The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-03-11
THE rYRANTs IN ALEXANDRIA.

From the Local News, Alexandria, Va, Feb. 10th.
A scene occurred in St. PauPs Church, Alex
andria, Va, on Sunday morning, Feb. 8, 1862,
which has, perhaps, never had parallel among
civilized Enthusiastically not in the history Of
this country.
The officiating minister, Rev. X. J. Stewart,
had gone through the morning prayer of the
Episcopal service as far the Litany-the prayer
for the President being omitted, but without any
thing in its place-and was proceeding with the
Litanv when an interruption occurred of the
character which the law desgnates as "brawinc;"
that is, the Intervention of noise and tumult by
certain persons who had cume to the church with
the intention Of interrupting the service should it
not proceed according to their wishes. These
persons commcrccd the disturbance as soon as
they found the prayer for the President omitted
One of them, Captain FarneswOrth, Of the Sth
Illinois Cavalry, who sat near the chance dressed
in uniform, with some 5 or 6 Of his soldiers near
him. undertook to ofhcate in prayer, (if prayer it
could be called) by reading the prayer for the
President of the United States. How far he went
it dues not appear In the confusiOn; but, soon
quitting his position as the officer of prayer, he
advanced to the altar, where Mr. Stewart WAS
kneeng still continuing the Litany, and ordered
his arrest. Mr. Stewart Was dragged from. his
knees by the soldiers. The ground Of thc arrcSt,
Capt Farnsworh distinctly avowed TO be the
omission OF the prayer for the President OF the
United States. With this avCwal, he said: Il
arrest you by the authority OF the United States,
as Rebel and Traitor" ".And l." responded
Mr. Stewart, (who, by this time, had advanced to
the chancel rails to Capt. -, summon you to
answer at the judgment seat Of the King of Kings
and the Lord of Lords for interfering, by force OF
arms, with his Ambassadors, while in the act OF
presenting the petitions of His people at His
ali hn Sola inv Of 10
parties to fall back and pause but, the So ldlers
were ordered to seize Mr. Stewart, which two of
them did, with great violence, forcing the prayer
book from his hands, one of them drawing re-
volver. Another revolver presented to an
old and vencratcd citizen within the chancel when
the officer ordered the soldier not to fire. Very
soon considerable number Of armed soldiers ap-
peared in the church. Mr. Stewart refusing To
yield voluntarily, was dragged by force from the
altar and through the aisle out of the church.
He was in his surplice which he wore through
the streets aud at Col. Farnsworth's quarters,
where he taken. Capt. Farnsworth sad that
he went to church intending to arrest Mr. S. if he
should offer any prayer tor the Confederate
States. Near him, in the same pew, sat Mr.
Moretun the detcctive) who then gave orders to
Capt, F., to make ti.1 arrest, which WAS executed
as above described
Mr.. Morcton has declared that he Was acting
under authority from Washington
The Scene in the church was such as may be
imagined under such circumstances; gentlemen
were Indignant and excited, and ladies gave utter
ance t" their feelings of grief and Indignation
but of course, no serious effort WAS made to pre-
vent the arrest. Mr.. Stewart was taken away and
the congregation dispersed.
The conduct Of the Lincolnitcs in Alexandria is =
specimen 2f how other southern will be treated
If the eucny get possession. It Will be much bet
ior evs.y southern die il manly resistance
,',,n 10 submit sutjugation.