The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-03-10
Worth s,arOliua.
rxprrsros OF MR.. THoRNE PROM THx
' rpcIsrA ATTIRE.

1ur EXPULSION OF MN. ia'Nsh rS'o'e ''
LEGISLATURES.
A few days ago we published the account
Of the expulsion, OF j. Williams Tnorne
from the House Of Representatives OF Noitn
Carolina. Below we give bis own version
of the affair, given in letter 10 the WEST
chester PENN Republican:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
RALEIGH. y. G.. February %, 1919.
MOTOR Moore: For the last TOUR days the
House of Representatives has been cbangcd
into high ecclesiastical court 10 determine
whether. on account OF my religious optn.
ions. had right TO seat in The House."
After four sessions Of the most exciting
character. in which the ball of the House OF
Representatives was crowded with specta-
tors, they passed at midnight resolution OF
expulsion. The first charge made against
me was the denial of the existence OF
Almighty God. This charge they ut
terry failed to sustain. | proved By three
witnesses that not only never denied but
ALWAYS affirmed the existence Of God. But
rs they bad predetermined on my expulsion
theythanged the charge into one Of writing
and publishing blasphemous and immoral
pamphlet" Against this last charge l had
no opportunity whatever of defending my
self, as it was only pu. before the House
about half an hour before the vote of eXpul.
sion was taken. In few days will pub
lish full account of this great ecclesiastical
trial. I have only time to say just now
that I was defended by three or four of
the best and ablest Democrats in the
House. The speeches of Mr.. PinniX and
Mr. Meudenhall, members from Davidson
and Guilford counties, were especially earn
est and able. Mr.. Mcpdenball is q member
of the "Society of Friends" He is both a
learned and conscientiously Just man. Mr..
Strong and Mr.. Gate, both able Democratic
lawyers, voted against my expulsion. Their
defence of me, however, had little influence
on the great body of the Democratic mem
bers, who were predetermined to expel me.
Os.ensibly / was expelled on account of my
religious opinions, but really because was q
Radical Republican. All the Republicans
but one voted against my expulsion. You
will hear from me again soon.
j. WILLIAMS TuoRhE.
In connection with this subject, in an ar
ticle written before the above letter was re-.
ceiyed, the Repubicon said There is no
doubt but that this is Democratic eXpedI'
ent to get rid of DIR. Thorne, as he seems to
have become quite power in the district IN
which be lives. For number of years past
he has possessed mania for writing on re-
ligious subjects. He is quite familiar with
the teachings Of the Bible. and one OF his
pct subjects has been to show from it and
other authorities that the Sabbath
vas no more entitled to sacred
Observance than any other day or
the seven. We have reasoned with
him time ard time again that no public good
could result even if he proved beyond ques.
lion all that lie claimed was true. and for
that reason refused him the Use of our col
Inns TO discuss the question. While we
have no evidence that Mr. Thornc is an athc-
it. his foolish discussion Of the Sabbath and
other religious subjects has at last brought
serious trouble upon his head, although We
have no doubt that be is in all respects
great deal better man than a majority OF those
who have pronounced judgment against
him"