Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-04-05
sStDThe Lewisburg Arnus giyes. with

ES" The Lewisburg Argus gives, with a
great flourish, the proceedings of the prcsenta-
ton of another silver pitcher and purse of
gold to Rev. J. w. Hedges of the Methodist
Church of that place, who recently voted,
with few Others in Conference against the
resolutions sustaining the government in the
prosecution of the war against the rebels.
Our friend Col Crotzer made the presenta-
ton speech in which he declared the Rev.
gentleman was commissioned "to preach the
gospel alone" and we presume the editor of
the Argus was there also. Whether the
learned Truman of the Northumberland
County Bible or bogus Democrat" was
present or not, does not appear, but that he
was posted in the matter appears from his
last paper. Having figured in the former
presentation he ought not to have been neg
lected. In reply, the Reverend gentleman
offered the following, as an excuse for his
disloyal vote:
regret however that in the strict discharge Of
what my conscience approved as duty, L have
innoccutly wounded some OF my fricnds-yct l do
not doubt could you have hoard my explanation on
the Conference floor, when | cast my vote, no
uuprcjudiced mind could have condemned my
course.
did not object TO any loyal or patriotic sentiments
contained in the preamble and resolutions presented
for adoption at late Conference Mt Baltimore, but
clearly and positively stated that it was alone in
opposition to the introduction Of outside issues into
an Ecclcsiastic body. While love and honor tho
lag of my country, and the Union of these States,
stil hold little higher the banner of Christ-nnd
this, as well the other will defend according to
my convictions ofright, if perish in the attempt,
lp ho cd hp -Stn
ner on Calvary is fully able to sustain all who seek
shelter beneath its ample folds
During the Revolution, clcrgymen and
Others, who were opposed to coercion and
refused to give aid and encouragement tc
our patriotic ancestors, on the ground that
they were "outside issues" were called tories
If not by still harsher term.
The excuse of Mr.. Hedges is miserable
subterfngc and christianity are in
separable, and no loyal man could consistent.
vote against loyal resolutions, because II,
deemed their introduction impolitic. If h
voted at all, he would vote for them. VIII,
the Rev. Mr. Hedges alone should be singleC
out and made the recipient of such honor
may be mystery to some, but we are incline,
to think if it were not for his Southern sym
pathics. he would have left Lewisburg pitch
erless, as did number of other clergymcr
Quite ne s7oou and mrch more popular me
thun Mr.. Hedges.
These are times when every man shoul,
be compelled to show his hand, and he VIII
is afraid or unwilling, should not be trust
ed in any capacity. JEFF. Davis said all the
wanted was to be 'lct alone" and this seem
to be the governing principle Of all hi
friends north and south. Col. Crotzer thinks
clergyman is commissioned to opreach" alone,
and let Davis and his rebel friends apply tn
torch to the capitol itself and raze to tn
ground the home Oft the innocent and helplcs
without even an expression of disapproba
ton. This is the Breckenridge doctrine, til
lesvcn of which is still among us. lie VIII
would not defend his home and country
deserves neither, and is worse than an infde
Bishop Potter, of Pennsylvania, has fou
sons in the army, and lately prohibited on
of his clerical friends from discussing tn
doctrines of the Catholic Church, on tn
ground that there should be no dissension
at such time, and we are pleased to sa
our clergy generally are animated by tn
same spirit, and none more 50 than our Nc
thodist friends