The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1860-09-27

early testimony, and the recorded SEN
tlments OF our purest statesmen; (3.)
Because ours is the church of their
childhood and youth; (4.) Because it
is not sectional church, emblazoned
as such on the very title-pages Of its
official publications.
These are good reasons, and we
have felt it our duty to supply them
with the ministry and institutions of
their preference. We have invaded
no civil rights, have melted no revolt,
stirred no sedition. We claim for
them the right to prefer us-we claim
the right to supply them.
III. What treatment haze qce re-
ceiyed !?
Sir, the civilized world has been
shocked by the story of the abomina-
tions perpetrated by the Druses upon the
nominal Christians in Syria, and by the
cruel edicts which have disgraced the
government of Rome, with its clerical
head. am not sure but chapter of
history almost as shocking and barbar-
Gus must be written by the historian of
Methodism. Our people are under a
reign of terror in some portions of the
Southeast and Southwest. From diff
ferent quarters in Virginia, Maryland,
and Delaware, they have received
threats of violence to be inflicted un-
less there shall be withdrawal from our
church. The mail-matter of our MEM
bers is opened-postmasters claim tn e
authority to break the seals, and de-
grade themselves into proslavery spies!
Mr.. Buchanan, haze you or yoas cabi-
net demand or sanctioned this far-reach
ing system of government espionage?
Lsyoasr Postmaster General simply or
principally the chief Of a east detectice
force? We of the North support the
postal service, and we wish to know
something of its character
The most high-handed outrages have
been perpetrated in the Southwest.
There violence has been repeatedly en-
ployed, and our people basely mur-
dered. In Missouri, bands of ruffians
have interfered with our services, have
committed outrages upon our ministers
which hurried them to the grave, while
the red hand of murder drenched with
blood the gray locks of venerable
man, loved by all who knew him, whose
crime was warm attachment to the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
The high-handed enormities inflicted
upon the ministry and membership of
our church in Kansas need not be re-
stated-they have passed into history.
In Texas, Bishop James was holding
a session Of conference. No mans
rights had been invaded; no insurrec-
ton had been preached no slave had
been melted to revolt. In that confer.
ence there were, no doubt, some who
voted forJames Buchanan as President
of the United States. Yet, sir, those
men, with their wives and children and
friends, were surrounded on Gods holy
day, while in the house of worship, by
an armed mob, which demanded an in
stant and unconditional abandonment OF
their position! Mr.. President, that
outrage was perpetrated since you
have been our chief executive! What
harm had they done? Had they lost
the character of American citizens, OF
is the nation which can resent the out
RACES of Greytown or Paraguay, pow.
erless before those of pro-slavery
mobs 4?
Later still has come the word that in
Northern Texas, a panic similar to that
of Harper's Ferry, has been created
Mobocracy has triumphed over law
Men suspected have been seized and
executed.
Among the victims of this reckless
slaughter we read the name of A. Bew
ley. / knew that man. He was q
cautious, deliberate man, born, / be
lieve, in Tennessee. He was an abol
itionist, though an anti-slavery man
of the w ashington and Jefferson school
Modest and peaceful, he never asserted
all,the rights mentioned by the author O
the Dred Scott decision, quoted above
nor was he accustomed to speak sucl
, words as Mr.. Taney announced him
self prepared to utter in the old court
house in Frederick. He was twic,
chosen delegate to our highest &c
clesiastical council, and was esteemed
for his unobtrnsive but genuine piety.
A large family, one of which was
blind daughter, was dependant upol
, him. Yet without fair trial, witho out
sworn jury, without council, withou
, forms of law, this brave man, this good
gray-haired man, is murdered by
, mob !! Tell not this country that Amer
J lean citizenship is prouder boast thar
, Roman We of the Methodist Epis
| copal Church, who refuse sectional af
fix, are almost compelled to say it is
cheat, a sham, something we pay dear
. ly for, but which brings us no protec
ton. Have we, the million of Metho
dists in this country, no rights whicl
/ Southern slave-breeders and slave-driv
) ers are bound to respect?
III. What zoe demand Of oar co,t,a
E try.
3 L. We insist upon protection in th'
, exercise of our constitutional rights
f liberty of conscience, speech and press
: 2. We insist upon it that our record
? ed sentiments on the subject of slave
. ry shall not work practical forfeiture
; fof our citizenship. Why this Singing
out of the M. E. Church Other
3 have borne as strong testimony agains
the evil-why this war upon us?
f 8. We demand the protection o
: the courts IF anv of our neonle of