Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1860-10-09
Methodism and Slavery,

W. lind IN The Northwestern Chris
tan Advocate a letter from lis editor
Rev. t. NJ. Eddy, 10 Presiden, Buchan
an upon the relation of the MrthodiS
Church TO slavery-the recent outrage;
upon Me.hodism at the Souh-and de.
manding of the government protection tc
Methodlsls In The exercise of their Con.
stl,utlonal rights. Our space forbids the
insertion of The letter entire {; but we give
lis closing paragraphs. which will suf-
ilclentiy indicate lis tone and spirit. At
Ter aluding 10 the breaking up of a Meth
odlst Conference, over whieh Bis lop
Jrmes presided, by a pro-siavery rob
I he continues:
Later still has come the word that in
Northern Texas, panic similar TO lha,
al Harper's Ferry, has been created
Mobocracy has triumphed over law
Men suspected have been seized and ex-
/ ecuted.
Among the victims of this reckless
slaughter we read the name OF A. Bew-
ley. | know that man. He was a eau
tous, deliberate mau, born ] believe IN
Tennessee. He was not an abolilionist,
/ though an anti-slavery man of the Wash
I
peaceful. he never asserted all the rights
mentioned ty the author of the Dred
Scott Decision, quoted above, nor WAS he
I accustomed TO speak such words as Mr.
fancy announced himself prepared 10 Ut
ter IN the Old Court House In Fredrick
lie was twice chosen a delegate 10 our
highest ecclesiastical council. and was
esteemed for his uno5truslve but genuine
piety.
A large family, one Of which WAS a
bhEf daughter, wa. dependent upon him.
fe, without a fair trial, without a sworn
jury, without council, without forms of
law this brave man, this good, gray
haired man. is murdered by a mob -
Tell not this country that American citi-
izenship is a prouder boast than Roman.
We of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
who refuse a sectional affix, are almost
compelled TO say II Is a cheat, sham
something we pay dearly for, but which
brings Us no protection. Have we, the
million of Methodist in thi. country, no
rights which Southern Shareholders are
bound TO respect!
WHAT WE DEMAND OF OUR COUNTRY
/. We insist upon protection in the ex-
erclse of our Constitutional rights-llb-
erty of conscience. speech and press.
:. We insist upon It thnt our recorded
sentiments on the subject of slavery shall
not work practical forfeiture of our cit
izenship. Why this singing out of The
Methodist Episcopal Churcha Others
hove borne strong testimony against
the eplt--wiIy this war upon US
Neademand the protection Of the
courts. If any of our people offend the
majesty of the law there are courts of
Justice, and officers OF he la y, lie; there
be a full, impartial and fair trial. and we
will be conteat. We bow TO the laws
If unjust and oppressive. we will attempt
in all lawful ways TO secure their repeal
1t becomes, sir, a question just now of
deep interest--d0es membership IN tie
Methodist EpiSc0paI Church expose 10
death at the haiads Of an 1taIice,lseI ns0j1
Are we to be hunted like wild beasts =
Is our blood 10 be shed like water TO ap-
pease the Unsuitable Moloch of Sla-
very!
| must add, sir, that at this time the
question, Can our brethren be protected
Is assuming grave Importance. We are
in the midst of the excitement preceding
the Presidential election, inlen-
sied by the character of the question al
issue. Heretofore we have beea divided
in our votes. Oar clergy have been Of
different parties, and 50 have our larry.
The Church periodicals, with a circula-
ton told by hundreds of thousands, have
been silent when the questions of plat
forms and candidates have been argued.
Thus should II be- God forbid that the
day shall come when our leading relig-
ious denominations shall stand as iule-
gers IN the computation OF political par
ties.
But, sir, Oppression makoth a 'sise
man mad" The murder of Bewlcy has
startled US, and the question begins 10 run
through our million of membership, Can
an Administration be follltd 7r)tlch ac,H
protect tie rights Of conscience and the
freedom Of tc0rship' l deprecate the
existence of such state of things, but
we are not responsible. We love our
brethren, and cannot consent 10 see them
slaughtered by gangs of desperaGoes
without feeling, without determining sol
emuly and on our knees, and al the holy
communion. that they shall be 71rotectei
A few more such murders as that OF
Bew!ey, and the church viii ask who xiii
give US an administration strong enough
TO uphold the rights dearest of all OH
ers and for that man, be he whom he
may, they wall cast their united suffer
age
Sir | have yri,tan Mainly and hon
esily, and now close this letter, praying
that the evening of your days mag be
calm and cloulIess, and when You go
hence, may It be IN sure and certain hope
Of bli.sful immortality.
Yours Respectful,
T. NJ. EDDY.
Chicago, Sept. Z, 1850.
EcoSoMY IS Due TO OUR EMPLOYEns
u