Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-11-03
Rev. w. r. Howard ReprI-
maDded for being q Demo.
cTat---llls speech In Defence.
correspondence OF the 81. louis Republican,

Correspondents ofthe 81. louis Republican,
Springfield, Ill Oct. Ia.
The Illinois conference closed its session
last night about IL O'Clock.
Danvllle, VermilliOn county, was ixej
upon as the place for the next meeting of
the conference
The COMMITTEE 10 the case IF Rev
Messr,. PaxbOn and Howard presented a
report, which was read. The report uas
on motion. laid on the table.
The character of Rev. Mr. Paxsou was
then on motion, passed.
The name Of w r Howard being call.
&c, il was moved that bis character do not
pass.
The following was offered by Rev. Kim.
Der az a substitute:
Whereas, Our country is in a terrible
conflict with traitors aod rebels and where.
as brother Howard has, by Common rumor
and by his own statements before the CON-
ference confirming hat rumor, beer i'm
prudent on the great questions involving
loyalty to the Government, 60 as 60 i'm
pair his usefulness a. Methodist preach
er /; therefore,
Resolred. That he be repTimanded BY
the Chair and that his char acter pass.
Mr.. Howard was interrogated rs to bis
position, and IN reply spoke substantially
as follows:
Mr. President: / wish to know whether
the arrest OF my character is upon the
grounds Of my political opiniousi If go, |
wish to know il now.
10 the brothers statement, by which the
passage OF my char scter has been arrested
there Is no sllusiJn to my mora! or ministe-
rial character; but that | had stated that.
II ! were citizen of the State Of Ohio. and
entitled TO vote: though not enduring all
OF the opinions of either Messrs. VhIan.
digham vt BrOugE, that / would vote for
Mr.. VslIandigham.
Now, SIT. it the arrest of my character
is npOn this political issue, and if this con-
terence will not pass my character on &C.
c"unt Of my political oriuions, I want this
issue to 60 before the people, and Intend
that it shall go before them.
In conversation this morning With nv
presiding elder, he slated that there was
nothing against my moral or ministerial
character. and the complaint, OF charge,
was wholly political.
Now. Mr. President, wish 70 be dis.
tinctly underst cd that, as citizen # the
United States, | claim the right ~ hnld an
opinion, and iearlessly to express the same;
and if this conference intends to close the
mouths Of those who differ with them, l
now tell them that there is no power in
! Heaven or earth. or hell. that sh6il cIIse
my mouth-cr deny me the free right to ex-
press my opinion as a free man.
shall contend for this right at tie bal
lot-bOx, and elsewhere, SO long as the
blood courses through my veins.
1t seems to me that there is q determi-
nation on the part of those who have ar
rested the passage of my character, to de-
| clare that no Democrat, who thinks this Ad-
ministratiou is not infalIible, or that this
one man power, or that this Administra-
ton is not the Government. can be / val.
Now, sir, 1 yield TO no man in my dew -
tiOn to my Government. love the consti-
tuition of my country next to my BiSle;
was taught to reverence il 10 nv lnfaLcy.
Nay. sir. am ready to defend nv Govern
ment against ell assailantS. foreign or do
mestic. am for my country now and
| forever.
hear it said. my Government rig BIT or
wrong"
Now. cir, my Government is never wrong
always right. 1t is impossible it should
be. founded as il is upon the eternal prin-
ciples Of truth and Righteousness.
But the administrator of this Govern.
ment may do wrong. and believe the pres.
ent Administration is wrong l do not,
| nor cannot endorse its pplicy.
Yet. while hold this opinion, I do not
! propose 90 interfere with or resist the &C.
tInn Of the Administration 80 long as the
bsllot-bOx Is free and the way thereto is
untrammeled. When these rights are de.
MED the citizen the right Of revelation be
gins
have been raised M in, and trained in
the doctrines of the Methodist EpiscopaI
| Church. i was taught to love and rever.
ence her. 10 my childhood / joined the
the church. and ten years OF nv Iife-the
most vigorous end perhaps beU,-hsve
been spent in trying to build up her hest
interests as an Inherent minister And 7
here say that there is MT one of nv age
! in the ministry who has done more tn per-
maneutly establish MethUd.sm than I
| have.
When Joined the conference, ! did IL
with the foil intention Of spending nv life
! a. 40 humble minister Of Christ, and % to
this time my purposes have not changed.
But, sir, / am srraigned before this con.
ference as criminal. not charged with in.
efficiency or immortality or unacceptihiIity,
but 10 the language of nv PresIding Elder
1t IS tohoty on account Of my political SEN
t,ments. in a tcOrd, that am a Democrat
But being firmly and reiIgI"usIy convinced
OF the correctness of my political opinions,
L shall continue to think for myself, and
vote for WbomsoeSer l please, regardless of
Consequences.
After some discussion, the previous CUES
ton was ordered, and the substitute wa.
| adopted.
Bishop Scott then administred a repri
mand to Mr.. Howard whereupln, he ask.
ed for and was granted Q location.
He thus reIires from the conference,
owing TO political prescriptions end Abo>
lti intolerance. Comment is nnneees.
! sarv.
The extent to which political proscrip-
ti0n was carried in this and in other cases
provoked the wrath OF tire venerable DR.
Cartright. He publicly rsbuked the con-
duct of the conference in this matter.
understand thst the Democratic Meth
odirts ct Pleasant Paine, 10 this county.
are going to employ Mr.. Howard, q: lib.
eral salary. to preach to thei: church du-
riug the coming year.
A child is never happy from having his
own way. Decide for him, and be has but
one thing to do Pot him to please himself,