Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-08-10
sbepbsrostown Register.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 10, 1875.
TO THE PUBLIC.

We, the undersigned citizens of Shep-
herdstown and vicinity, and friendly
the Baptist Church of said
town, and the late pastor Of the same,
Rev. James Carey, and believing, as we
do, that the said pastor has been un-
justly dealt with, and falsely accused Of
certain misdemeanors, and anxious also
to do Justice to one that we consider
has been prosecuted, make the follow
ing statement of facts in his behalf:
He has been charged, as we learn,
with being seen frequently on the streets
or alleys of this town at late and un-
seasonable hours of the night, creating
the suspicion that his conduct savored
of the earth earthly; and secondly, tha,
he was in the habit of drinking spiritu-
Gus liquors to excess-particularly when
in Charlestown, drinking ir certain sa
looms there publicly, thereby bringing
disgrace not only upon himself, but OBJ
loquy and scandal Oh the church and its
members-ministerial as well as lay
and upon those charges, trumped up as
they were by certain political enemies
of the said Rev. Carey, and without
giving him an opportunity Gas we un-
derstand) to defend himself, he was de-
clared guilty and suspended from the
church and ministry. Now as TO the
first charge, that of being out late at
night, the facts are these: The colored
people of this town have several secret
organizations, to all Of which Bro. Ca
rey belongs, and is generally promi-
nent officer. The transaction of busi-
ness at those meetings frequently detain
US until late and further, the colored
people have organized an infantry COM
pany, of which the Rev. Carey has been
elected Captain. This company meets
TO drill at night their place of meeting
is at the colored schoolhouse, which is
located fronting on one alley and with
in few yards of another alley some
times it happens that many of the mem,
bers are late getting to the place OF
meeting-the Captain is always pune
tual-and from the causes above stated
the prosecutors of Bro. Carey have
manufactured this charge of being out
late at night, to which they appear to
attach so much importance. We hope
the explanation we have here given,
concerning the meeting of the various
orders, and drilling of the volunteer
company, and Bro. Carey's connection
with all of them, will fully prove to any
unpreindiced mind the falsity Of that
charge. There is an old adage that an
old rogue makes cute jailor; perhap'
the party bringing this charge of being
out late at night may indulge in noe
turna! meetings not quite so Legitimate
as we have shown those of Bro. Carey
10 be.
AS to the charge of drunkenness pre-
tcrred against him, we hereby certify
that he has always when with US be
haved himself as genteman-sober
gentle, discreet and humble as one fill
ing the position he filed should be, al
ways ready and willing to give aid, ad
vice or consolation to those needing it
AS to drinking in saloons in Charles
town, we have taken the pains to have
that matter investigated, and the gen
tiemen keeping those saloons, over theil
own signatures in their own handwrit
ing, contradict the whole charge so fan
as the saloons are concerned. Those
certificates are appended to this state,
ment 80 that the public may see and
read for themselves. Now when we
have proved the falsity of those charges.
as we think we have done, what author.
ity have we for believing anything else
they might urge against Bro. Carey
If false charges are to pass current there
will be no limit to the issuing of them.
We believe the whole thing to be a
wicked and malicious persecution, set
on foot to crush Bro Carey, because he
has been independent enough to think
and act for himself politically, and fear
less enough to express bis sentiments.
Had he been the dupe or willing tool OF
certain pretended friends of the colored
race-"wolves in Sleeps clothlng"-we
frlnly believe that no charges would
have been brought against him.
OSBURN MCCHAN,
SAML G. PETERSON,
JAS. L. BRUNSWICK,
JAMES PORTER,
ROBERT MACKEY,
DANIEL STRIPPING,
HENRY MCCHAN,
GEORGE MCCHAN,
CHAS. DOUGLAS,
GEORGE SMITH,
JOHN FLINT, SR.,
WILSON BUNKINS,
JOHN FLINT, JR.,
NAT. TOLIVER.