Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-03-14
FRIDAY, MARCH IA, 1870
n PKIEarLY RETAILER OF DYING
CONFESSIONS.

Methodist especially the following editorial
from the Knoxville Tribune, every word OF
'''-'-Ttfty IN or'eS'
IL, tor the most part, concerns brother OF
the church, who, with as little computations
of conscience as the Methodist has against
taking pay for truss and weak back adver-
tlsements, surrendered to the smelling COM
mittee of the Tennessee legislature the con-
fession given to him, in the hour Of death,
by q penitent and cOntrite member OF the
church The Methodist will find this article
good for reproof, for vaingloriousness, and
for the charity that vaunteth itself, and for
the hypocrisy which Is so much INDUCED IN
10 the great detriment and deflement of
the church, and the injury of true religion
and sometimes virtue. We commend this
article to our unworldly contemporary Of the
trusses and the weak back. 1t is good and,
at this time, wholesome reading:
Instead Of entering into anything resembling a
III gnifed and legitimate investigation OF the state
debt the only sort OF investigation In which the
people of Tennes see could have had any real con-
csn-the majority OF the recent investigating com
mittee seem 10 have so studiOusly and closely de-
voted themselves to the search after asSaiable per
fensible that to one who has carefully read the
mass OF tainted literature with which, in the shape
public have been for several days past served
through the columns OF the State press the cOnclu-
sion irresistible that The so-called nvesttga-
tion" was but low device to further debauch the
public morals In aid OF the general purpose OF repu-
diation. To accomplish this neither the good name
and political history Of our commonwealth, nor the
private regulations OF her best citizens, have been
held sacred against he demand for defamation.
Charges Of the most calnmniOus character, without
a syllable of legal testimony to support them, have
sent 6 broadcast Throughout the country 10
do their miSchiev0uS Work against the
characters OF individuals who have not only not
been permitted to disprove or reout the calumnies
but kept in absolute ignorance of such testimony
until they read IL in the public prints. Much of this
so called evidence is but the garbage Of ten
twelve years ago, and has no relation whatever to
smiTch the regulations OF both the living ana the
dead. and this fact seems to have been enough to
investigators" The choicest specimen of sitting
testimony with which the majority undertake to sus
extraordinary report comes in the shape of depO-
siton from one n. W. Acknowledgement n. W.
MotheTal-"taken at Cleveland, Tennessee, on the
tenth day OF February, 1879 1t appears In the
Tribune, OF last Saturday. We called attention TO
his mine OF the horrible impression the loathsome
document made upon It, This man MotheTal de-
clares that he Is "a minister of the gospel, of the
Cumberland Presbyterian church, that Mr.. Thomas
II. Galloway, formerly president OF the East Ten
under his ministry" after which it seems thai he
(Mothera became his Galloway spiritual adviser.
He was beside his dying bed and, in the sacred
ndence OF such holy relation, heard Mr. Calloway's
confession as penitent sinner. He caught from
whisperngs OF a troubled soul that was done with
earth, and seeking thToush his prayers and minis
teriai counsels TO make eace with the Judge 81 the
Chrlst's atonement. No Doubt the sinking Galloway,
yet lingering between mortal and immortal exist
ence, was piled with the Injunction TO
make confession OF his sins" by this list
ening priest who sat with mind Intent, treas
uring up for future the broken utterances that
fell upon his eager Nine years ago, or nearly
so, Thomas a Galloway died and was laid away to
rest. BE left among the people who knew him
knew his private walks and public Ways-an honor
ulDlusltngV
tells that he enjoyed his confidence as spiritual
counselor. comes b-fore the world with a ''reveia-
tIon." which, II true and credited could but have
the effect Of beclouding the memory OF Thomas Il.
Galloway, and casting a stigma upon his name for
generations to come. voluntary breach of per
sonal confidence, as between man and man, is dis
reputable AMONG gentlemen. The physician who
secrets professionally confided 10 him, would be
driven from an enlightened community with indig-
nant seorn. The lawyer who would wantonly reveal
the confidential communications OF client, would be
debaTred aud stamped as unfit TO assoc ate with gen
temen. The husband who would beiray the conf
dence of his wife 10 her detriment would be spuTned
from decent presence and be accounted no bet
ter than dog deserving an honest kick from every
passer-by. But for the mockery Of a man-whO, I'M
der the sanetmOnious guse of minister of the COS
pei OF Jesus Christ Is admitted to the sacred conf
dence OF a sin-sick and dying man. and In that ca
pacy receives from him Confession uttered ss the
last possible Offering in behalf of his Immortal
soul, and then not only retails such confession
material for common scandal but prostitutes IL to the
OF dirty politicians, there is earthly punish
ment sufficiently severe or degrading. The very
nCesence of such a creature among an enlightened
ality and decercy. TKs deserves 10 ba TforjsJ -
the eNecTaton OF mankind. ne should he made
"a fixed figure for the time of scorn
To point ITS slow, unmOying finger at"
Such a creature does this man MOtheral proclaim
himself through his deposition, to be. No doubt
Ia the fervor OF his piOus zeal, he has often thun
dered his depunciations against the auricular con-
De- found on the face OF the globe CaSsoiie nTiast
who, having shriyed dying man, would dare pro-
fame the sanctity of his holy office this East Ten
nesSee priest MOtheral, has done. II is said that
IN his Impotence TO unbOsOm himself, he wrote or
sent word to Governor Marks that he had very i'm
disclose. Whether this be true, We do not
know. For Governor Markss sake, we sincere
~ hope Is not But for the majority Of
the committee, who seem to have sought
with eagefness after this dish Of disgusting lthI-
ness and TO have served Il up with aacrity for
the delectation OF the public, we cannot what
suHclent Justncatlon or apology can be offered IL
cannot be expected that any man OF proper feeling
and common intelligence viii give any credit TO the
deposition OF man who shows, by the very nature
OF bis own testimony, that he deserves to De
damned to everlasting fame Besides, were eVeTF
word OF his deposition true, Il has about as much
relation to the State debt TO the Chinese immigta
tion problem.
This weak-backed brother, who needs |
truss for his conscience, who is thus marked |
by the Tribune as indeibly disgraced, and |
forever, should be pilloried in every paper in |
the State. Life should be made burden to |
him, and he should not be permitted to ply |
calling whose most sacred obligation he |
and willingly violated.