The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-05-28

Father Scholte, Of the Pella Gazette, has the
reputation Of being an honorable politician,
and Is looked upon as about the farest expo
lent of the principles Of modern Democracy
in the State Of Iowa. But by rec ding the two
leading editorial articles in his issue Of May
21st, we are forced to the conclusion either
that his reputation for fairness is accidental
and unfounded, or else that he has seen better
days, that from being fair and honorable pol
itician he has fallen to the position of petit
logger and caviller.
In some remarks upon the new Constitution,
after discussing the bank question-to which
discussion we do not object--he says "the
people Of Iowa ought to reflect upon these
things before they throD Themselves into the
abyss Of amalgamatiom for the sake of getting
banks. If sound banking system could be
adopted--not connected with negro equaliza-
tion-we would not resist the attempt, but en-
courage the experiment" This is simply a
reiteration Of the old Islander about the Geo.
dicil," which has been so often told and re-
futed that it is altogether worn out, and was
beginning to get dusty from disuse. If Father
Scholte has read the new constitution, he knows
very well that il does not contain ssamalgama-
ton" doctrines; that the only ground which
has ever existed for such charge is the SEQ
dicil," which he ought to know is distinct
from the Constitution entirely, and is to be
voted upon by separate ballot. Fairness,
surely great fairness, for which Father Scholte
has reputation, would lead an editor in COM
nenting upon the Constitution to inform his
readers Of the grounds upon which he sees fit
to prefer the charge Of abolitionism.
In another article Of the same issue he uses
the following language: "What then shall
they (the Republicans) next harp on ? Polyg-
amy? But here the images of Kalloch and
couple of other aboltionist clergymsn, rise in
defiance of their eloquent thunders against
fostering immortality. and the party cannot ap-
proach this fruitful subject without denoun-
cling their foremost leaders.o Father Scholte
lays claim, we believe, to the title of scholar
and reasoner, which we grant him, but to con-
denim class for thu sins Of an individual of
that class, to charge immortality upon the Re-
publican clergymen Of the country because
Kalloch was guilty, is neither sound nor hon.
orable discussion. And Father Sholte, last of
oil men, should use such an argument, for it is
a point urged with great force against Native
Americanism, that though very many foreign
ers are unfit to exercise the right of suffrage,
there are many others of the same class VIII
are estimable and useful citizens, AMI to pro-
scribe the latter because Of the un6tness Of tI,e
former would be manifestly unjust.
Father Sholte occupies position from which
he wields an extensive influence. The COM
munity in which he lives is composed, to a
great extent, Of adopted citizens. He is a lead
or among them, and they look to him for adj
vice; lie is their teacher in our laws and in
stitutions, and he exercises great control over
them. Is he not false to them and to his adop-
ted country when he misrepresents SO impor-
tant an instrument as a new Constitution,
submitted TO the people for adoption, or ere
ates contempt for the great majority Of North.
ern clergymen, by charging them indiscrimin-
ately with sin and immortality?
CO Professor J. d. Patterson has not left
kirkvills, as we announced on unreliable au-
thority last week. We regret that the notice
was inserted, Ne we have and had no desire or
motive to injure Mr.. P. in the least We were
only influenced by desire to secure the pay
ment Of our bill against him, and he and Others
will appreciate our feelings on hearing Of his
departure without settling with us, when we |
say that we loose from one-third to one-half Of
inch dues BY the removal OF parties, and their
forgetting their obligations to US before they
cave. 1t gives us pleasure to make this cor
lection in the case Of Mr.. p. The name of
'ur informant will be communicated if de-
aired