The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-06-26


which enables him to meet almost an,
question with ready and commonly
witty reply.
During the earlier period of the occu
patton Of New Orleans. persons we're con
stan,ly applying to him to give them ar
order TO search within our lines for runa.
way negroes; and it is a good illustration
OF the assurance Of our enemies, that in a
majority OF cases The persons so applying
were avovsd traitors. The following is q
fair sample Of the conversation that would
follow such an application.
General, | wish you would give me
an order to search for my negro" the Wis.
itor would commence.
"Hays you lost your horse?' the Gen.
eral would ask, in reply.
'iNo, SIR"
"Have you lost your muley" the Gene
raj would add.
"Ne. Sir, the applicant fer the order
would answer. looking exceedingly pux
zled at such unusual questions.
"Well, sir, if ron had lost your horse
or your mule, would you come and ask me
to neglect my duty to the Govern ment
for the purpose of assisting you to catch
them?"
"Of course not" the visitor would re-.
ply, with increasing astonisment.
Then why should you expect me to
employ myself in hunting after any other
article of your property"
And with this comforting and practic-
al application of the Dred Scott decision,
the ex-onner Of the fugitive slave would
take his departure, and, doubt not.
sadder man.
During an interview between the Gen.
sral and the Rev DR. Leacock, (rector OF
Grace Church in New Orleans, and one
of the three Episcopel clergym men who re-
fused to read the prayer for the Presl dent,
and were therefore sent North as prisoners,
under my charge in which the General
urged upon tho Doctor his views on the
injurious influence Of disloyalty in the pull.
pit, sustaining his argument by prolific
quotations from Scripture, recited with an
accuracy and apposi,eness that few theo-
logiaDs could exceed, the Doctor replied:
"But, General, your insisting upon the
taking the oath of allegiance is causing
half OF my church members to pe1ure
themselves"
'.If that is the case. am glad have
not had the spiritual charge of your church
for the last nine years" Gust the term of
DR.. Leacock's pastorate. the General an
swsred promptly
After a lengthy conversation the Doctor
finally asked:
"Well, General, are you going to shut
up the churchesy"
"No, sir lam more likely 70 shut up the
ministers," he replied
To the casual observer this would ap-
pear but a brilliant rep.rt-e, while, in fact,
it was significant as indicative Of a Saga
cious policy. Closing the churches would
have given warrant TO the charge Of inter
ference with the observaness of religion.
So careful was the General to avoid any
thing Of this nature, that, in every in
stance where a clergyman was removed
from his chnrch, the very next Sunday
found his pulpit occapied BY loyal min
lister.
As great many excellent churchmen
have misunderstood the cause OF the ar
rest of clergymen in New Orleans, I think
! must add word Of explanation
The ministers 90 arrestsa wsre of the
Episcopal denomination. in which the
rector is required to read liturgy pre-
scribed by the General Convention. In
this liturgy occurs "a prayer for the Pres
ident Of the United States, = and its omis-
sion in their reading Of the service was
clearly an overt act Of disloyalty, in that
it vas by unmistakable implication dec
laration that they did not recognize the
authority Of the President of the United
States; aud it is fact no~ general known,
that this commission in the service was
supplied by the ministers regularly an
nouucing, IA few moments will now be
spent in silent prayer" Who can doubt
the character and burden Of this voiceless
petition. when it is underaiood that it wss
the successor ofan audable appeal-which
Gen. Butler suppressed--to heaven for
Jefferson Davis and the success OF his
cause?
PATRIorIsx OF TIE PHILApELrHrA
DIAL When Gov. Curtin issued his ap.
peal for troops, Mr. Cohen, the proprie.
tor of the Philadelphia Dial, immediately
suspended the publication Of his paper
and organized company to start forth
with for Harrisburg. Every man in the
ofice voiuntseted-editOrs, printers and
al K t . i