Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-10-31

a large family, one of which was blind
daughter, was dependent upon him. Yet
without fair trial, without a sworn jury
! without forms of law, this brave man, this
/ good, gray haired man, is murdered by mob
ieil not this country that American citizenship
is prouder boast than Roman7 We of the
methodist Episcopal Church, who refuse a
| sectional affix, are almost compelled to say il
IS cheat, sham, something we pay dearly
Tor, but which brings US no. protection. Have
we, the million of Methodsts in this country,
no rights which Southern slave breeders and
slaye-drivers are bound to respect?
III. What ,ce demand of our country.
L. we insist upon protection in the exercise
OF our constitutional rights-liberty of con-
science, speech, and press.
z. We insist upon it that our recorded SEN
tlments on the subject OF Slavery shall not
work practical forfeiture of our citizenship
Why this singing out of the M. E. Church |?
Others have borne strong testimony against
the evil-why this war upon us?
8. We demand the protection of the courts
II any of our people offend the majesty of the
law, there are courts of justice and officers OF
the law; let there be full, impartial, and fair
trial, and We will be content. We bow to the
laws If unjust and oppressive, we will at
tempt in all lawful ways to secure their repeal.
1t becomes, Sir, question just now of deep
interest-does membership in the Methodist E.
piscopdl Church erpose to death at the hands of
an unlicensed mob? Are we to be hunted like
wild beasts2 Is our blood to be shed like wa
ter to appease the insatiable Moloch of Sla-
very ?
L must add, sir, at this time, the question,
Can our brethren be protected /? is assuming q
grave importance. We are in the midst of
the excitement preceding the Presidential
election, intensified by the character of the
questions at issue. Heretofore we have been
divided in our votes. Our clergy have been of
different parties, and SO have been our laity.
The church periodicals with a circulation told
by hundreds of thousands, have been silent
when the questions of platforms and candi-
dates have been argued. Thus should it be.
God forbid that the day should come when
our leading religious denominations shall stand
as integers in the computation of political
parties. @ cY 1.s sa9i - itt
Bat, sir, Oppression maketh wise man
mad" The murder of Bewley has startled
us, and the question begins to run through our
million of membership, Can Naturalization
De found ,rhtch WiU protect The rights of con-
science and the freedom Of ,corshipf 1 depre-
cate the existence of such state of things,
but we are not responsible. We love our
brethren, and cannot consent to see them
slaughtered by gangs of desperadoes without
feeling, without determining solemnly on our
knees, and at the holy communion, that they
shall be protected. few more such murders
as that of Bewley, and our people will ask who
Will give us an Administration strong enough
to uphold the rights dearest of all others, and
for that man, be he whom he may, they will
cast their united suffrage.
Sir, have written plainly and honestly,
and now close this letter, praying that the
evening of your days may be calm. and cloud
less, and when you go hence may it be in sure
and certaian hope OF blissful immortality.
Yours respectfully, TN. EDDY.