Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-03-08
Ohio 9tatesnra,r
.sTHE BIBLE AND BULLETS "
Riot at Calumet, Indiana, NncIte d
by an Abolition Preacher.

To the Editor Of the Chicago Times:
| In these "times that try mems souls" any
thing pertaining to politics and public speeches
is sought after and read with much avidity BY
the people; aud presuming that the readers of
the Times are anxious to keep "posted" on all
that 10 transpiring In our own and adjoining
Stltes, propose to give you an inkling of the
way In which ministers OF the Gospel do
things In Indiana. As sickening and revolt
ing, as diabolioal and malicious as they may
appear, what propose to relate is strictly
true:
At Calumet, q town of some Eve hundred in
habitants, situated on the Michigan Southern
railroad, near the crossing of the Michigan
Central railroad, In Porter county, Rev. Cap
tain William Copp was announced to speak on
Monday evening, March %. The evening came,
and with it the speaker, The audience gath
cred. The speaker took the stand; opened the
Bible before him; unbuttonsd his coat; took
from his side.pocket q navy revolver, which he
deliberately placed by the side of the Sacred
Book, and announced that bis subiec. would be,
"The Bible and Bullets" The audience was
large one for that place, and composed of
Democrats and Republicans, expecting when
they came together, to hear tho truth from
divine who had been 10 the service. They ex-
pected that he, at least, would deal Justly to
all mon--"nothing extenuate or aught set down
in malice;" but what was their ast6niehment
when, after brief Introductory, to hear him
propose to take a vote of the meeting to see
how many of those present would "assist in
hanging the copperheads of that county" At
this juncture the Democrats present withdrew
to the street, whero the Abolitionists followed
them, aesaulting them with pistols, knives,
bludgeons, and, in short, with everything avail
ablc-insiantly killing Robert Lake, and seri
ously wounding - Mulhill and Thomas
Mooney. Ia that immediate vicinity the most
intense excitement prevails, and more blood
shed is anticipated before the affair is ended.
The Democracy of that vicinity are not the
attacking party; they stand on the defensive
and the consequences Of inauguratinG civil war
at home rest upon the Republican or Abolition
party, hissed on by one who has protested to be
teacher of the precepts of "the meek and
lowly Jesus" The responsibility of what fol-
lows ia with them, and the blood of Robert
Lake IL upon the ekirts Of this clerical hypo-
critic.
But this Ia not oil. A few days previous to
this affrsy, this same demon Copp spoke at
Valparaiso, in the same county, announcing the
same subject, and buntly asking how many of
those present were ready and willing to assist
F. Y. j. Merrifeld, Judge Woodruff and David
Oaks," FIVE of the most prominent and wealthy
citizens of Valparaiso, whose only crime is
that of sustaining the Constitution. Upon the
vote being put, about two.thirds OF the audi
ence arose to their feet, when the estimabe
lady OF one of the men sssailed withdrew; and
IL is only the love of law and order entertained
by the people of Valparaiso that saved this
white 'cravsted miacreant from dangling from
limb of one Of the trees that adsrn that beau
tiful court house square.
How long must these things be tOlerated?-
How long will the people be compelled to toll
crate the canting Of such base hypocrites and
demagogues2 Upon what evil times have We
fallen, when men under the garb of religion,
walk to and fro through the earth, stirring up
strife and melting blOod-shed, instead of coun-
selling love and mercy2 Are our rights as free
men, guaranteed by the Constitution, to be base
ly trampled beneath the feet of Abolition cru.
saders, the laws OF our country desecrated, and
the pulpit and the Bible made subservent to
the ends and aims Of despots and tyrants2 Is
there no more protection to the rights of free
men in this country? And must We tamely sub
nit to be shot down in cold blood for daring to
choose our own political faith?
| would not counsel resistance to any of the
laws of our country. As good citizens and pat
riots, We must obey the laws; but, when as
saulted in open day, it is surely our right to act
in self'defense. Democrats will not be the at
tacking party; but if these assaults are con-
tinued, "forbearance will cease to be q virtue"
and blood will flow at home as it has on the
battlefield. We hope these things will not
be; but. unless Republicans wish il, they must
stop their "mad career"
YOura ntn JI1STIHE