The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14

and perjury. The whole accusation was per-
fectly suited to enkindle anew the flame OF
sectional hatred After consultation, calm,
dignifed reply and denial was drawn up by
the Rev. DR.. DOggett, "a Bishop of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and was signed
by every Protestant minister then in the city
of Richmond. Nothing could have been
more moderate, suitable and OppOrtune;
nothing more suited to quiet public feeling.
An advance slip was sent from this office to
the Neao York Observer, with a respectful
request from the signers to give it publica-
ton. The request was complied with, but
at the same time accompanied with what
was virtually reiteration of the charge.
Every reader" it said, twill at once no
tice that the denial has reference only to the
official acts of those implicated in the charge
of Governor Pierpoint. And week or
two after there was more to the same pur-
port; even more offensive. Then again,
few weeks after that we have the following:
"Ws regard the occasion as an appropriate one
for complying with the demands OF truth and Justice,
and giving expression to some of our views IN re-
gard to the attitude of the Christian ministers and
people of the South; to some of the former OF whom
our Richmond neighbor (the Cellest sfss ogtsslqa)
/ thinks we have alluded too ambig1ousY, although
we thought we had spoken quite inttihglbt W 9
say deliberately the result OF our eSpeitace ana
| correspondence aud personal observation M the
/ nd he ninO mn
| that can gather from every source, thst We con
slider the Christian people of the South generally
cergymen, laymen, laywomen, ana especially the
religious edtors-to be as hostile IN feenng 10 the
Government of the United States and the people OF
the North especially the Christian people OF the
North, as ever before. There exceptions to this
remark, and we would cheerfuly make them, but, &C
eOrding to the old maxim, the exception proves the
rule. Wewi go farther andssy, that we regard those
who are known SIS Christian people IN the South, as
having been, and as being now, even more opposed
TO the restoration of good feeling between the TWO
sections than the politicians and the men; for while
the latter classes have furnished many noble IN
stances among their leaders of men who have
frankly and publicly advocated the burying OF past
differences, we do not now recall single case In
J which leading minister of the South OF any de-
nomination has accepted the olive branch OF peace
and reconciliation which politicians have taken IN
their sphere We have travelled in the South since
the war we have read the religious papers OF the
South we have conversed with all classes OF per
sons who have visited the South; and the above If
the result OF our observation and experience"
This atrocious assault was repealed In some
degree as it deserved. A few years ago
when the Observer, which has never suffered
under the imputation of neglecting Johr
RandOlph's seven first principles ("6v'
lOaves and two fishes began to send dOwr
among these sandwitchedly factions, wicked
Southern Christians, an unlocked for prOfu
sion of honey and butter, shy doubt wOul'
emerge from the depths of their moral con
seriousness, there was no help for it) as t.
3 whose bread it was to be spread over.
We ventured to remind the Observer o
the sweet opinion expressed above; where
s upon it was at no loss to explain the Who'll
! shift under the pretense that there had beel
t great and gratifying change for the bette
1 among as But "the editor did not confess.
3 And there he stands to this day, sand make
no sign" 1t has been the fOrtune-per
D haps the misfortune-of "the Chairman" t
t see " the editor in close quarters at times
I these many years; sometimes sorely pushed
j and sometimes dreadfuly caught; but h
: never knew him to confess" Pity tina
+ one who knows, in theory, how "gOOd con
: fession is for the soul, should not bring
o into practice for once, if only for the nOvelt
e of the thing, and SNAKE clean breast 0
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