Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1845-05-08
REr. Clay and the Union.


A large Convention of The preachers Of The
Methodist Episcopal Church, from the slave-
holding states of the Union, are in session at
Louisville, KY, for The avowed purpose of ef-
feeling division of the government Of the
churches of the Soulh and Southwest, from
those of the North and Northeast In view OF
this Convention, letters have been addressed 10
Mr.. Polk and Mr.. Clay, putting the following
queries -
Will the division of The Methodist Episco-
pal Church, into TWO separate organizations,
slavery being the cause of the division, and
The dividing line) be likely to affect the civil
connection between the slave and The non-slave-
holding states!
=" If so, will i, strengthen or weaken The bonds
Of their union Z"
Mr.. Polk did not answer The letter but Mr.
Clay has, in the following characteristic man
ner:-
"AsHLAND, April 7, lS45.
"Dear Sir Our mutual friend Mr. Mitchell
Of Frankfort, delivered to me the day before
yesterday your letter, with several publications
under your name, in regard to the unfortunate
controversy which has arisen in the Methodist
Episcopal Church of the United States, all of
which have aueniively perused You desire
an expression of my opinion on certain lnqul-
ries communicated in your letter
have long enierlerlained for lha, church
sentiments of profound esteem and regard, and
have the happiness Of numbering among its
members some of the best friends have in
the world will add, with grea, truth, that
have witnessed with much satisfaction, the
nourishing condition the church, and The good
sense and wisdom which have generally char
aclerlsed the administration of its affairs, as far
as have observed it.
"It was therefore with The deepest regret
that heard, IN the course Of the last year, of
the danger Of division of the church, in con-
sequence of difference of opinion existing on
the delicate and unhappy subjec, of slavery. A
division, for such cause, woa!d be an event
greatly TO be deplored, both on account of The
church itself and lis political tendency In.
deed, scarcely any public occurrence has hap
pened for long lime, that gave me so much
real concern and pain as the menaced separa-
tion Of The church, by line, throwing all the
free States on one side, and all the slave States
on the other.
' will not say 'ha, such separation would
necessarily produce dissolution of The poliii-
cal Union Of these States; bul The example
would be franght with imminent danger, and, in
cooperation with other causes unfortunately
existing, It's tendency the stability of the
confederacy would be perilous and alarming.
Entertaining these views, it would afford
me the highest satisfaction to hear of an ad-
jnstmenl of the controversy, reconciliation be-
tween the opposing parties in the church, and
The preservation OF lis unity
/" | limit myself 10 the political aspec, Of the
subject, without expressing any opinion on ell
her OF the plans OF compromise and settlement
which have been published, which could not
DO without exposing myself TO improper impu-
allons.
" With ferveni hopes and wishes that some
of the difficulty may be devised
and agreed upon, which shall preserve the
church in union and harmony,
am, respectfully, your obed!eni servant,
H. CLAY"