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TIMES & SENTINEL
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA.
SATURDAY EVENING, JUNE 26, 1858.
Mr. Crittenden and Mr. Douglas*
From our exchanges we learn that circulars are being
distributed through the Southern States urging the nomina
tion of the Hon. J. J. Crittenden for the Presidency. ®
course of this Kentuckian in the last Senate f a ° we
such a state of things. It was very evident that r - oug
las and himself were courting favor of the Republicans
with some ulterior object in view. Mr. as as is
covered that the Black Republicans felt themselves strong
enough without him and his efforts having proved futile to
break down the Administration on the Kansas question has
manifested a willingness to come back to his first love.—
We have no objection—it is with himself. Our confidence
however has been diminished in his exalted patriotism.—
Mr- Crittenden on the contrary does not stand as well as
Mr. Douglas, albeit ho has just been eulogised by many of
the American presses of this State. He voted with Mr.
Douglas and we cannot impugn the motives of the one
without the other. The American press would doubtless
be greatly exercised were we to welcome Mr. Douglas into
our ranks-our devotion to the South would be regarded as
subordinate to love of party, yet from present indications
our worthy cotemporaries would gladly support .Mr- Crit
tenden. We frankly confess that of the two, we would
prefer Mr. Douglas to Mr. Crittenden. The latter we believe
would presume upon the magnanimity of the South and
his relations to her institutions to treat indifferently her
Constitutional demands. His ambition would be to con
ciliate the South, even at a sacrifice of cherished princi
ples and her equality to preserve the Union and stay tem
porarily the growing spirit of fanaticism at the North.—-
We are willing to maintain the Union upon the basis of
of just and equitable principles* we can go no further. As
an evidence of the acceptibility of Mr. Crittenden s name
to many it is at the mast-head of seveial ol
their journals. A complimentary dinner was given him at
Cincinnati a few days since and the illustrious abolitionist
Mr. Thomas Corwin, is said to have favored his claims in
an eulogistic speech. Is not this a reproach? We have
before us the speech of Mr. Douglas delivered in the Sen
ate at the close of the present session and we find in it
more thrusts at the abolitionists than we will find in all.the
Kentuckian’s efforts. Wo throw out theso hints not to bol
ster up the tottering fortunes of Judge Douglas, because he
is a democrat, or disparage the claims ot Mr. Crittenden
to high position because he is an American. We have a
higher motive —we desire true men elevated. Men who
will not sacrifice the Constitutional demands ot either sec
tion of the Confederacy upon the altar ot their ambition or
party expediency. The South exacts nothing she desires
only to be let alone. This is the boon she asks at the
hands ot her frionds.
Virginia and the South.
The Richmond Enquirer intimated some time since
that in the event of a dissolution ot the Union, Virginia
would pause before determining to which division ot the
confederacy she would attach herself. We should feel
humbled to the dust were such the popular feeling in that
good old State! We have been taught to look upon the
Oid Dominion with reverence and affection—to hold dear
the memory of her departed statesmen, whose virtues are
inherited by their children—to regard her as the Keystone
of the arch of the Southern States. Are our affections
misplaced? Is not this old mother of Statesmen united to
the South by the bond of an endearing attachment as well
as an identity of interest? Would she so far forget her
ancient fame, her present proud position, as to contemplate
an.alliance with the North,.should the South call together
her “warriors around her council fires” to vindicate her
integrity and protect her institutions? We canuot believe
for a moment that Virginia would hesitate as to her
choice. We do not believe her attachment to the Union
any stronger than the promptings of a just loyalty would
admit, and her sympathies, love and interest would all be
with the South in the event of a dissolution. Should the
period ever come, there will no doubt be laggards in the
service, who, like thotories of the Revolution, would give
aid and comfort to tho enemy, but it is idle in the Enqui
ror to suppose that Virginia would pause before taking her
position. Her great heart vibrates in unison with every
throb of Southern feeling and she would shed the best
blood of her citizens upon the common altar of our rights.
Wo cannot permit her fair escutcheon to be tarnished by
such a foul aspersion as that the Enquirer would fasten
upon it. The North and South are .growing strong-be
coming of age—a different destiny awaits them—each re
tards the progress of the other, and a mutual interest may
force a peaceable separation. Then, we expect to see Vir
ginia alongside of* the Southern States —the same love
cherished for her, the same pride awakened at the men
tion of her name, as breathes now throughout the whole
South. Virginia will never forget her ancient fame—her
present renown, and the great love her sister Southern
States entertain for her.
Mayor Wayne.
We regret to learn from our Savannah Exchanges, that
Mayor Wayne of that City, is exceedingly ill and grave
doubts are entertained as to his recovery. At last ac~
counts he was represented as growing worse. ‘1 he coun
cil met and adjourned on account of his illdess.
Fourth of July in Athens.
We see from the Augusta Constitutionalists, that Mr.
Cook Lewis of this city will deliver an address before the
Societies at Athens on the 4th of July.
Rome Southernor.
The Proprietor of the above paper, published at Rome,
Georgia, ofiers’it for sale, as he has more business on hand
than he can well attend to, and desirous of turning his at
tention to the job department. He says the Southernor has
over 1,000 bona fide subscribers, and is doing an unusually
good business.
Mr. Grave’s Communication.— ln another colmn, we
give place 4 to a long Communication from .Rev. J. R.
Graves in defence of the charge of “Baptist Layman” pub
lished in this paper sometime since. We have another
communication from Mr. Clark (baptist layman,) going to
prove that Mr. Graves is an abolitionist,lbut as . there are
sofmany articles soming in from both parties, we imust let,
this family quarrel alone. Let this suffice.
E. C. Bullock Esq ,-We had the pleasure of meeting
to-day this gentleman. He is the able Editor of the Eufau
la Spirit of the South and the"worthy State Senator from
Barbour County. We recornend his journal’to our friends
and all true Southerners who, admire honesty of motiv e
and purity ot purpose in the discussion of political questions.
River News,
St. Louis, Tuesday, June 22.—Steamboats arrived on
Saturday, Falls City-departed, Aleck Scott. The river
here has fallen eighteen inches in the last forty-eight hours
and is still receding. All upper streams are still fal
ling.
Louisville, Tuesday, June 22.—The river is falling
rapidly with [six and a half feet over the rocks on tb e
falls.
Cincinnati, Tuesday, June 22.—The river is falling
ra Louis, Tuesday, June 22, P. xM.— The river has re
ceded six inches in twenty-four hours ending this afternoon
All upper streams continue falling.
The Nicaragua Transit Route.
Washington, June 24.—The Stat^f. isserts with an air
of authority that the government of tne United States will
send an armed force to Nicaragua, or make such a display
as will convince England and France that our way to our
Pacific possessions shall not be trifled with.
Gen. Joseph Lane of Oregon.
The name of this veteran soldier and statesman is fre
quently alluded to favorably in connection with the next
Presidential race. Our preference would be for Hunter,
Davis, Toombs or some Southern man of their stamp but
believing that a northern man will be forced upon the
South bylthe National Democracy, we do not know a sin- ■
gle Northern politician, judging from his antecedents, who j
is so sound as the distinguished gentleman whose name
heads this article. Indiana once cast her vote for him in
the Democratic Convention for the Presidency* It we are
to have a nominee from the North, we desire to see Gen.
Lane’s name prominent. We have great confidence in J
his soundness, firmness and practical statesmanship. Be- j
sides we believe he could make a capital race.
The Richmond Examiner thus alludes to him—
The reader must not mistake the Gen. James
H. Lane, of Kansas, for Gen. Joseph Lane of Ore
gon, a distinguished officer in the Mexican war,
and one of the most chivalric men living. A
stranger might mistake the one for the other inas
much as they both were officers in the Mexican
war from the State of Indiana. Gen. Joseph Lane
is a native of North Carolina, but had been a resi
dent of Indiana for several years previous to the
breaking out of the Mexican war: and had acquir
ed a reputation for courage, decision and high
toned conduct which secured his appointment as
Brigadier General of the Indiana Regiment, at the
hands of President Polk. The history of the war
fully attests the wisdom of the selection. Though
one of the Indiana Regiments gave way in the bat
tle of Buena Vista, yet Joseph Lane rather gained |
than lost in reputation by this event, for he exhib
ited extraordinary self possession and courage,
and ran the utmost personal risk in attempting to
rally them. And finally, upon seeing the hopeless
ness of getting them again in the line of battle on
that day, he fell into line with the Mississippians
and fought with them as a private till he could have
an opportunity of resuming his command over the
Indianians under more favorable circumstances
General Taylor, in his official report of the battle
of Buena Vista, paid a deserved compliment to
General Joseph Lane. Afterward, Gen. Joseph
Lane was on Stcott’s line, and there won the ap
pellation of “ Marion of the War.” It may be truly
said, tlTat but few men won in the Mexican cam
paigns a more honorable and more enduring rep
utation. .
After the Mexican war, General Joseph Lane 1
went out to Oregon in the character of Territorial
Governor. In that Territory he has “pitched his
tent” for life. He has been its delegate in Con- j
gress for some eight or more years, and will in all
probability, be one of its Senators in Congress in
less than twelve months. In politics he is an un
wavering Democrat of the right stamp —a friend
to the Union on the principles of the Constitution,
and a foe to fanaticism in every form. Such a
man is Gen. Joseph Lane.
Jail and Prisoner Burnt.
Mr. Editor —On Wednesday night, 23d inst. our Jail
and a runaway confined in it were entirely consumed- —
Tho citizens were alarmed by the negroe’s cries, which
were made about 11* o’clock at night. Ho had been ta- J
ken up and imprisoned only the day before. The jailor, I
with all the haste that he could possibly make, ran to the
jail which now appeared &to be fired on the ‘ inside, and
threw open the doors, when the which had now
completely enveloped the inside of the building burst out
in a large volume, entirely filling the entrance. The boy
had ceased to make any cry or noise before the .doors’were
opened,and probably had been suffcated by the smoke and j
flames before attention was attracted to the Jail. It is cer
tain that the Jail was fired from the inside by . prisoner, and
that the fire had made considerable progress before he
gave the alarm. He procured matches from the outside
or concealed them about his person. He doubtless fired
the building with the view of escaping in the noise and
confusion of the burning. He had when arrested fseveral
passes, one of them directed to the Conductor of the Cen
tral Railroad, authorizing him to pass him to Savannah.
The negro is named in the tpass Jones—and one of them
is dated June 22d, 1858, and signed “J. C. Willbum.”
The unfortunate creature has. certainly been tampered
with by some white man—perhaps the victim of some ne*
gro philanthropist?
The negro said his name was Barrel, was a bright mulat
to, said that he belonged to Col. John Darden, who lives
in the neighborhood of Columbus, Ga. Ho was about five
feel 7or 8 inches high, and weighed 160 or 170 lbs. and
was very likely, and bore unmistakable evidence ol kind
treatment by his overseer. His body, with the exception of
the bones, was entirely consumed.
Yours truly, JAMES J. RAY
Clerk Superior Court.
Kuoxville, Crawford Cos. June 24, 1858.
Bank Exploded.
Baltimore, June 19, —The American Bank>
which lately opened here under doubtful circum
stances, closed its doors this morning. It is sup
posed to have a considerable Western circulation.
Its funds have all been withdrawn from the Bank
of Commerce.
Minister to England.
Washington, June 24.—1 tis rumored here that Judge
James J. Roosevelt, of the Supreme Court of Now York,
has been appointed Misister to England.
Death of Gen. Coffee. —The Athens Banner says:—
This prominent Democrat, and most estimable man, died
at his residence in Rabun county, on the 30th ult., of dropsy
of the chesty in the 65th year of his age.
He was a native of South Carolina, but moved to Geor
gia soon after arriving at manhood, and for near thirty
years represented Rabun county, in one or the other
branch of the Legislature. He held the office of State Sen
ator from that county at the time of his death.
Army Movements. —A letter to the St. Louis
Republican lrom Fort Leavenworth, dated June
13th, says:
“The sixth column Utah forces left this morning
under command of Major Emory, first cavalry.—
The following troops compose this gallant column:
Major Paul’s company of the seventh infantry and
Captains Wood, Carr and Sturgis’ companies of
the first cavalry, a company of mounted recruits
under Lt. Berry, first dragoons, for the first dra
goons in Utah, and a company of infantry recruits
under Lieut. Brotherton, of the fifth infantry.—
On the staff’ are the following officers: Lieut.
Church, first cavalry, Adjutant; Lieut. Iverson,
2d dragoons Quartermaster; Capt. Turnley, Com
missary, and Dr. Smith, Medical Officer. The
whole presented a most imposing appearance as
they marched in review before Gen. Harney.
“Gen. Harney himself, accompanied by his staff,
leave to-morrow and travel express to Utah. The
following officers are on this staff; Captains Pleas
anton and Wheaton, Aids ; Major Buell, Adjutant
General; Col. Johnston, Inspector General; Col.
Crosman, Chief Quartermaster, and Capt. Han
cock, Assistant; Surgeon Wright, Medical Direc
tor.”
Supreme Court, —This body completed its la
bors and adjourned Tuesday afternoon. The
Judges, Clerk and Reporter having all left by the
night train, we have been unable to obtain a fur
ther report of their decisions.
The June Term of the Court will commence in
Macon on Monday, the 29th inst. The docket
stands as follows: Ist, Macon Circuit; 2d, South,
western 3d, Pataula; and 4th, Chattahoochee
Circuit. Each case will be called in order, and per
emptorily disposed of.
LETTER FROM J. R* GRAVES.
Nashville, June 8,1858.
Editor Times & Sentiryl:
Will you do me the justice to admit the rep.y
to a late article that appeared in your paper, manufactured
from the columns of the S. W. Baptist? It is a cruel and
utterly unfounded charge, the rehash ol an old exploded
report, based upon an expressed sentiment of opposition to
Amalgamation. lam a slaveholder, sir, but not an amal
gamationist, nor can I become one to fplease the Editors
of the S. W. Baptist. It is to me anew test ol loyalty to
the South they advocate !
Tueir object in this attack is so obvious, as not to need
comment. Ido not demand of you the name of the Lay
man. He is justly ashamed of the unprincipled act he has
committed against Christian morals.
Very respectfully yours,
J. R. GRAVES.
From the Tennessee Baptist.
The Last Charge of the S. W. Baptist. Ha s
He Proved it?
When preparing to reply to that most injurious
and unfounded charge of the S. W. Baptist, that
has now so long been pursuing up, our eye fell
upon that beautiful sermon of Balfern, (in the 28th
No. of the Tennessee Baptist,) entitled ‘-The si
lence OF JESUS; OR, HOW TO MEET FALSE ACCU
SATIONS.” This is the closing paragraph :
“He uttered not a icord.”— Can we forget this?
Yes we can. But let us not; and when the pois
oned fang of envy, anxious to wound, parades
each fault, and toils to mar our labors; when
prejudice, intent to spy defects, pores over each
act and word ; when slander makes a target of our
reputation, her darling aim to hold us up to scorn,
then let the silence of those lips which plead our
cause admonish us, and let - us srtive to imitate
Him, who, though falsely accused, uttered no aD
gry word; let us seek for grace to keep, subdue
and guide; so shall our deeds be our defence, and
form a shield malicious words shall never pierce;
while*in the ears of calumny, anxious for our ruin,
we shall be proclaimed disciples of Him, “who,
when he was reviled, reviled not again ; when He
suffered, He threatened not; but submitted Him
self to Him who judgeth righteously.”
Had it been written for our especial admonition
in this hour of the trial, it could not have been
more pointed or appropriate. We profess to be a
Christian, and we know that it is our desire to
| conform our life to the example of our blessed Sa-
viour, and to drink in his Spirit. This does not
forbid us to repel a slander or false accusation.
No one ever did it more severely than the Master.
But we confess that it was his prerogative alone
to say to those persistently misrepresenting him,
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of
your father ye will do.”
We shall answer but a “few words” when com
pared to the number employed in our accusation.
We are not conscious of the presence of an un
christian feeling towards Elder H. and his secret
coadjutors, and we trust that the review of his ar
ticle will not be able to excite one.
My associates in this, and friends in other pa
pers have so fully exposed the unsatisfactory cha
racter of the testimony brought forward to con
vict me, that but little remains for me to say.
Here is the charge of the editors of the South W
Baptist:
‘•Our allegation is, That J. R, GRAVES, the
editor of the Tennesse Baptist, animadverted se
verely on the Institution of Slavery in the presence
of an eminent Baptist Minister now deceased, and
that he left Kentucky because of his opposition to
Slavery” —S. W. Baptist.
Mark well the ioint of the charge “animadver
ted upon the institution of slavery,” not its evils.—
Do they bring forward the first'word of proof to
sustain this charge?
This charge of abolitionism now made by the ed
tors of the South Western Baptist, and echoed by
“a Baptist Layman” in the r Columbus Sentinel of
Ga., is not now presented for the first time against
us. It is merely a rehash of an old dish of slan
der. It was first insinuated by Elder C. in the
paper of which the South Western Baptist is the
continuator or successor, in the Spring of 1852.
It was then used by Chambliss as it now is by Hen
derson & Co.—for the purpose of destroying con
fidence in the man whom he had failed to meet
successfully upon the revision question. Cham
bliss used it for this end though he did not believe
it*. Nor do we suppose that Henderson & Cos. be
lieve it any more than he did.
To show that did not believe the
charge he made, we quote from a letter from him
to us, which we have before us without a date,but
post marked Marion, June 18. “During the In
dian Mission Association, the Rev. S. Dyer asked
me if I was aware that you had once had such
scruples of conscience on the slavery question that i
you had left Tennessee and wei.t to a different
State. This he said was a fact, and that it might
be employed by your opposers to effect if they
knew it. In a moment of excitement I seized up
on it, and though not an enemy or an opposer,
really, I threw out the equivocal hint. * * I
have not , and had not at the time , any more doubt
of your soundness on that question [the slavery
queztion] than I had of my own soundness .”
More than two years after this, when the contro
troversy which grew out of this insinuation had
passed, and with all the testimony in the case be
fore him, the same Elder, A. V/. Chambliss,wrote
a letter to Elder J. M. Pendleton, of Ky., in which
he uses the following words. “I have always held
Bro. Graves as a deeply pious man. * * I
HAVE NEVER BELIEVED HIS UNSOUND
NESS ON THE SLAVERY QUESTION, THO’
THE OPPOSITE CONVICTION WAS TRIED
TO BE FORCED UPON ME.”
But Chambliss referred to Elder S. Dyer as his
authority, and I will show now that elder S. Dy
er did not believe the charge which he thought
lessly suggested.
In a letter from Mr Dyer to us, dated Louis
ville, Ky. Aug. 10, 1852, referring to the charge in
sinuated as above referred to by Chambliss, he
says: “My statement was not that you left Ken
tucky for such a cause, but that it was reported
that you had left Kentucky because of conscien
tious scruples on the subject of slavery * °
Where the report orignated I know not. My of
fence then was that of repeating a flying report
which was calculated to injure a brother. I felt
that I had done wrong immediately atter the remark
was made, and resolved never to repeat the of
fense, which I have scrupulously observed. The
remark having been made in private I had suppo
sed that that would be the end of it, but it seems
that brother Chambliss did not so view it, and thus
felt authorized to allude to it in his paper.”
The charge thus insinuated by Chambliss in 1852
on authority of Dyer, who had it, .only as a “flying
report,” the “origin of which he did not know,”
was traced back by us to the late Elder John L.
Waller. On our return from the Baltimore Con
vention we called upon elder Waller in Louisville
and in the presence of two of the best known
ministers in Kentucky, asked Elder Waller if he
really had any foundation upon which such a ru
mor could justly have been based. The nature of
this interview will be best learned from the testimo
ny of Elder TANARUS, J. Fisher.
Carrolton, April 16, 1858.
Dear Brother Graves :—ln answer to yours of
the sth inst,, I cheerfully reply. In the Spring of
1853,1 went with you to the room of the late El
der John L. Waller, in Louisville, Ky., You stated
in my hearing, Elder S. H. Ford also being pres.
ent, thaU a report was in circulation # that you
wished silenced, and to do so you wished him
[Waller] to answer you- two questions categori
cally, or words to that import, viz :
Ist. Did you ever receive a letter from me sta
ting that I was about to leave the South, or per
haps had left the State, because I was opposed to
Southern slavery ?
Elder Waller answered—“NO.”
2. You remarked, you knew Bro. Waller, when
I lived in Kentucky, Ve were sometimes much
together, and traveled and preached much togeth
er, <f*c., Did you ever hear me utter a sentiment
of opposition to the institution of slavery, or hear of
my having done so ?
Eld. Waller answered emphatically —“NO.”
Given under my hand this 16th day of April,
1858. T.J. Fisher.
Elder Ford testifies to the same thing.
Now, if Elder Waller never in conversation
heard a sentiment adverse to slavery fall from our
lips, or saw such a sentiment from our pen, as he
distinctly said he never had, nor ever heard of any
one who had, then Elder Henderson’s allegation
(please read it’again) that we had animadverted
severely upon the institutions of slavery, is unsus
tained by even a shadow of testimony.
In accounting for the report which Mr. Cham
bliss had gotten hold of, he said that he, Waller,
might hare [repeated remarks we made to him
when riding together on a preaching excursion,
and it had doubtless grown into its present {size.
These were substantially our remarks as related
by Elder Waller, and distinctly remembered by us
when recalled—we avow them to be our real senti
ments to-day,
In driving out of Nicholasville, we passed a man
and bowed—he was very bright* We asked Elder
Waller it the man was a white man or a black.—
As said he'believed a black man; that in difficult
cases the eye discovered the negro.
After a tew moment’s silence, I remarked, with
strong emphasis, that I regarded such cases as the
most conclusive proofs and illustrations of total de
pravity, on the part of the white race, I could con
ceive of * * * * * Elder
Waller remarked that a long'residence at the South
would so familiarize me with such instances it
would soon fail to revolt me. I remarked that
should I live here a century I hoped that I should
not look upon it_ (amalgamation) w;th any more
favor.
This was the substance of the conversation as
related by Elder Waller, in the presence of those
brethren. I then asked Elder Waller, were not the
sentiments I expressed to you honorable to any
man’s head and heart? He answered, “Certainly.”
I remarked, that I was not ashamed of them ; and
so far as being hostile to the institution of slavery,
I would be willing topioclaim them in the hear
ing of every slaveholder from the line to the
Gulf.*
So much for the origin of this report, and this a
substantial statement of all my guilt, for which
the South-Western Baptist would have me ostra
cised.
But that Elder Waller did not regard me as an
abolitionist or dangerous to the South, is evident
from the following editorial that appeared in his
next issue:
“The distinguished editor of the Tennessee Bap
tist spent last Sabbath in our city. He has been
visiting the early and dear scenes of his childhood
in the north. We were glad to find him in excel
lent health and spirits. We never saw him look
ing so well. He spent several hours in our room
and we had much conversation on the great topics
of the day. The interview was very pleasant and
agreeable. We have known brother Graves long
and intimately, and a kinder but bolder heart
throbs not in the bosom of any man. He combines
the meekness of the lamb with boldness of the lion
He is yet young, but has done great good. May
he long live to bless the cause of truth by his la
bors.”
Now every word of testimony the editors bring
forward to sustain their allegations is contained in
the letter of J. L. Waller to J. TANARUS., letter from Elder
Waller to Dr. Phillips, of Miss,, a Tichenor of Ala
bama, and in an extract from these are produced
in the South-Western Baptist, and we produce
them here.
Ist Proof.— (Extract from Waller’s letter to Dr,
Phil(ips, dated July 25th, 1853:)
“Some eight or ten years ago, (said Waller,) just
before brother Graves left Kentucy, he drove me in
a buggy to meet some appointments I had to fill.—
He had just closed his school, was ont of employ
ment, had failed to get in as a teacher of the pre
paratory department at Georgetown. He spoke to
me freely and unreservedly of his future course.—
He said he could not conscientiously remain in a
slave State. * * * *
2nd Proof.— Waller’s led to Tichenor :
Louisville, Ky., Sept. 3, 1858.
Rev. I. T. Tichenos, Montgomery, Ala .—My
Dear Brother During the hot weather, I have
been almost all the time wandering to and fro in
the earth : and hence until now did not see yours
of the Ist ult.
The article ofGtave’, alluded to by you, does
not contain the whole truth. Fisher and Ford
will testify that I told Graves that in conversation
with me, he avowed his intention to leave Ken
tucky on account of slavery—that he mentioned
its many evils and severely animadverted upon
them—that I advised him to leave if such were his
feelings—and that he did leave. That he after
wards wrote me a letter expressing a wish to re
turn, and which I did not answer on account of
the conversation mentioned. He denied none of
these things, and ought to have mentioned them in
his article.
It was in conversation, and not in the letter, I
told you that he expressed his intention to leave
Kentucky on account of slavery.
Suffice it to say, you understood me correctly
except on the point of the letter—a small matter—
especially since Graves has admitted the conversa
tion, as I can prove by his own witnesses, Ford
and Fisher. 1 can readily conceive how you mis
took the matter about the letter.
It would give me great pleasure to attend your
State Convention, and perhaps I may. At all
events, if possible, I will be at your dedication
Write me specially when that will take place. I
should like it to be late in November, or in Decem
ber, if possible, as I am going to New York in
in October to attend the meeting of the Bible
Union.
My health is much improved. Excuse haste.
Yours, affectionately,
i John L. Waller.
[The italics in the above are Dr. Waller’s] -
J3§pTt will be seen that both the extract and
the letter refer to the one and the same conversa
tion said to have been had.
Does the extract sustain the allegation? All
*lf any one wishes to see my views upon slavery, read
chapter 1 of Little Iron Wheel.
All that can be wrested from it is, that I did ex
press feelings of aversion to amalgamation. But I
am charged with animadverting severely upon the
institution of slavery. Is amalgamation the insti
tution or a part of the institution of slavery ? Is
it even so much as one of the evils of slavery ?
No more than adultery or fornication is one of the
evils of the married state Were the negro pop
ulation free in our midst, amalgamation would pre
vail to a far greater extent.
What does the letter prove? Not that I “an
imadverted severely upon the institution of sla
veryas charged in the indictment, but it rather
explains the language of the extract, —stating as
it does, that we mentioned the many evils of sla
very, aad severely animadverted upon them.
But, granting that 1 did animadvert upon the
many evils, or abuses of slavery, can this justly be
construed into opposition to the institution? As
well might I be charged with opposition to a Re
publican Government like ours, should I animad
vert upon, and deplore the evils that attach to it—
or that I am opposed to matrimony should I men
tion an abuse of the relation ?
Even had we severely animadverted upon the
evils of slavery , can we justly therefore be con
demned as an abolitionist ?
Will the editors of the S. W. Baptist hold up
to public condemnation every man who admits or
deprecate the evils of slavery? Would not every
Christian man in the South be condemned and os
tracised by them ? Bee the language of Judge
Green, of this State now at the head of the largest
Law School in the South.
“I have not intended to defend the institution of
slavery. I have long considered it an evil, —an
evil (as Mr. Rives once admitted in the Senate)
morally, socially, and politically. Until within the
last twenty-five years, I never heard any well in
formed Southern gentleman give expression to any
contrary sentiment. About that time, Mr. Calhoun
first announced the opinion that the institution
was a desirable one. Now, many Southern men,
following Mr. Calhoun, —and pressed by aggres
sive attacks from the North, —bold the same opin
ion. But I never have sympathised with this sen.
timent.
I hold slavery to be an evil, —a greater evil to
the master than to the slave. But we find it
amongst us. It raises, in the circumstances which
surround it, questions of most difficult solution.—
These questions must be determined by those, and
those alone , who endure the evil. Others can
do nothing,towards putting an end to it, or towards
mitigating its character. Such interference is only
calculated to exasperate, and awaken opposition
to the views of officious intermedlers. If the North
would benefit the slave, it will be most effectual
ly accomplished by leaving us to manage this ques
tion.”
Will not these editors give him a warning ?
Thus we have shown out of the witnesses’own
mouth that his testimony does not sustain the al
legation of these editors.
We have now given this old rehashed report ten
times the notice it deserves, and never expect to
notice it again.
We now affirm that we never left the South as
a residence from the time we entered it, and there
fore couid not have left it on account of slavery.
We left Kentucky on a visit North to our mother,
and sister and brother, and, if it must be told, so
deeply enlisted another heart in our own interest
and the “Sunny South,” that she left all and made
its fair skies her own, and she now sleeps beneath
them with her babes.
In answer to all, Mr. Parker and Mr. Chambliss
reports, I re-submit the letter of Mr. C. to Elder
J. M. Pendleton. When Mr. C. wrote that letter
he knew all Mr. Parker’s tale, and all he now
knows, and he authorized Bro. P. to send the let
letter to us to be used when and where we saw
fit. , ,
Read it once more.
Lexington, Miss., Dec. 13th, 1854.
“Rev. J. M. Pendleton— My Dear Brother : —I
am just in receipt of your letter, and although I
have but half an hour from pressing engagements,
I haste to respond by return mail.
I know not on what authority any man, friend
or foe , has presumed to say that I cherish one un
kind, unfriendly, unbrotherly feeling in my heart
in relation to Bro. Graves, either as a gentleman,
a Christian, a minister of Christ, or an editor of the
“Tennessee Baptist.” Certain I am, that nothing
to that effect, directly, or indirectly, has ever
escaped my lips, since our interview at Canton, in
October last. On that occasion, whatever little
feeling had existed in my heart to his prejudice,
was completely 7 , and forever buried, and in good
faith.
In truth, I never did entertain one half of the
personal feeling against Brother Graves which was
generally supposed from the character of our
newspaper warfare. I regarded myself (though
unintentionally) the aggressor in the first instance,
and therefore looked with a forbearing eye on all
he did afterward, as I thought harshly; and in our
interview, I so expressed myself to him, full of re
grets. He had the Christian magnanimity to ex
press in like manner his regret at having written
so tartly, in his misapprehension of my views and
relations towards him; and upon this mutual con
fession, we mutually forgave, and extended to each
other the right hand of confidence and love—as
I said, in good faith. If, since that day, I have
ever spoken of him to any man not his friend, I
have done so unwittingly; but certainly J have
not done so to friend or foe disparagingly.
Before I left Alabama for this State, 1 entertain
ed doubts of the propriety of much of his edito
rial course, and so mentioned to him at Canton;
but since my location in Mississippi, I found a
state of things in the public mind which led me lo
view his course quite differently ; so that I am
forced to approve even this, to an extent which I
did not believe I ever could have done. I have
always held Brother Graves as a deeply pious man
—in this respect I have even gone further than
many of his friends; I have never believed his
unsoundness on the Slavery question—though the
opposite conviction was tried to be forced upon
me. He has always had my confidence as a mag
nanimous gentlemaD, willing to meet any issue
where his responsibility was involved; and I regard
him, now as ever, a bold and intrepid advocate
of truth and righteousness: and you will do me
the kindness to forward him this letter, to be at
his service, in any place where he may choose to
employ it.
With sentiments of sincere esteem, I am,
Dear Brother, yours in Christ,
A. W. Chambliss.
Elder H’s. arguments and appeals we let pass
for what they are worth. We have seen the im
pression it makes upon the people generally. It
discovers his own consciousness of an utter fail
ure.
J. R. Graves.
P. S.—Will all those editors who have copied
the article of Baptist Layman please to copy this
reply in justice to one of the press ? or as an ad
vertisement and send bill to Tennesse Baptist Of
fice Nashville.
Dispatches from Gen. Johnston. —lt is stated
that Lieut. Gen. Scott has received dispatches from
Gen. Johnston, of the Utah army, who arrives at
conclusions directly opposite to those of Governor
Gumming, touching the intention of the Mor
mons, who, he says are now arming and fortifying
at every point.
The Election to be Contested.— lt appears
from the New Orleans papers, that there is a proba
bility that the election of’Stith, as Mayor, will be
contested, and that Beauregard is the lawfully-elec
ted Mayor after all. We have no doubt in the
world that the latter fact is true; and we hope
the matter will he determined by an investigation.
P. T. Barnum sailed for Liverpool on Thursday
in the Kangaroo, whether he goes to complete ar
rangements for the exportation of the Lunily Ope
ra Troupe, for a grand campaign in the tall.