History of the Johnstones, 1191-1909, with ... - Electric Scotland

250
LETTERS FROM DR PARR
A collection of newspaper extracts of the day show that the press, without
exception, supported the rioters, some of its organs pointing out that Dr
Priestley's opinions, not being Anglican or Christian, were illegal, as the law
protected the Church, and he had therefore put himself outside the law.
Edward's answer seems to have been more indignant with the promoters
of the riot than Parr quite approved, for he wrote again :
" Dear Sir,—You are a philosopher with the spirit of a religionist. Let me
entreat you to use your influence to obtain the mildest measures possible in
punishing the rioters, who were misled and inflamed we know by whom and by
what means. A declaration to this purpose will do immortal honour to the
sufferers, and direct the scorn of all good men from the rabble to the proper
objects. Anticipate the mercy of the crown by your own . . . this will be
wisdom and virtue. I entreat you, dear Sir, to use healing and moderate
persuasions for the peace of the country . . . above all praise were the
friendly exertions of my parishioners in quelling the reports which held me out
as a Presbyterian."
To his brother John, who was at Oxford, Edward wrote (the letter is
endorsed by John, "when I was trying for Merton," 1791) :
" Dear John,—The agitation of mind which our late terrible riots occasioned
has made me unfit for anything; you will have seen full accounts of these in the
papers, and I shall only add that Government seems inclined to take the
matter up with spirit, and that there is little doubt of the business being
investigated fully and the secret encouragers 1 being detected and punished.
But say nothing, when I see you I will tell you more. However I have
not been inattentive to your interests. [He mentions the votes he has
secured.] Notwithstanding all these promises success is very uncertain, and
if we are prepared for the worst the pleasure of attaining the object will
be the greater. It is a satisfaction to have done everything we could. Let me
see you on your return, and do not fail to write if chosen. Your paper deserved
a better fate, but the sentiments it contains are too open, too refined, for the age
and country in which we live. At present Truth is the greatest libel that can
be spoken, and the avowal of those undoubted rights of mankind, placed in
such a striking point of view by Locke, and will render his name immortal,
is a crime of the deepest dye for which our houses are to be burnt and ourselves
chased from Society, whilst the principles which have actually caused two
Rebellions against the King and Constitution are cherished and those who
profess them rewarded, Yours affectionately, E. Johnstone."
A year later Edward Johnstone became a member of the Liberal Club
in London, and subscribed ;£ioo to Mr Fox, who was in pecuniary difficulties.
The Dissenters were so convinced that the riots had been got up by
Government to show the danger of democracy, and by those interested in
bringing about a war with France, that they began to organise a second dinner
1 Among these was supposed to be Lord Aylesford, who lived at Packwood.