The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-03-13

from The North Carolina LegiS-
lHtuFe.
A Jews days ago We published the ac-
count Of the expulsion OF ], Williams
Thorne from the House OF represents
tives OF North Carolina, Below we give
his own version of the affair, given in u
letter to the Westchester penn RepI&li-
can:
House OF REPRESENTATIVE, |
RALEIGH, y, c., FEBRUARY %, 1875
Major MSsre+For the last four days the
House ofHRepresentatives has been
changed into an ecclesiastical c0urtto de-
tcrmine whether, on account OF my relig-
ious opinions, had u right to y seat in
tho blouse" Alter four sessions Of the
most exciting character in which the hall
OF the House Of Representatives was
crowded with spectators, they passed at
midnight resolution Of expulsion, The
first charge made against me was the de-
NAL Of the existence of Almighty God.
This charge they utterly failed to sustain.
| proved by three witnesses that | not
only never denied but always affirmed
the existance Of . God. But as they had
predetermined on my expulsion they
changed the charge into one OF writing
and publishing u blasphemous and immo
al pamphlet" Against this last charge |
had no opportunity whatever OF defend
ing myself, rs it was only put before the
House about half an hour before tho vote
OF expulsion was taken, In few days |
will publish u iull account Of this great
ccclcsiastical trial. | have only time to
SAY Just now that WAS defended by three
or four Of the best and ablcst Democrats
in the House, Tho speeches Of Mr.. Pin
nix and Mr.. Mendenhall, members from
Davidson and Guilford counties, were
especially earnest and able. Mr., Men-
dcnhall is member OF the Society Of
Friends" lie il both 4 learned aud con-
sciGntiOusly just man. Mr.. Strong and
Mr.. Gate, both able Democratic lawyers,
voted against my expulsion, Their de-
fence OF mr, however, had little influence
on the great body Of the Democratic mem
bcr,s who were predetermined to expGl
me, Ostcnsibly was expelled on nc
count Of my religious opinions, but really
because ! was u Radical Republican. All
tho Republicans but one voted against my
expulsion. You will hear from me again
soon. j. WILLIAMS THoRSE,
In connection with this subject, in mn
article written before the above letter
was received, tho Republican said "rhCrc
Is no doubt but that this is u Democratic
cxpedcnt to get rid of Mr.. Thorne, as hc
seems to have become quito power in
tho district in which he lives. For u
number OF ycars pAst he has possessed u
mania for writing on religious subjects.
lie Is quite familiar with tho teachings Of
tho Bible, and one OF his pot subjects has
been to show from it and other authors
ties that the Sabbath was no more entitled
to sacred observance than any other day
Of the seven, We have reasoned with
him time and again that no public good
could result oven il he proved beyond
question all that he claimed was true, and
for that reason refused him tho use Of our
columns to discuss the question. While
We have no evidence that Mr.. ThornG Is
an atheist, his foolish discussion Of the
Sabbath and other religious subjects has
ut last brought serious trouble upon his
head, although We have no doubt that he
i. in all respects great deal better man
than u majority Of those who have pro-
nounccd judgment against him."