The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-12
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
The Pastors Reply Again 10 Abuse.
To the Editor Of The Appeal:
Sir. In an editorial OF SnndnY's Men

Repty w hp"HNs
To the Editor Of The Appeal:
Sir In an editorial OF Sundays Men,
phis Ardlanche, we find the following
'Some of the clergymen Of Memphis are en-
gagged In systematic persistent effort 10 revenge
themselves upon the ~ dHchf for the punishment
II has been Obliged 10 administer, In the Interest
OF common dcconcy, TO three Of the members OF
close corpomtion known rs the Pastors hssoca-
ton. with the details OF the case 70 which We
refer, the public IL already familiar. IL was not
one ol church vs. stare, but OF man vs. woman,
purblind bgots against defenseless widowhood"
The "clergymen Of Memphis" referred
to are the members OF tho Protestant Pas
tors Association. They are charged with
making systematic, persistent effort TO
revenge themselves" They are capable
OF making their own defense, should they
deem any necessary.
The three ministers alluded TO are the
undersigned.
Quietly attending to their own duties,
they were approached by a representative
OF an afternoon paper, and requested TO
give opinion respecting matters Of public
interest. They did so, two Of them unit
eddy, and one Of them individually. All
Of them agreed in cOndemning the ways
Of public character known rs Emma ABB
bolt, ccnsuring her published use OF the
names aud letters OF gospel ministers, aud
her intrusions, and reports OF intrusions,
upon wOIshipping assemblies, the services
OF one OF which she had been known TO
interrupt with angry and violent declama-
ton.
This expression concerning things noto-
riously public, given under solicitation OF
the press, the Ar1ianchc Immediately pro.
nounced insulting TO universal womanhOodl
Dirtorting facts, 1t imprudently thrust into
/ prominence the discussion OF private life,
| and, not privately, as is the custom Of
gentlemen, but publicly, through its own
columns, ii demanded an 'abject apo
logy."
The ministers, making allowance for the
editors undue excitement, gave him am
pie time to recover his cou posure and re-
sumo his editorial dignity.
The next morning, however, his violent
abuse was continued. lie so far forgot
himself ~ 10 accuse these ministers, IN
scrplural language, Of "devouring widows
homes" 'ior prcionse making long
prayer" and TO denouncc against theul
that they should receive the greater
damnaliOn."
ON the next day. the ministers thus in.
suited, abused aud literally cursed, pub
lished in TuE APPEAL a complete ard un
auswCTable statement II the whole Gus,
lscc MEMPHIS ArrEiL Of January PSI
knowing well that 1t was inpregnablc anc
that the only rejoinder must be- continue,
abuse And in this they have not been
disappointed.
Meanwhile the editor. having assumed
u false position from the outset, has clunl
! tennciously 10 the dclusiOn that he wa,
called TO administer punishment in the
I interest OF common dccency," in an imag.
mary case OF imam W. woman, purbind
bigois against deicnsclcss widowhood."
However, the three ministers have ut.
tered nothing since the Goth of January
sixteen days. All other papers in the
city have resumed. each, the even tenor OF
iis way. The dr1imchc still industriously
strives 10 uphold It's mistake 10y quotations
from secular papers, forgetting that the
ministers could easily produce quotations
from their religions press. And now.
having himself fallen into the error OF
nnagonizing Chistian sentiment. the editor
complains that other Christian ministers
and Christian people are falling away from
him. Nithoui the least feeling. We assure
him that all this II but the inevitable con.
sequence OF his own original mistake, and
Of tie furious frenzy with which he has
attempted TO administer punishment to
men whom the public will hardly believe
10 be- yiolaiors Of common deccncy," a.
be 70 Unexpectedly afiirms We wish The
ImlaUcls no harm.
This Ne have concluded 10 say in dis.
passionate response TO it, valcdictory Of
Sunday morning.
T.. DANiEL,
X. A. NENAuLr,
WsuNru M,.Yt