The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1868-08-20


under a statute cxempting them from liza
bility to the laws, will result in blood
shed, unless the feeling here can be soften
ed, or the militia composed Of prudent,
discreet men.
So much for the situation. Some gen.
eral suggestions will now be made as to
the duties of all of our citizens, and after
wards some suggestions applicable to par
ticular classes.
DUTIES OF ALL GOOD CITIZENS IN GENERAL.
1t is a duty which every man owes to
society to endeavor to avert so dire a ca
lamity as that of neighbOr being again ar
rayed in deadly conflict against neigbor.
Much may be effected by all good cti-
zens setting their faces against lawlsssness
of every kind, and rendering cheerful
assistance in the enforcement of the laws
with impartiality, without favor or affec-
ton. Much may also be done by avoid
ing exciting and bitter discussions with
those who differ from us, and by refraining
from harsh aud excited remarks about
them, or their opinions and policy. flour
eyes arc black and our neighbours are blue,
let us not accuse him of great crime i'll
not seeing as we do; and let us not tear
his eyes out, nor hang him for the sup
posed crime. In ordinary times excited
remarks on political topics are compara-
lively harmless, and the best of men may
50 far forget themselves as to make such
remarks. But when the terrible storm
cloud of civil strife looms up, even in the
distance, such fOrgctfulness would be
greatly to be deplOred.
Ii we are to have political meetings and
speeches during the pending campaign, let
all good men try to prevent excitement
on such occasions. If political battles
must be fought, they can be fought as
well, perhaps, with the short sword of the
Romans as the gong of the Chinese. Or,
in plain English, it would be better to
use calm, logical argument on such occa-
sions, than to attempt to convince men
that you are right by marching in impos-
ing professions, and shouting and cheer
ing for yOur favorites, and grooming for
those of your adversaries.
DUTIES OF MAsoNs.
An unworthy and humble member of
the fraternity would appeal to his breth-
rem not to forget the duties they owe to So
ciety, as we'll as those which they owe to
God and to themselves.
If you have forgotten the exalted les
sons taught you in the Lodge, still if you
will read lin our manuals) the charges as
we'll as such portions of the lectures in the
degrees as are written, it will be unneces-
sary for you to peruse any further the
lines from this feeble pen.
DUTIES OF CHRISTIANS.
To this class of the community VIC all
look in time of misfortune and trouble.
But the writer feels that he is unworthy
to make any suggestions to them. He will
however remark as a matter of fact that
the different branches of the Christian
Church embrace such an amount not only
of numbers, but of intelligence, Virtue,
wealth and INFLUENCE, as enables them
to control in any matter in which theyare
united
They embrace the controlling element
of every profession and occupation, and of
every class of society, social and political
The Mechanics as we'll as the Farmers;
the White people as we'll as the Colored;
the Rich and the Poor; the Radical and
Conservative; the Pharisee, and the Pub
lican upon whom he is throwing mud all,
ALL may be controlled by those of the
class, profession or party who are embrace
ed within the different branches of the
Church.
Our Governor is jealous member of
one of those branches.
Now, Christians, like other men, differ.
They not only differ in politics, but in
matters of Religion. But surely they will
unite in trying to avert the dreadful ca
lamity with which we are threatened, and
thus refute the accusation so often heard
that the Bitterest Strife isin the Churches.
DUTIES OF RADICALS.
The radicals, of course, have it COM.
pletely in their power to control this mat
ter. Any considerable number of the in
Auential members of the party could, by
petitions to the Governor and Legislature,
have enough of influence to prevent the
militia from being called out. But per-
haps it is thought that such conflict
would not injure them. Perhaps little
reasoning may not be out of place On that
point. We all know, or ought to Know,
that when revolution begins, human
foresight cannot see where it will end.
When the late rebellion commenced, if a
man had told you what results it would