Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-03-16
THE BEsPOT'S HEEE IS ON
THY NECK.
TIE sancttty of the Church Violated
OUTBAGEs IN ALEXANDRIA.

had gone through the morning prayer OF the
Episcopal service as far as the Litany-the pray
er for the President being omitted, but without
anything in it's place-and was proceeding with
the Litany, when an interruption occurred of the
character which he law designates az brawl-
ing - that is, the Intervention Of noise and tn
mutt by certain persons vino had come to the
church with the intention of iHterTuptng the
service, should it not proceed according TO their
wishes. These persons commenced the disturb
ance as soon as they found the prayer for tine
President omitted. One OF them, Capt Farnes-
worth, Of the Sth Illinois cavalry, who sat near
z the chaucel, dressed ia uniform, with some hve
or six of his soldiers near him, undertook to Of
fciate in prayer, (f prayer it could be called),
by reading the prayer for the President OF the
United States. How ar he went II does not sp-
pear in the confusion but, soon quitting bis Po-
sitiOn as the officer Of prayer, he advanced to
the altar, where Mr.. Stewart was k%neeingi still
continuing the Litsny, and ordered his arrest.
Mr. Stewart was dragged from his knees by the
soldiers. The ground Of the arrest, Captain
Farnesw0Tth distinctly avOwed 70 be, the Omls-
sion Of the prayer for he Pr sident OF the United
States. With this avowal, he said II arrest
Won bv the authority of the United States, as a
rebel and a traitor And T." responded Mr.
Stewart, (who, by this time, mad advanced TO the
chancel rails), 10 Capt. F., summon you 20
answer at the Judgment seat OF the King OF
Kings and the Lord Of Lords for interfering by
force Of arms, with his ambassadors, VIII lie IN
the act Of presenting the petitions OF lbs people
ct His altar
The solemnity of this appeal caused the par
ties to fall back and pause; but, soon the soldiers
were ordered to seize Sr. Stewart, which two OF
them did, with great violence, forcing the prayer
book from bis hands. one OF them drawing a re-
y0lver. Another revolver was presented TO an
old and venerated citizen within the chancel
when the officer ordered the soldier not to ire
Very soon a considerable number OF armed sol
diers appeared in the church. Mr. Stewart re-
fusing to yield voluntarily, was dragged by
force from the altar and through the aisle out Of
the church. He was il his surplice, which he
wore through the streets and at Col. Farnsworths
quarters, where he was taken. Capt Farms
worth said that he went to church intending TO
arrest Mr. S, if he should offer any pray ST for
the Confederate States. Near MIN, in the same
pew, sat Nj. MoTeton, (the detechveG who then
gave orders to Capt. +. to make the arrest, which
was executed as above described.
Nr. Ao1etou has declared that be was acting
under authority from Washington.
The scene in the church was such Bs may be
imagined under such circumstances gentlemen
were indignant and excited, and ladies gave ut
tersnce TO their feelings Of grief and indignation
but. Of course, no serious effort was made to
prevent the arrest, Nj. Stewart WAS taken away
and the congregation dispersed.
1t is proper 10 states that these proceedings
were without the knowledge Of Gen. MoltgOm-
cry, the military governor OF the city spa"eIe
strongly condemned by MIN when 1hey came to
/ bs knowledge. He telegraFdod to Washington
for INSTRUCTIONS frou the government, which,
when receives, seTe Of such a nature AS to lead
N Mr. SeWart's release after 8 few hours deten-
teu. The issue involved in the transaction, thus
iIuperfectly sketched, Is too great 10 admit Of
comment.
1t viii. however, be well to state that Mr..
Stewart only insisted upon the right OF all am
bassadors 10 communicate with Their hlng I'M
trsmmeled by civil or military Interference and
that in no case have any of the services OF this
church assumed a political aspect. No prayer
mas been offered and no sentiments advanced al
any time that were calculated TO offend even the
most sensitive critic. But if public worship Is
TO be interrupts those who take that Office upon
themselves seldom invade the chancels and, with
drawn revolvers, drag the minister Of religion
from his altar, because he will not do their
bidding.
The undersigned we're present in the church,
and testify 10 the facts above stated. II may be
proper to state, that by request OF the vestry, IN
the absence Of the rector, the Rev. Geo. A. smith
and the Rev. Mr.. Stewart have been officiating
in st. Paul's church for several weeks past, and
that Mr.. Smith was in the chsncei at the time
the occurrence took place:
George A. Smith, Cassius F. Lee, Sydney G.
Miller, A. II. Murray, John A. Dixon, w. II.
Marburry, Townsend D. Fendall, Albert Z.
Rassford, Edward &. Fletcher, Geo, H.. SIGootr
J. J. Wheat, Wells A Harper, Nathaniel Boushr
Juo. West, Y. A. Clsgett, Jas. Green, Isaac Win
ston, Thos. W. Swami. Jas. EntWiste, Lewis
Hooh, Chas. B. Hoof, W. B. COTse, Stephen A
Green, S. +. Gregory, John +. Dyer, Geo 7.
Baldwin.
Copies Of the above statement have been sent
TO the President Of the United States, and to
Gen. Mcclellan.
We have heard from eye-witnesies many o
the circumstances attending the above described
outrage. The statement above is the calm
moderate, well-coDsidered testimony of the
highly respectable conference.-the first names o
Alexandria-who have signed it, The brutality
Of the soldier was only equalsd by the spirit o.
our citizens. A drawn pistol was planted agains
the breast Of the minister, but the brave mai
blepched not. The violence Of one Of the rUi
fans was resented by a knock-down from Al
| eyed and gentle citizen, all unarmed as he was
/ But the story has another chapter. Tina
p night the rufian soldiers fred the Office ct tn
g GGzeue or Local Netcs They chose an hou
when the great body Of the people were con
fined 70 their houses by The acquisitions Of MAJ
q tal law, and none but imported vandals or trsI
e tor citizens allowed 10 60 abroad. The prDtluI
! Office was totally consumed, as was, also, an ad
s Joining building. Such efforts as weTe made {
d save them were thwsrted by the misoTeant so.
IS diers who, with their ssbres, cut the hose Of til
engines.
The church (St Paurs) was the next objet
Z Of vengeance. To save it, Montgomery, who
e seemingly more humane than the pack he has
his heels, and whom be is apparently unable &
restrain, ordered q guard to be placed sroun'
The guard was threatened, and had to B
& doubled.
The end Of the story ia not yet reached. /
another column we publish a numerous list
Aiexandrians who have been torn nom the
, homes and families, and ordered off to Fort Wa
: reu. In the list are names Of many who signe
= the paper SIich we have above copied, The
u are Alexandria best citizens. The writer kne
them well, and deeply sympathises With the
2 misfOTtunes.
We have no patience to dwell upon the
/. enenniFeg. They make the heart sick b
u they also make the blood boil in ones yeini
= How long shall it be before AleEandra's deb
y erance shall come How long shall the despoi
- heel be upon her neckl
n Citizens of other cities and OF the Confedera
States generally, ye see in the tate OF Alexandr
what fate awaits you, if you ts4 even temper
rily into the power OF this detestable norfnel
~fvIannv To the deep humiliation Of being ca
- tyred a. all. win be added the inefable misery
4 baipg cruelIy oppressed By the lowest and me
:; yuIgsr tyrants that the world has, perhaps, ev
n seem We'll might the then doomed, now ca
,e live Alexandnans. say that the scene N ;
Paul'sc church on the 9Th Of February has. p'
hans. never had a parallel among civlised 4
,a Sona - If we DO not desire that such eFidenc
= n I.,taI 3ascorism shall be witnessed elsewhS