The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1871-07-13
or elected to seats in either branch

or elected to seats in either branch
of Congress
Why is it that these immaculate
guardians Of the purity of religion
do not caution the ministers and
"chosen laymen" of the Presbyterian
church a. ainst any undue expression
of preference for my esteemed per
sonal friend, the Hon. w. B. Allison,
for the Senate, who is said to be
pew-holder and supporter of the
Presbyterian Church at Dubuque
or, for my recent colleague, Senator
Howell, who is a consistent member
of the Presbyterian Church at KeO,
kuk, or advise the ministers and
"ehosen laymen" of the Congrega-
ional Church to be coy of any such
expression in favor of Governor
Merrill, or my esteemed colleague
in the House, Mr.. Palmer all four OF
whose names have been mentioned
prominently candidates for the Sen
ate? And, if it should be rumorned
that one of their divines or "leading
members may have written a pri-
vate or confidential letter to a broth
err, couched in friendly terms Of AL
lison, Howell, Merrill, or Palmer, rec
ommendlug his election-not on re-
ligious grounds but on personal mer-
it-why not ego for it" with search
warrant or an offer of ga thousand
dollars reward?" And when it is
found published it with fourishing
of trumpets and gibbet the author
as an objectionable "busy body" and
"intermeddler in other mems mat
ters?" And if this generous atten-
ton is not given to ministers and
''leading members" of other denOm-
nations, is it merely because Meth
odists need political guardians more
than other religionists?
In conclusion, may | be pardoned
for saying word or two to my fell
low citizens in Iowa of German ORR
gin who may be followers of the Ger
man schools of liberal philosophy,
free thinkers, or materialists. Is it
wise to select your candidates for
official station: because of their sup
posed liberal views in the accepted
theological sense of that phrase?-
in the language of Der Deme0krat,
to labor to until "the liberal element
for political ends ?" Would not this
be as dangerous to civil liberty as .
union as ofctarianS for such a pur-
pose ?-Would not successful intol-
erance against members of religious
sects be as fearful in it's consequent
ces to our free institutions as intOl-
arance by sect? Is it not the
same spirit which has made the
guillotine drip with the human
blood and led untold thousands to
the stake? And would not the sup
port of candidates for Office for such
considerations engender and cult.
waited hypocrisy? Even in this case,
either you are deceived in supposing
that the Hon. w. B. Allison is
a free thinker, or the Presby
terians of Dubuque, in supposing
him TO be sincere worshipper il
their religious temple, where l an
told he has been pew-holder, and
a reasonably faithful attendant, as
well as a generous supporter of theil
church enterprises. 1t occurs to me
that, Notwithstanding long person
al acquaintance and association al
colleagues in Congress, l am misin
formed, or, to adapt the apt Ian
guage of the Dubuque Times, "some
body has been most beautifully
sold. "
And now let me say final wore
on this subject to the people of lows
who may read this letter. l hav'
Fever asked, expected or desired
support for any official station on &C
count of religious considerations.
have never, at any time, adopted
means either direct or indirect, t.
secure church influence for such ;
purpose. And although l am tranl
to confess that | esteem the right t.
speak for Iowa on the floor of tn
American Senate at this period il
theIworld's history, the greatest hon
or with which a citizen can be cloth
ed, yet unless cheerfully conferred
by free people from a mature AMI
deliberate conviction that all thing
considered, it would be best for tn
State and the great Republic,
would despise myself if I did no
scOrn the distinction.
With great respect,
Your sincere friend,
JAS. HARLAN.