Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-04-10
For ne union and American.


eFHE METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE"
MEssRs EDIroRs: Absence from home about the
time your last article appeared in reference to the
part taken bE the Agents Of the Methodist Publish
ing House, in attempting to procure interest in
printing the Code" prevented an early response.
have carefully read your editorial and but lit
tie referring the main question at issue, demand
ing reply. You doubtless believed you were emit
tied to the job in virtue of your election as public
printers; at the same time it is certain the Book
Agents were invited, earnestly solicited to submit
proposition; solicited by members Of the Legisla-
ture of both political parties They we're assured,
moreover, that the Code wa an extra job, not pro.
vided for in the Law regulating the public printing
This avoWal on the part Of gentlemen Of unim-
peached reputation, with declaration at the time
that they had no desire to interfere with contract
ifone had been made should have saved them from the
imputations and insnuations Of your correspondent
who wrote such bitter things against the Publishing
/ House and its " attaches"
1t is hoped that further and fuller investigation
Of the facts connected with this natter has eonvino
ed you that nothing derOgatOry to the character of
the sstimable gentlemen having control of the i'm
Church, transpired in reference to the proposition
to print the 'COde !" and being convinced Of their
integrity, you will no doubt, take pleasure in re-
moving the unjust imputations cast upon them by
your correspondent.
1t is granted, that, in times of excitement, per
sons honest in their intentions arrive at wrong con-
olusiOns because they are misled by imperfect
knowledge Of the facts il the premises but it is
always honorable and praiseWorthy to cOrOect an
error or remove 3 wrong impression. Leaving you
to the exercise Of your own judgment on the points
involved in this portion Of your editorial proceed
to note one ether item.
You have made the impressiOn-I do not say in
tsntionally-that the Editor of the Nashville Chris
tar Advocate, in former years, favored in his col
umns party political measures, and under the guisC
Of the " Temperance Reform " gave Z" aid and com
fort" to one Of the political parties of the State
Now gentlemen, permit me to say, you misjudge me
am minister Of the gospel and the editor Of &
church journal, as such, have ever in the pulpit
and in the columns Of the Advocate stood alOOf from
party politics. have never, in the capacity of Ed
tor given the slightest inkling Of my political pref
erences or opinions. As citizen have my rights
and at the ballot box exercise those rights but il
the pulpit ny business is to preach the gospel and
in conducting church journal it is my prerOgstive
to oppose sin, public private, to advocate virtue
and to maintain the doctrines and pOlity of the
church Of ny choice These things do fearlesslyi
but with party politics never intermeddIe.
Ny friends know me as a jealous advocate of the
cause Of Temperance; but, sirs, trust I have toe
much self-respect and am too thoroughly impressed
with sense Of prOpriety to great "Temper-
ance measure" into party politics.
One of the fundamental laws of all those temper
anoe associations with which 1 have cen connected
is that the organizations in nowse interfere with po-
Itcal and religious opinions. ANY other temperance
organization should be ignored Leaving men free
in religion snd free in politics, our motto is, 'DOwn
with drunkenness and every thing else that tends to
this crying evil" Any other light in which am
viewed, does me injustice, and has tendency tc
mar my reputation e minister of the gospel, the
friend Of temperance, and the advocate of a system
Of religion which believe to be Scriptural.
Yours with due respect,
J. B. MCFERRlN.