Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-02-05
poL1r1os ANp &C.,.
East TrursssEE, Jan. 1851


Editors Utdoh q American !:
The public has been informed through the col
umns of the Knoxville Wing that the democracy
within the limits of Sweet Water circuit which
embraces portions of Roane, Meigs MeMlnn ana
Monroe counties, have prominently evneed their
determination not to hear or support any preacher
of the pospsl who endorses the principles OF the
American or Know Nothing party; and in Pursu'
sncs thereto, had wsged special war against
Mr.. DuQpan, the preacher in charge, assigned by
the conference for that circuit, seeking his removal
alone on account Of his not being democrat;
and that Mr. Fleming, the predecessor of Mr.. D.,
had been prescribed by the same people, simply
on account of his son being the editor of an Amer
icsn paper. The editor of the Wing then pro-
eeeds TO give list Of prominent dgntsries who
be affirmed had been prescribed by the democratic
party, which he deuominated 'trlsth dstyiRg God.
provoking, Hen deserving organization" And then
to show that democratic com muuities can be sup
piled alone with preachers entertaining anti-dem-
ocrstic principles, the editor of the Wing states
that Of the lO7 preachers Of the Holston Confer
ence not more than 10 are democrats that Of the
ruling elders and preachers of the Presbyterian
Synod of Tennessee, which convened ct Athens
in October last, only four were democrats, or b.
cbanan Signifies that at the Cumberland Presby-
terian Synod, which convened at Lebanon, Tenn,
in October last, there were but six democrats that
but one Episcopalian preacher, who was demo-
Crat was ever heard Of and he wac expelled
for immoral conduct that at the general assoca-
ton Of the Missionary Baptist church, in McMinn
county, in October last, there were but two dem
ocrats and at last that the Hardsbell Baptist
church was the only enc which could properly
furnish the corrupt democrats with spiritual minis
tratiou.
Now, know it is true that but little reliance,
in general, is placed on statements coming from
the aforementioned source; but as portion Of the
foregoing statements were co communicated by q
private letter, designed for the public eye,) 8
statement certain facts are due, not only to the
community referred to, but to public generally
A member of the Presbyterian Synod, in q card
published in the UNION AND AMERICAN of Decem-
ber has shown, first, that the subject of politics
was in no manor mentioned in that religious as.
sembly, and second, that instead of only four Of
the elders and preachers being democrats, there
were not less than twenty-six. I presume that
the other statements of numerical strength given
in connection with that of the Presbyterin church
upon investigation, would be found equally IN
| true.
The following authentic statements wish to
give in connection with the foregoing, that the
public may have fair opportunity to Judge of the
facts for themselves,
In the first place, instead of the charge against
Mr.. Dugg an being as reported by the Why it was
| this: For denying tEat he sgaS member Of the
K1OV Nothing party-Ot5srl0iss knO,0n as The Amer
lean party, or the Star gpanglsd Banner whilst
the community were advised that be lOaS a mem.
ber and had even gone 80 far IS to administer the
| K. N. oath To divers persons. Upon this, issue
was Joined, certificates from men of high standing
and undoubted verscity were produced on the lob
of January, the time eta ed for the investigation
| which certificates verified, first that Mr.. D. hsd
sdninist cred the oath of the Ist degree Of know.
nothingism (cslled the floating degree) to then
| Che persons osrtifyingJ and second, that Mr.. D
had positively denied being member of the Know
Nothing party, SO called and known. On the pre-.
sentstiOa Of these certificates, Mr.. Dugan acknowl
/ edged that he had conferred the degree stated up
on the persons certifying, and had registered thei
lanes in book kept, for that purpose; that be
had received the degree, or had the oath referred
TO, conferred upon him by Dr.. GiviDg5; but that
be did not regard or believe himself a member O.
tie party, inssmuch he had never belonged to OIL
been in a council; and that after be had conferred
the degree upon six persons, upoa ref sci1n be
thought the thing to be wrong, drawing an i'm,
! proper restraint around the initiated; that b.
dropped the matter, cut the names of the six per
sons from his book and advised them Of the fsct-
| Upon these Acknowledgements aud statements, tht
parties complaining professsd, in some degree, Il
be satisfied, and expressed their willingness thai
Mr.. Duggan might proceed in the discharge of thu
duties of his charge. As to Mr.. Duggan's mora
proposition, l will here make no comment, leaving
the public to determine as to the caste of the ETH
cal code estab lished by the deduction.
Ia the second place, the same community, it j
true, expressed considerable degree of dissstis
faction az to Mr.. fleming referred to rot tina
they, in any sense, wished to deny him the priv
lege Of freeman, of entertaining, in full meas
ure, political sentiments and voting in accordance
Herewith; but they believed that the cloak Of tn
jealous and excited political psrtizsn should not b
worn beneath the mantle of the minister of Christ
have thought proper to furnish the foregoing
authentic facts, and although totally disconnected
with the difficulty referred to, yet desire. to SCI
justice done an honorable and Christian community
ONE VINO Knows
CONTEMPLATION
| OvVpToy CorgTy lam 81 1887