The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1863-05-23
EAlPORA. KANSAS, SATURDAY. MAY %, 1868. :

ent torms and try to convert these men of
peace into men of war by force, you will
give the opponents of our Government an
otherpowerful lever, Which they will seize
at once, and use with even strategy against
the Administration. ba
There are many young men who have de-
parted from the religious faith of their faith
els, and voluntarily gone into the service of
the army; as many, perhaps, as could con-
scientiously take up arms. ta
During the Revolutionary War, and the
war OF 1919, statesmen appreciated the feel
ings which governed this peculiar class of
religious people, although they were obliged
in many instances to endure sufferings for
their faith. Some of their young members
left them and entered the army. General
Greene, of Rhode Island, who became the
intimate friend and companion of General
Washington, was a remarkable instance.
The serene manners of the Quakers cause
their tacit influence to be entirely overlook
ed by the noisy politicians of the present day.
Few stop to inquire who were the early
advocates in England of the adjustment of
Slavery in the British West Indias. No
one asks, nowadays, who plead so hard for
the prison reforms in all Europe.
The Quakers have ever been among the
most liberal philanthropists in England. as
well as in our own country. To-day there
are seven members of the English Parlia-
ment who are prominent aud exemplary
members of the Society Of Friends. John
Bright is member. Richard Golden, to-
gether with these self-same Quakers, is do
ing all that lies in his power to sustain in
England American freedom, the old Union,
and the present Government of the United
States. Will American statesmen willingly
and knowingly lend their influence to the
oppression of those who have been pleading
for the oppressed for much longer period
than our Government is years old? Itcan-
not be. We require the influence continu-
ally of those noble hearted, God-fearing
English philanthropists who are working so
hard for US. Will enlightened minds pur-
sue a retrograde course in this hour of our
nations trial? Never Christian philan
thropy cries to the heart of every man, No !
This question is far broader one than at
first sight appears. This society is exerting
an immense influence in favor Of freedom
of person. liberty of conscience and speech,
and the support of proper government
throughout the civilized world. Will intel
| ligent gentlemen attempt to crush their best
efforts for humanity, and thereby aid the enc
mics of our Government ?
It may be supposed that am member
of this society, or that | am Interested for
some of my friends whom desire to have
exempted. am neither member of the
society myself, nor have any relative, that
1 am aware of, who would receive any adj
vantage by reason of exemption from mill
tary duty on account of conscientious scru-
Piles. 1 am of the opinion that the Friends
are the only denomination who founded their
religious faith upon the principles of peace
No one has ever asked me 10 speak in de-
tense of these good people. 1 do it at my
own suggestion, in pure justice toward q
modest, but heightened class Of Christians,
and with the strongest desire to assist the
Government in every possible manner.
claim no exemption for myself by reason
of conscientious scruples.
remain, dear sir, very truly,
! GARRISON COLLINS.