Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1866-06-27
The South.

TESTIMONY OF a CLERGYMAN To LAwLESsNEss
We can well understand that good and pous men
of Southern education should cling to their preju-
dces the slavery question although they that
their conduct toward the negro race has been cen
sured by the entire christian world. But we are at
loss to explain by what sophism they car ul their
conscences to silence regards the continued at
taCks upon the life and property Of peaceful men
among them by ex-rebels and prominent members
of their communions. They know the numerous
facts which their journals find it impossible to pass
over in absolute silence. We could cite dozens of
glarng acts of persecution, but we have only room
to refer TO the recent outrage upon the Rev. Mr..
Lewis, Presiding Elder of the Charleston District
of the Methodist Episcopal Church Mr.. Lewis, in
letter to Gen. Devens, has given plain statement
of the facts the accuracy of which so far as we
know, has never been called in question. He had
been preaching 10 a congregation of five hundred
people mostly freedmen. The sermon was of
strictly religious character eXhorting the freedmen
'o steadiness in religious truth and righteousness
and assured them that, by their INDUSTRY honesty
and poLiteaess they would best work out the prob
lem of their freedom; and, having the fruits
of their own labor, they would he expected to i'm
prove their homes, establish schools and churches
for themselves, and that their white friends both
North and South would assist them"
An old white resident of South Carolina who
heard the sermon expressed his entire qualification
with it, invited Mr.. Lewis to his house and urged
him to come again. On the next day he intended
to take the cars to return TO Charleston. His expo
rience while waiting for the arrival of the train we
give in his own words:
I'm few minutes two men whom l afterward
learned to he VIM. Gilmore Simms, Jr, and Daniel
Rowe, left their comrades and came to where was
standing. As they approach l said Good morn
ing gentlemen Simms replied, Perhaps So or
something of that import He then said Are YOU
the id Yankee preacher who harangued the
niggers here yesterday? l replied: am a minis
ter of the Gospel and held religious services here
yesterday. He then said i demand your author
ity.' l asked 1chGt authority they wished and if
that Of Gen Sickles or Devens would do Simms
replied D-n Gen. Sickles and Devens, and the
whole Yankee nest. l have fought them for four
years and l want to fight them four years longer"
told him that we all ought TO appeal to the civil
or military authorities to have our grievances re-
dressed. he replied; we make and execute our
own laws on Yankees here He said had boosted
of federation and Yankee safety here in the South,
but he would teach me a different lesson and that
Yankee teachers or preachers would be hung TO the
first tree if they dared to into that district
! asked, Are you not Union man, now, and do
you not accept the situation ? Simms replied am
a johnson Union man. which means white mans
country and death to every id niger worship
per. Both Simms and Rowe used many other
threats of violence, and much insulting language,
evidently awaiting some word er gesture from me
10 commence personal violence.
During this conversation Abram Middleton,
a colored man who accompanied me from Charles
ton walked from the railroad track towards us, and
when about three yards of Rowe said: Go back
Would black rascal, or III blow your brains out,
at the same time drawing a revolver from his belt
and aiming il at Abrams head. Abram halted and
wentto turn away when Rowe, instead of firing,
leaned forward and struck at his head with his PTS
toll; but Abram lodged war ding of the blow with
his arm, and fed -lUcthodist.