Mexico weekly ledger., 1888-10-25

Sdlu ne WOulQ tNduc Inc INV. IIdf-
ing heard of it, he entered the pull
pit, on Lords day, and began his
discourse by remaking:
"Last winter, when l was with
you, I sat down and talked to-day
| will stand up and preach"
He continued thus preaching.
every Lords day, until the follow
ing April, at which time the spring
term of the Circuit Court was held
in Mexico. Having made the ac-
quaintanee of the judge, and found
him to be a pleasant and very in
telligent gentleman, he said to him,
| one day:
"Judge, you have doubtless
heard that | have been preaching
here without taking the oath re-
CURED by the constitution of the
State"
81 have heard of it, Mr.. Smith,
and l think it a little strange, for I
understand that you have always
been a Union man, and a true loyal
one"
81 have always been SUCH" said
Smith "and, so far as the politics
of the oath are concerned, | can
take it with as clear a conscience as
any man in Missouri; but it invol-
yes other principles that conflict
with my conscience. X x
Were l to take this oath, I would
no longer preach by the authority
of Jesus Christ, but by that Of an
unbelleving legislature. 1t would
be rebellion against nay rightful
Sovereign, and, to save my life, l
could not do it."
The April term of the Court hav-
ing closed, he learned that the
grand jury had indicted him, and
he was advised to give the usual
bond and security for his appear
ance. Some even urged him to
anticipate the time set for his de-
parture to Kentucky, and to go at
once, and escape the annoyance of
arrest.
"No, friends" said he ; "I can
not go aboard a train of cars and
endure the ride, with a conscious
ness that l was fleeing as i'll had
been guilty of wrong. 1 will do
right, and fear nothing"
On the morning of the 10th of
May-the day set for his departure
HE babe his children adieu, and
started to the depot. While cross
ing the street, the sheriff, who had
put off the arrest till the last mo-
ment, accested him.
II have done So" said Smith,
"and l shall preach on without
taking it. I say this, not in the
spirit of resistance to law, but,
with the example ofthe first Christ
ians before me, I submit to law
and take the full penalty ;
I aoiU not take the oath. You will
have no trouble in conducting me
to Jail; but tell my friends to build
them an arbor lear my window, for
| will try to preach to them. You
can keep me, Mr.. Sheriff, in a
chicken-coop as well as in a Jail; I
never flee from civilized man.
The VandaliaRall
The Democratic rally at Wanda
liza Saturday was a glorious sue
cess. The attendance was very
large, many of the visitors being
from this city. The Mexico Clay
Flambeaux covered themselves
with glory at night. The large
gathering of spectators cheered
them to the echo as they made an
exhibition on the streets, under
She leadership of that prince Of
irillmasters, James G.. Trimble.
In the afternoon, George w.
Anderson, ofSt. Louis, a sterling
Democrat, delivered a telling
speech to the gathered populace.
His argument was strong, and
throughout the address he was
listened to with wrapt attention.
Mr.. Anderson is one of the ablest
men On the stump for Missouri
Democracy. In the evening Hon.
ID. A. Ball, of Louisiana, made a
splendid speech to a large gather
ing. The people of hustling VAN
idalia are to be congratulated on the
success of their demonstration. 1t
would have been creditable to a
town of FIVE times the population.
! Mrs. Mary Slaughter, of near
Worcester, exhibited at this Office
to-day a deed made to Francis
Slaughter by Lord Fairfax, of Vir-
ginia, in 1749, conveying an i'm
mense tract of land lying in North
ern Virginia. The deed is of
sheepskin and the long, old fash
Toned description of the land is
written in a beautiful, angular
hand, in an ink that seems will
never fade, as the letters are now
as bright as if inscribed yesterday.
Mrs. Slaughter says the land in
question has never passed out of
the hands of the Slaughter family.
and though tenanted by others
now, is still legally held under the
old deed.
!, Counting the $50 by Hardin and
s25 by Clay the Mexico Cleveland
and Francis Club has sent $500 to
, the National Committee.
The stock of groceries, formerly
owned by Theodore A. Garrett is
being sold at a sacrifice. Duncan
building.
R. M. White went to st. Louis
this afternoon on business con-
nected with the Democratic Central
COMMITTEE.