Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-07-11
For the Journal.

NIX. EDITOR: InOugn your paper Is not
medium of UNCONVENTIONAL matters know
you will rejoice in the progress Of abolition
sentiment in church enormously considered
pro-slavery. The Presbyterian, in its last
issue, in giving fourteen instances in which
the present war has been productive of good,
gives the 1st, I'd and 7th as follows:
LIST. The freedom of the Territories, into
which the South, while they had power, were
perpetually endeavoring to introduce slavery,
and thus enlarge its area.
I'd. 1t has delivered the District of Colum-
bia from slavery, so that the seat of the ma
tional government is no longer under the re-
proach of being mart for the sale of human
beings.
18th. Had it not been for this war, the gov
eminent would never have recognized the
national character of Hayti and Liberia, and,
particularly in regard to the last, done justice
which had been too long delayed.
The following letter explains itself:
Corrss pondence of the Presb, terrain.
GEORGETOWN, d. c., June 26, 1862.
Msssrs. Editors Il am glad to be able to
report progress to you in the Union senti-
ment among the people of Georgetown, as
also of Washington, and Of the District gen.
orally. Union men tell me that the change
during the past twelve months has been
marvellous; and myself see great changes
since came here in February Even the
abolition of slavery in the District is now
heartily acquiesced in by a large majority Of
the people; indeed, do not any more hear a
single voice lifted up in complaint; and it is
my conviction, that if both Maryland and
Virginia were to-day to pass emancipation
laws, the mass of the people of the District
would say, Amen. Still, there are some who
so far fail to see the hand of God in its work
ing against slavery and secession, as to sym.
pathize, more or less, and q few of them
warmly, with both. But their number is
rapidly decreasing, and they are growing
strangely averse to saying much on the sub
lject.
Before consentng to receive call to the
Bridge Street Church, let it be known
frankly and fully, that was Internationally
for the Union; and that, though not an abo
litionist, in the sense in which we understand
abolitionism at the North, abhorred slavery
believed it to be the cause of the present war
thought God was fighting against it, and
prayed for its speedy disappearance from eve
ry State in the Union. Openly holding
these views, was called to be pastor of thi.
church. l was surprised to receive it. Blu
as the hand of God seemed to be in it, l &C
copied the call, came, and have been installed
Nv reception has been most kind and cor
dial; and though l both pray and preacl
: strongly against treason, and do not dis
guise my sentiments upon slavery, no mar
says me nay, though few would, know, b.
glad to have instead of this plainness, littl
more whipping of the devil round the bush
But the fact is, | am beginning to think tina
God is far ahead Of the. most Union-loring
slauery-hating men among US; and that tn
day is not far distant when, with shame 70
our blindness and sluggishness, we shall al
move far forward Of our furthest advance a
the present time.
| How cheering is such news to all loya
hearted, especially so to all true Presbyterians
who, trusting in the sincerity of their Genera
, Assembly, in their strong and oft repeate'
denunciations of slavery, have adhered to he
and all her shameless coquctting with tn
sable maid of the South. God has signall
rebuked us for our inconsistency, and a larg
mass of her members has sloughed off. Sh
is waking up from her Rip Van Wrinkle sleep
f The skies are Frightening, and as an OIL
, School Presbyterian congregation, in the yer.
hot-bed of slavery, has installed an out-spokel
anti-slavery pastor, we confidently look for
time when "Goliah of Muscatinc" will b
able to sing the SD Psalm.
| Dawn T Owe THEE Still