The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-05-19
MR. CLAY's LETTER AND TEXAS.

Mr. CLAY'S LETTER AND TEXAS.
MIeuer of Mr. Clay, to which we alluded yestar-
M h. we consider offering abundant confirmation to
lnlN we have said in relation to the dangers which
threatened the Union from the Annexation OF Texas,
M now omadly urged upon AS we stated in our
Yesterdays paper, there is no country earth where
M the religious sentiment has extensive sway rs in
Omown. In proof of this we the Methodist of
The North refusing longer fraternize with or ac-
knowledge tho Methodist Of the South, who hold
slaves or abet the institution of slavery. Slavery,
hen rends the Methodist Church asunder. This
4 ige and powerful body, which has, for a century,
vhood such violent shocks of its unity, is about to
N nmsyed in religious hostility (han which no other
smoe fierce and unyielding) with ITSELF the North
a nm against the Southern portion The Baptists,
other equally powerful ard extensive sect have taken
The same ground. Every religious Sc in tho Union,
" except the Episcopal, Gin which the conservative
PnciPle predomn'tes,) wi,ere long, be forced in
n Nhe same position.
Il l'avery then, has already the power to produce
NJ Gbfarfu result, which Mr. Clay SO strongly depre-
sain the instance Of the Metfolists, what madness
i@ms,,o increase four fold this element of disunion
~ nOngus The whole religious North is, on prnci-
pc wholly and rreconciIably opposed to the exten.
a sion Of slavery in the United States. The Annoxa-
X tion Of Texas will, if consummated extend our A.
v merican slavery at one swoop over 100000 square
N mlesa space equal to France and Great Britain IL
nIed. Tho whole country becomes accessory to the
ac and the religious public Of the North feels that
t@nliment and principles triled with ,contemn-
dOnd uampIcd upon The measure will have,
therefore,, the result Of violently embittering leading
and most influential portion of one great section of
h' Union against like portion Of the other. We
NJ are almost afraid 10 look at the consequences.
M but we are keeping our readers too long from Mr.
Gays letter, which commend TO their earnest at
knlOn, Its application to the matter of Texas we
consider too papabe to be farther dwelt upon
IA The letter was in to The following quere,
addressed, likewise, to Mr. Polk;
"Wii the division of the Methodist Episcopal
v church, into two separate organizations, (slavery be-
gMe cause oithe division, and the dividing line,)
IS Oelkely 10 affect the civil connection between the
'a'e and the non-slavehodng States2
nso, will il strengthen weaken the bonds of
their Unon?"
NJ Mr. Polk did not answer the letter, but Mr. Clay
Mirror
ASHLAND, April 7, 1915.
DEAR SIR: Our mutual friend Mr. Mitchell, Of
i0RIort, delivered to me- the day before yesterday,
N your letter, with several publications under your
a"e IN regard to the unfortunate controversy which
rus arisen IN the Methodist Episcopal Church Of the
SnUe1 States, all of which have atentively perused
'Ou oeslre an expression Of my opinion certain
inquiries communicated in your letter.
"a nave long entertained for that church, sentiments
GPOIound esteem aud regard, and have the hap
mo- M man ,IprS nT n
A O"'rends have in the world. ! will add, with
s el' unth that have witnessed, with much salts
aO'Oh' the tourishing condition of the church, and
N Wv s"ou sense and wisdom which have generally
%ac'er'zed the administration Of its affairs, as far
%thave observed it.
twas, therefore, with the deepest regret that
O u Inc course of the past year, Of the danger of
o 'soh OF the church, in consequence ofthe differ
tG VI opinion existing on the delicate and unhappy
w. %sH oil slavery. division for such cause,
"vuu DO an event greatly 10 be deplored, both
NOuh oil the church itself, and its political tenden-
N.Y. indeed, scarcely any public occurrence has hap
rsn or long tme,tha gave me so much real con-
"a r " a"u pain, as the menaced separation of the
id" n ny line, throwing all the free States
NJ IAN ana all the slave States the other.
h m' NOT say that such separation would necessa-
N n! pOauce dissolution Of the political Union of
~se States; but the example would be fraught with
en" "en' danger, and, in cooperation with other
U,biI, unfortunately existing, its tendency on the
,' rniy Of the confederaoy would he perious and
nl entertaining these views, it would afford me the
r S's qualification 10 hear of adjustment of the
nnlioVersy, reconciliation between tho opposing
''' IN the church, and the preservation ofits uni
vh ma myself to the political aspect the subject,
orc"O'e expressing any opinion either of the plans
NJ mboS% ponise and settlement which have been pub
"npOper imputa,ions ~ '''''''N'
"Rh 'ervcns hopes and wishes tina, some arrange