Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-12-20
Letter from Rev. Fhos. II. Pearne.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn, Dec. 9Th, 1865

Qlst EplsCOpai ministers and members within the
Knoxville District, wish to be heard through you
columns, on a subject of grave Importance
have observed, with profound regret, DISPOSE
ton TO interrupt and mob preachers Of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, South in different parts of
East Tennessee. Several instances have recently
occurred in McMinn county and elsewhere, where
they have been ridden on rails and otherwise vio-
lently interrupted. 1 have nothing to say, in ex-
tenuation of the wrong doings of the Holston Con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
as body, nor of the very offensive conduct of some
of its members, as individuals. IT, cir deeds have
passed into history Right-minded men have adj
Judged them. I cannot doubt, nor deny that the
loyal people of East Tennessee have had great pro-
vocation to resentment towards certain rebel preach
ers; that is, preachers "who imbibed the spirit of
the late rebellion" and under its inspiration,
acted, not only in violation of the planest teach
ings of Christianity, but also of the common in
stincts and impulses Of correct, elevated manhood
Nor may I omit to state, that Christian ministers,
who have melted to rebellion, who have instigated
the killing of Union men, who have voted them out
Of Church fellowship for their loyalty, and who so
far as their official action could do So have consign-
ed Union men TO graceless perdition, must have
considerable cheek to come among people towards
whom they have thus acted and propose to take
pastoral oversight Of them and administer to them
the gospel of Christ.
Yet, admitting all this to mob, and violently NAL
treat such ministers, whatever their alleged or real
ofenses, is wrong in principle upwise in policy and
Of dangerous tendency.
! Now, that war has ceased and the civil law has
succeeded to the military power, for persons who
have done unlawful or feonious acts, there is e-
gal tribunal, where they may and should be held TO
answer in civil damages or criminal penalties
NegeCting these modes of redress and proceeding to
mob violence is unlawful and evil In time ofpeacc,
Lynch law against rebels, even, whether ropentant
or unrepentant is as wrong IN, principle as Lynch
| law against Union men for loyalty. Always, and
everywhere, it is essentially wrong.
/ The policy is as unwise and mistaken as the
! principle is vicious; because force is no argument
convinces no one establishes nothing as 80 itstruth
or error. The teachings and practice of the Church.
! South, to rebellion and kindred subjects being
wrong, they not likely to be shown wrong or
refuted by mob and gag-law. Besides, as persecu-
ton always ELECTS sympathy and support in favor
of the prosecuted and their cause to violently at
tan,rt IN hinder tho access Of Southern reocbnrs tn
+bo ,oo,lo sc ro.+ Fo,,oss,o &c tho .,,ras, -
ooinir- e., ,Loss Southern roocbor, what Tho IN
1osio - ,ro,-o,, This no1ov dcf,,t. its
,,r I,r,oso ON, ~ cause of
because it makes friends for the prosecuted and
acts upon the prosecutors.
The tendency of such conduct Is dangerous 1t
i iD,-,riob1, ord revitebI towards the brorv
If fro; institutions and the destruction Of noonIes
1;l,u.io. T;bo-,,. or .reoob No. 1io.r.o
constitutional ricit eIararroed 70 every citizen Of
tho Irri,ed stote. For III, ob,,so f This ri,bt thu
nor,or i s,,bioct 20 lam, No. force IF This Tfrbt (
/ =.
IoIeIoiy oil" ID "IeSSiS ueH'" W any 'i'9o u 0i'i
zehs, OF on any S"2'c5 OF pr any reason! III 90 lar
ID" ana oruer are oyeF'nro"n ana oil "PlIoSc" ]"
maze 10 anarchy ana 10 P"y'.c "i" PERSONA l"seCu
ilS "oO 'Ioie"Ce' 'o1el"''u vi oIo 0""'0'' VI IoI
any special cause may II uIne' oe Iole[S'eu IoF
otneI cause" ana therefore II Is noU s"le III 'IL0s
Oh peace eacn clzeh dearest ana Dlos'
ci'Ii are lse'"I"'eIy UOUlu "P "iiU Oon
HeCIeu WILL INC u p"oi'C olCeI HUI
'iuu@i IISnt7' anu Ino iLaJee u 'Nc Si'ii low"
II preachers .! 'ne -ne'noulS' CH"i'i, I0"."'
Win RECORD sU"lneu VIII u-sioS"'9 al" OioOuy
VIII [eoeln0n' nave 'ns :''0t"y 10 A'ycniP' u
preach III loy"I 'oLlii "nei' 'h'i' uee"' o'0
wei! Ano"H NY 0o'LS,' "o,',u W. 90 '.1"' ~
nun ii,'- ''0 'io' "''i'
10 iet" 'ii'" .. u :. 'I'N'o .l'-"' 'r'
NV l-.'..'rtI n.y.
u'elS u S,'t men
Sp ut'y 'o,. .', ,',- 49,,
-, Nh
- :.
-0.,:--I - 60 - 80.
cannot Ue sUs'"LI01 "' 'ii loi '.''''"' C0nHo