The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1870-05-10
For the Palla iium.

For the Pala iium.
B. w. DAvIs,-With your permission,
I will add word Or two to your gentle
hints to the Goode minister Of the gospel,
who denounced certain newspapers be-
cause they expressed opinions adverse
to his own, on a question, which arbitra
ny power diverted from its proper chan
mel for ventilation, if not adjudication.
am not interested in either party, to
this ridiculous controversy nor in the
church from which it emanated: but
have, with you, been lifelong supper
ter of all the good principles which are
usually awarded to it, yet l find in Mr..
Goodies illiberai criticisms on the part
taken l'y certain papers, the same spirit
that prevails among politicians or spec
ulating rings, when their policy is
assailed. My knowledge of the history
of the Palladium, at once condemned
the charges, and was disposed to think
that Bro. Goode would not have indulge
ed illiberal remarks, or unkind ref1ec-
tons on you in particular, but would
allow other men, especially men of
Methodist proclivities, the privilege of
entertaining their own views in regard to
the action Of conference in this case, or
any other. he constitution of the
United States requires that a man SHALL
be tried by his peers before he is con-
demned to suffer the penalty of the law,
and no power exists in any political or
ecclesiastical organization, except it be
an arbitrary one, to avert this provision.
1t is not necessary to become a MEM
Der of Congress, or of Conference, TO
secure rights of defence in any matter
that body-neither is such relation sew
cred without its action, SO long as the
party may be able to disclaim the sever
ance legitimately. The simple handing
over of commission to preach, to an
other minister, who is also amcnable to
the conference, does not constitute a
severance from it until the same is ac-
cepted, and when the withdrawal. Of such
ance, the question then comes mp as to
the condition of surrender. and could not
be legally ruled out, for want of juris-
diction.' That this is one of the duties
doubt, and it would have been far more
creditable to this church, renowned for
its liberal principles, to have entertain ed
Mr.. KS plea of haste, or excitement or
unwise council, which it is understood
he makes, and have given him the op-
portunity to submit his plea and defend
himself from outside issues, and at the
same time ameiorate the asperities which
it has engendered.
Admit the probability Of some impro-
preties on his part, several years gone
by, and recognize the great good that
has resulted from his ministrations since
then, and take into account the mental
and physical organization of the man,
which the world knew only as part of
itself. and there is nothing to warrant
the outiages which the agitation of this
subject is calculated to occasion. Better
far suppress agitation and quiet the pangs
Of an afflicted family and restore it to
life and health, naturally, morally, and
religiously, in monty christian spirit,
e'er it is too late. The church can gain
nothing by doing injustice to one party.
to secure justice to another; she should
therefore take this case in hand and
carry out the principles which she pro-
fesses, laying aside all technicalities or
bubbles. The right hand Of fellowship
will do more to develope and promote
justice, than any legal tribunal in the
land. O.S.