Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-04-29
Are already shricking a dirge for me.
A. Voice From The North.

We beg pardon of our readers (says the
Banner Of tAe S0atA) for presenting them
with the following letter. II is filled with
such abominabs sentiments; it breathes such
fierce hatred against the South; it puts forth
such remarkable doctlines-and all in the
name of religon-that we thought it useful
rs o sign of the times, as a straw, showing
the drift of the current, to give it to our
readers. 1t will show how some men hate
us, and regard that hatred as religious duty
II VIII snow HoW Isr' souic woui1 P'00ee0
against US; it will illustrate how free and un
sbackled is the Press of the North. We be-
lieve that this letter embodies the sentiments
OF great many of the NeTth. One bold
man expresses, through it, what thousands
feel. We ask Of ell our readers to peruse II
from the beginning to the end. We have no
comment to make. Here is the remarkable
letter:
SPIRIT OF THE RADICAL RELIGIOUS PRESS AND
puLpIr-A MOST REMARKABLE LETTER.
CHICAGO, ILL.,, November u, lS67.-Io
The Editor Of tile Knorciile Free Press:I"l
have noticed lately several editorial J aliu-
sions in your paper to what appears to be
matter Of feeling among the people OF East
Tennessee in regard to Methodist Church
property, and in yours Of the 9Th instant, un-
der the head Of Loyal Church. an article
signed 'Lover of Peace, on the same subject
From all have seen and heard on this sub
iect in the last three years, conclude that all
the supposed trouble in church property
among East Tennesseans has gown out OF
the action of Bishop Simpson in church mat
ters in that State; and supposing am right
| in this, beg leave to say a few words in de-
fence of Bishop Simpson, On the basis OF gen
eral principle 1t is evident, to my mind
that the gulf which separates the Southern
Methodist from the Northern Methodist l;
much deeper and wider than many suppose
So great, indeed, that it were folly to attemp
to bridge it, or for the two classes ever to
meet. 1, of course, belong to the Northern
Methodist class, and feel and speak in tbell
behalf, and, in doing so, shall exercise tina
frankness and candor of expression on th'
Methodist affairs that Wendell Phillips i
wont to do on political affairs.
SIN the first place, the Mcthodists, botl
North and South, need watering very muc
70 Srin. them up to the true standard Of coul
,gs and honesty necessary TO assert plainly
their true characters. Religion and politics are
in fact, Que and the same thing, and must
50 considered Tia all popular governments es
pecialy.) in fact, religion and politics hav
always been considered ore and the same
al nations. Ours was the first and only expel
iment, We know Of to treat the two as dis
linct elements in civil government, ard W
are fully justified in asserting that the eXps
rim ent has been faildre; or, Mt least, tn
eyper;mcat has had the same conflict th'
has always before resulted from opposing yea
All government is based on the rel siot
: cbarac .cr Of those who form and carry 1t On
: and when there becomes conflict OF view
in its administration, it arises, OF neccSSit
from religious differences. 1t Is the 'rellg
ous mind which makes and executes u
laws, and shapes, in every feature, the iegi
iation of a government. This Is fact Wnit
needs no argument TO prove it: because II
. opposite of the assertion cannot be found
81 exist in any nation on earth. The Unit
States IUfinS no eACeptlol, lDouSu 'h VI
system' we attempted it for eighty year
Still the religious power Of the human mil
y would at last prevail over all the other el
ments Of the government. Now. the strong
prevailed and took possession of all the pro
er,y and appliances appertaining to the orga
iza,ion of the weaker. The word Methodi
it is true, is applied to the two classes OF p
ple North and South, yet ore is like that
the IIindoo. Bishop Simpson represented
Northern masscsin taking possession OF prf
e.ty fairly won by conquest, in support a
!. defence of Northern religion, as opposed
. Southern religion, in the United States, a
in Which Northern religion nearly all otl
small denominations in the North agree
~ sympathize, and have an interest, thereto
~ =, in tho property acquired.
10 The Alethodists Of the North constitute
gs great directing power Of religion in Amerit
II. sllthc other denominations called Protestan
though differing in form, in ritual, and oil
minor points, yet follow. in substance, the
: l;eious course marked out by the great ruf
mower, the Northern Methodists. You n
rs well s,y that an army has no right to
ate. arms and supplies which it wins on the he
led fought field Of battle as to say that the Nor
out ern Methodist Church has no right to ev
re- church, sehool-house, and every acre of J!