Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1865-11-21
For the Spectator.

the communication signed "Ottobine" it is
best to say few things. Ia the first place,
| if nothing is said, many would be left under
the impression that "Ottobine'' is a member
of the United Brethren Church from the
fact that Otterbein was one of the Fathers in
the Church. Otterbein was distinguished
for his profound learning, deep piety, earnest
zeal, and great success, as minister OF
Christ, and at the same time remarkable for
his Catholic spirit, spirit that would lead
him to exclaim, "Mercy, grace, and peace be
multiplied to all that bye our Lord Jesus
Christ in sincerity" Whether the nj aor
possesses the above characteristics to suff
cient degree to assume the name of Ottobine,
and to direct the United Brethren Church
what to say and what to do, will leave the
public to judge, who know the Major better
than do. do not, Mr.. Editor, complain
that the resolutions of the General Confer
ence were published, but at the same time
we feel that it is our privilege 10 correct
those who willfully or ignorantly put con-
struction on the resolutions not contemplated by
those who voted for them, nor justified by the
| language employed. In communication pub
lished in the Spectator tax en- from the Rei-
gious Telescope have said what we meant by
equality before the law, and it is not necessary
for me to repeat what then said. The Major
thinks that the question of equality before the
law and the right of suffrage sis one of the most
| important questions agitating the public mind
If 50, surely have much right to give an
honest expression of my opinion on the subject
as any other man or set of men, As an Ameri
can Citizen, this right is guaranteed to me, and
| this right will exercise when, in my Judgment,
| it is necessary. When say that the black man
should stand on equality with the white man
before the law, | mean more than what was
expressed by Judge Watson, in the Va. Synod of
the Presbyterian Church which convened in
Lynchburg few weeks since. Showing the i'm
portance of educating the Freedmen, the Judge
uses the following language: Ct quote from the
Central Presbyterian of the 10Th of Oct) 'This
is not all. The negro will exercise important
civil rights He did not refer to the question of suf
frage; but they will be witnesses in our civil
Courts, and you can't prevent it, if you would
The prevailing policy now elsewhere is to throw
open the door for testimony as wide as
possible, and then let it be weighed for what
| it is worth. Recent legislation in Virginia
allows man sued to testify in his own
behalf. Negroes will and be sued and, if
SO, the Legislature will be under the absolute ne
cessity of admitting their testimony. This time
is not far off, This is the language of an intelli
gent Christian gentleman on the floor Of the Va
Synod, and yet do not hear murmur of COM
plant. suppose as Major Mc'Cue is very
close observer of passing events that he has not
failed to notice the advice of expos tmaster Gen
eral of the late Confederacy, j. H. Reagan, to the
lpeople of Texas. The advice I think is good
and is worthy Of the consideration, not only Of
the peo pie of Texas but of the Southern people
generally. l will only give, for the benefit of the
| Major and some others, who complain so Justify
about my vate, what they call ''that
| o1,,t,o - fau
Reagan recommends, s'First. Extending the priv
! ileges and rejection of the laws over the
negroes as they are the whites and
allowing them to testify in the Courts on the
same conditions; leaving their testimony subject
to the rules relating to its credibility; but not
obiecting to its admissibility. And in this you
will conform with the wise current of modern leg
isation, and the tendency of all judicial decisions
| in all enlightened countries. And, Second. BY
| fixing an intellectual and moral and if thought
necessary, a property test for the admission of
all persons to the elective franchise without ref
erence to race or color, which would secure its
intelligent exercise Surely, Major after hear
ing this advice from one who was in Jefferson Da-
Wis Cabinet, you ought not to take it so hard
that should give my vote in favor of placing all
men on equality before the law.
The Major says that married in respectable
connexion and reared most interesting family
that commands the esteem, as | did the en-
tire respect, of all who knew me up to
the time of the session of last General
| Conference Thank you, Major, for this COM
pliment ! L wish | could say much for you.
You might have added that never was a busy
body in other mems matters, and as much as
possible endeavored TO live s'peaceably with sll
men," Why was it that commanded the sympat thy
and respect of other denominations and was in
vited into their pulpits suppose it was because
never endeavored to injure the reputation of
- Il
belong and that the doctrines preached were
in accordance with Gods word. But if l must
lose the esteem and respect Of other demo nina
tions because have said word in favor of the
ssfreedmen," so be it, will still enforce the du-
ty of doing Justly to all men Of every race and
color.
Major, if you think that Will recant and make
a sacrifice of What believe to be correct prnci
pies, in order to become popular to avoid being
traduced by evil-disposed meddlers. religious
bigots, you are very much mistaken And if you
suppose that the Church of the United Brethren
in Christ can be destroyed by any influence you
can bring to bear against her, you will find that
all your efforts vain. And it will be well for
all who are now laboring for humiliation to
remember that perhaps the very means employed
for destruction may be overruled for our fur
ther success and prosperity. 1t was said of Gods
ancient people, 'that the more they were afflicted,
the more they multiplied and grew" There is
this consolation attending persecution: 1t often
exalts the spirit of the prosecuted, and often
ers with honor tn ose whom it had destined to
shame. Persecution fights against itself, and
builds up those whom it tolls to destroy. The
Major says if the members of the church canno t
endorse the action of the General Conference,
set each individual church hold meet ings and de-
nounce them. This is clearly their duty" l
thought, Major, you had said in your controversy
with Mr.. Cochran ellis charge that (you) have
a taste for controversy with individuals, parties,
or religious associations, is gratuitous and will
amuse your readers, doubt, as chimera OF
Citizens brain - And now you are making
good the charge Of Mr.. Cochran, if you had not
done so before. The public will have no difficulty
in seeing that the charge of Mr.. Cochran was not
'schimera of the BRAIN" but true charge
There is necessity, Major, that you intrude
yourself upon the congregations of the United
Brethren Church as their spiritual advisor, for
they have not the most exalted opinion of your
competency to give advice in church matters. At
all events, when they want your advice, they will
ask for it. My opinion is, that congre-
cations are competent to manage their own affairs.
J. J. GLOSSBRENNER.
FLORAL HILL, Nov. 18th, 1865.
The Richmond Bulletin says that the imm edia tie
operation of an attack Of cholera is seen in the