opposition to your coven-
ant obligations and professed love of liberty,
have, so far as action is concerned, supported
the system, principles and power of slavery.
2nd. 1t is an established fact that the office
of Deacon is second to but one in that kingdom
that Christ set up in this world, and that Gov
ernors Of States, kings of nations, and Presi
dents of the United States, and the offices they
FILL are of less note than the deacon in Christ's
church and the Office he fills.
Soon after he was furnished with list of the
charges brought against himi and after long
and tedious investigation, the council reported
as follows;
SPARTA, Feb 4, 1857.
The council appointed by the Grand Rapids
@. NJ Conference to meet with the Alpine and
Sparta church, having examined the testimony
presented relating to the case of Deacon u. B..
Stebbins, present the following decision:
Charge 1, Deception
That, in our opinion, is not sustained
2. Unchristain conduct.
Sustained, but removed by confession, except
the last specification viz: the accusation against
the church at the public meeting, which de-
mands a mole full rctracton and confession.
3. Publicly declaring that he would support
slavery.
Not sustained as far as statement is concern
ed, but so far as his act IN voting for Buchanan,
he has thrown his influence in favor OF slavery.
f. G. GILhEY, Chairman.
N. X. EVANS, Clerk
The FrecwlI Baptist church of Alpine and
Sparta after the Council of Ministers from the
quarterly meeting had examined the above char
geS against Deacon g. p Stebblns, and eNhon-
Grated him from them all on his explanation and
| Investigation, not satisfied, called Mr.. Stebbins
tl, ,,ln
on all charges preferred against hiri save voting
for Mr.. Buchanan for President of the United
States, excluded him for that one act by ma
jorty Of one.
| The facts upon which the charges are founded
are as follows:
| In the fall of 1856, previous to the Pfesidon-
tial election, dissatisfaction took place in the
church abont Stebbins voting; he has been
known rs democrat in the town of Sparta, ~
man that decidedly supports the Constitution Of
the United States At this period Elder Eras-
tus w. Norton asked him if he voted the liber-
ty ticket. lie said he did. Simeon Rouse
asked him who he was going to vote for Presl-
dent; Stebbins did not Immediately answer
Rouse says, "Gou are not going to vote Tor sa-
very are you?' Stebbins replied "No," and
travelled on, as he had met Rouse in the road.
For these answers he was charged with decep-
sion.
Slebbins admitted that he had made the an
sWels, but defended himself aS follows:
First. That the Democratic Ticket which
he did vote, supported the most liberal princ-
pies of any ticket now IN vogue. That it gives
to all new States, when annexed, or at the time
Of annexation the liberty to frame their own
constitution as best suited them, only it should
BE- in keeping with the constitution of the Uni
ted States--it might be in favor of slavery or
not. He believed the democratic principles and
influence to be anti slavery. 70 prove this, he
says that all the States that ever abolished it
under democratic administration, which is un-
deniably So lie also maintained that slavery
now covered less territory, in proportion to that
embraced in the United States, than it did when
tae colon es entered into compact for the pur-
pose OF protection against foreign foes; that at
the time there was but one e-thirteenth part free
Massachusetts being the only free State at
that time. And now, out of 81 there are Sin
teen free States.
Hc was also charged with saying publcly
that he would support slavery, which they did
not and could not prove. Election came ON,
and he feeling it his duty, voted for Mr.. Buch-
anan. Consequentlyas by the chief priests and
elders, the Savior was brought before Pilates
BAR so by the chief Priests and Edwin, was he
brought before the Judgement seat Of Sparta
and Alpine Freewill Baptist Church.
He pleaded guilty to voting for Mr.. Buchan-
an, and upon that charge was expelled rom the
| oh