Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1870-09-07
Slandering the Dead.

what in a rejecting mood, l shall
follow in TIE path Of the immortal
Mdckley in his random thoughts, by
giving the carly history of our
country and the mighty changes
that haye been wrought since the
settling of the same by the first pi-
oneer; also, the biography of those
who braved the dangers of the will
derness, and made this, the town
ship of Wilkesville, theirnew home,
founding, as early as 1910, the old
town of Wilkes.
Among those who thus early en-
igrated, were: Heratio Strong, Hi
ram Booth, Sen., and Matthias Croy
all men of firmness, honor and in
tegrity; and through whose infiu-
ence our settlements were filled up,
schools established, churches organ
lied, education and morality advan-
ccd.
One of the most active in these
laudable enterprises was Matthias
Croy, who was Jealous worker in
the cause of religion; being resto-
rationst in belief, and who brought
up large and respectable family;
some Of whom are still living, tho
the father and his son Benjamin
have long since been numbered with
the judged nations of the earth,
leaving host of friends and ac-
quaintances, whose friendship, es-
TEEN and confidence they never be-
trayed-being men of great natural
abilities, strong powers Of mind,
standing prominently fur above in
honor and intellect the few sectari-
an bigots who would now defame
their fair name.
So have they slumbered undistur-
bed until recently at a pretended
dedication of an old church, (Which
was dedicated long ago by older
and wiser heads) they were resur-
rected by the reading Of novel,
written years ago, by one Abe
Blakloy, lovesick simpleton whose
matrimonial offers were rejected at
the time by the daughter Of Matthias
Croy. Hence, the novel in which
base and willful falsehoods were set
forth, as to the standing, morality
and influence of the honored dead,
as can be attested by scores of old
citizens.
Strange that o christian church,
an enlightened audience, a people
having the love of God shed abroad
in their hearts, would be little
enough to attack the character of
those who have long since gone to
rest; and who, if living, they dare
not do, simply to produce sensa-
tion-to have something done which
they We're unable to do by regular
logical and systematic preaching.-
This we claim was compromising the
honor Of the church, by attacking
the dead, who, being dead, could not
defend themselves, as an imposition
upon theintelligence Of the audience
and an insult to the friends and
relatives Of the deceased.
We have some manuscripts which
informs us Of several Serere cases Of
bastardy among the members Of
said church, two of which cases
were with their own nieceS, as the
records ofthe courts will bear tes-
timony. Said parties are all living,
two Of whom are as yet "consisteLt"
members of the same church.
Now, from the basis which they
have assumed, we would charge such
immoral, unlawful conduct to the
regular teachings and trainings of
said church.
But nay, we have more charity,
moro feeling, more honor, and we
hope moro sense than to make any
such charge, or even think that
christian churches allowed or incul-
Gated any such conduct We look
upon it as originating from the fral-
ity Of humanity. Consequently it
seems to us that those who live in
glass houses should be very 10th to
throw stones; especially in this case,
where so many members Of said
church fall far below the mark Of
rectitude; and the most influential
member among them, though not a
member, lives not above suspicion.
From an outside standpoint it ap-
pears that christians should be meek
and circumspect in their actions, So
ciablc and friendly with their fellow
man, deporting themselves so that
their good works may follow them,
with enmity toward none and char
ity for all considering man as the
fral son Of mortality, and liable to
err; not as we generally find them,
a class of superstitious, self-esteem-
ed, unsociable, unfriondly, unchair-
liable, unfceling, egotistical bigots,
considering themselves as Gods
chosen fc,0, and consequently Of too
high an order Of being to mingle |
with their fellow man in the lowly |
walks of life, and thus use their in
huencc in turning men from wick
edness to righteousness; from immor-
atty and crime to morality and true
Goodness,
AN OLD CITIZEN. |