The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-08-15
LEXINGTON, VA, August l3, 1868.

The colorcd people Of the community
have been considerably excited Tor the past
week over meeting Of the valley AMI
can Baptist Association.
Your correspondent did not attend the
sessions Of the body, and is therefore una
bic to report what action was had; but
little episode in the line of drumming the
churches " occurred which should be known
to the country.
The Methodist Episcopal house Of wor-
ship here is claimed by three parties-viz.,
the white membership Of the church, who
are, of course the true owners OF the pro-
rertv, the northern Methodist Church, and
the negroes who used to belong to the white
church, but after the surrender formed
separate organization Of their own.
Under the provisions of General Scho-
fields order concerning disputed church
property, Captain Peoples, then military
tycoon for this division" ordered that
the whites and negroes should hold the
church alternate weeks. He fixed the time
himself when each should have possession,
and fixed it 10 suu tie convenience aitd
ori>he$ Of the negroes.
When the time for the meeting of the
Association came the while Baptist church
here passed resolutions that while they were
perfectly willing for their house to be occu-
pied by the coorcd people themselves, they
were unwilling that it should be used Tor
any meeting in which Rev. j. Z. Corron
was in any way participant, as they had
no confidence in the Christian or moral in
tegrity Of said }. p. Corron. Following
the lead of their Baptist brethren, the
trustees of the white Methodist church told
the negroes and their champion, Lieutenant
Wagner, that they were unwilling that their
house should be occupied by Corrou, while
perfectly willing that the negroes Should
use it.
But this did not suit. Brother Corron "
must have hearing; and If the poor, de-
luded trustees could not see It, why II
became Lieutenant Wagner's duty to en-
tighten them by the bayonet. II is true
that it was the Sunday on which (by Cap
tain Peepes's order) the whites were emit
tied to the control of the church; but what
of that Was not his military highness
sent here for the express purpose OF man
aging matters to suit the kads, and was 1t
not a burning shame that "trooly loll u
preacher should be denied access to any
pulpit which he might desire to entert The
path of duty was plain, and the following
order was at once issued:
"OFFlcE MILITARY COMMANDER,
TwENTy-FoUKTH Dlv'N VIRGINIA,
"LExINGToN, VA, August s, 1868.
".Mr. Ramsey, and the other Trustees o
the Methodist EpiScopd! Church.:
Sirs,-The Methodist congregation Eco
lored) desire the use Of the church Jointly
occupied with you for an important pur
pose tomorrow, and the arrangement be-
tween you, based on General Schotield's or
der, is therefore SO far changed as to com
mence their next week of occupation THU
evening, and you will please send me the
key by the bearer.
"Very respectfully,
"JACOB WAGNER,
"Lieutenant Twenty ninth Infantry, Mill
tary Commander Twenty-fourth Division
of Virginia"
This order, couched in polite military
phrase, evidently smelt Of the bayonet, and
the trustees, to the deep regret Of the com-
munity, yielded the key. Do our military
masters propose TO 'run the churches 2
and if so, is it to be done at the mere ca
price of any subordinate who may think
proper to undertake it !? The opposition O
the people here to "Rev." J. P. CorroI
will probably be trumpeted through the re-
Hgious press of the North as an example o.
southern opposition to the religious instrue'
ton OF the negro, whereas it is only tn.
character Of the instruction that we protest
against. If the Home Mission Society,"
New York, will investigate the matter they
will find this martyrto principle" utterly
unworthy of their confidence, and that he
is bringing their Society into utter disrepute
and contempt all through this region.
Our community have been indignant t.
the highest degree at the pardon Of the negro
Burns, who, after fair trial, was convict
cd of burglary and an attempt TO rape ,
by high-minded jury Of this county, wht
patiently heard all Of the testimony, anc
decided under oath that he was guilty
And yet our SO called " Governor" has par.
doned the miscreant, and endorsed ON the
papers, I" Pardon granted on the petition Of
Major General 0. 0. Howard and Bureau
officers who were present and heard the
testimony in the case, on the ground that
there is no evidence tending to show On
attempt to commit rape"
The verdict of d sworn jury, confirmed by
his Honor, Judge Shelley, and even by the
prisoners own counsel, is thus set aside
upon the petition Of the negro worshipper
who presides over the Bureau, and the I'M
supported opinions OF Mesers. FraSar and
49,. ,os.so, ly not f.t ip1rna N