The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-11-26
Slavery W. Religious Liberty

Slavery 10 inherently intolerant. 1t is no,
possible that it should be otherwise. A sys
tenn which, in its primary principles, ignores
and tramples underfoot, with regard to its
Immediate subjects, .all the obligations of
natural right, of equity between man and man,
Of the sacred, God ordained relations Of hus
band and wife, parent and child, cannot be
expected to regard any other rights or priv
ileges of any other portions of society. And
such system 10 American Slavery, and such
are the uniform developments witnessed in
the practical workings Of the system. It is
mot only m overshadowing dictatorial arts.
tocracy in lite governmental relations, but
with regard to religious iberty-the right to
worship God according to conscience and the
Bible-it il asintolerant this day as,the papa.
cy in the days of the inquisition
To those familiar with the temper and
practices Of the institution in the Southwest,
no other proof than that furnished in cur
rent history 10 needed to sustain these char
ges against this most diabolical system. Take
the treatment received by the ministers and
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church
i0r the last ten years a. an example. Wear
here, % we have ever been in all places.
peaceful loyal people Our religion and our
book OF discipline demand of ne quiet sub
mission to oil tho just requirements Of the
civil magistrates recognizing civil govern.
ment a. ordained of God. In conformity to |
these wholesome doctrines, our people have
always conducted themselves in the most be.
coming manner. With all the vigilance and
enmisy which the proslavery press-religious
ana secular-has been able 70 arouse against
as mot one instance Of unlawful informed.
ding with tho civil relations of master and
slave has ever been established against
any OF our people. We trust this NAV ever
be true Of U.s. Should any one connected
with our communion 90 far forget his duty.
and 90 grossly violate the obligations which
are upon him ~ Methodist, az to engage in
the abduction cfslaves, perpetrate sedition or
he would be promptly arrested
and expelled. Such are our sentiments
eeaching and practice OF these facts ali
intelligent persons have knowledge. But
simply because We deny the divine right Of
one man to enslave another, to deprive him
of his liberty, to appropriate his time and
property, TO rob him of his wife and children.
o imbrute him-because we deny the divine
right Of such system, we are prosecuted
With bitterness vindictiveness that
knows no bounds. !
The world 10 now familiar with the pro- !
weddings of the beautiful Eonham mob, which
.ssailed and menaced Bishop james, and the
Arkansas Conference last spring That mob /
which was aroused BY the Rev Messrs. I
Porter d Co, Of the Southern Methodist 4
>hurch, which was led to the house ofGod,
there the people were w0rshiping, ON the i
abbath day, BY Judge Roberts, OF the same a
hurch, for which Mr. McAnally Of the St 7
souis Advocate apologies, which was en- d
orsed BY the editor Of the Texas Advocate. h
nd over which the Rev, Mr.. Wilson got b
eOHfing h0ppy-the world we say are ia b
liliar with this mob affair. 81 =
Well, since that notable transaction th =
'ork of prescription and persecution has d
one steadily forward One after another OF :
nr preachers has been compelled to leave ii
ntil but few remain within the limits Of !,
le State The regular services Of the off d
rent societies, have been mostly suspended. 4,
ntil recently, however, our poor PEOPLE q
ere allowed 70 hold their private social n,
ceilings for prayer and Christian fellowship h
be- prayer meetings and class -msetiupe =
I've oootinued and God has been manifestIv a,
it'll them. Bot now this u denied them.-
ear Bonhams we had . aourishing society Of sv
~ half hundred members, where the IN
Inference session was held The Bonham. n;
> have inersased in visulsncs, and under 81;
. Oppressive demands Of their vigilance ~
mmittee, our friends are com PEELED to aus. . J
nd these social, religious services. na
Thus scattered, peeled and hunted down. ~
y. are we'll nigh disheartsned. We feel he,
them, and bear them in our DEVOTION. acr
lose 10d . the mercy seat Will mot the f.
are church join 10 in praying God to break ~
opPrsssor's power, and in his good prov. Ia
nes secure @ our people The rights Of wor IN.
2 ney - God Of the oppressed and 81