Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-01-16

LETTER FROM THE REV. Dr. PIuMeR ON THE UNI
oN.-The Corresponding section Of the Union Safety
Committee of New York, addressed communication
to the Rev. DR.. Plumer, of Baltimore with view TO
elicit his sentiments the moral aspect of some of
the questions now before the country He replied in
most acceptable letter, under date OF January g.,
He reviews at length, and in the spirit of true Christian
the various questions which now made, in some
quarters the subject OF excitement that threatens the
Union, and then concludes:
Some may say this is a long paragraph but all will
say it is not too long. that word of it could be
spared without diminishing the pleasure of the true
patriot, OF the man OF sense, and OF the OF TASTE
IN very important sense the peace OF the country.
and the perpeuty OF our Union, now rest with The
North and Northwest. Will the people there prove
themselves eqaal to the OCCASION and faithful to The
national compact! predict that they will. The
heart OF tho vast majority of the nation ia sound,
and time will show it. Individuals may remain out
OF the line OF their duty, some considerable commune
ties may contain a majority OF non-aw abiding men,
bers; legislature here and there may forget its DUTY
and attempt to set aside the Constitution and law az
that OF Vermont has recently DONE bat the vast maior-
ty OF the people and OF the State will soon as could
be expected in times OF high excitement do their whole
duty; and those who may make war on the laws will
not be counenanced, and the State will soon repeal
their unconstitutional ensctments, and that the whole
nation, with as much harmony as is to be expected
among alllble men, will fulfil her mission 10 the
world.
have, indeed noticed with concern some attempts
TO bring eccles zeal influence to bear against the
laws. An effort of this kind was recently made in the
Synod OF Ptsbu:g. The first of it that reached
the East was full ofmistake. knew that this as so
although did not then have the means of correcting
the statement. There is not conservative body
OF men, any country than the great mass Of the stand
ing members OF that Synod. When Drs. Rolston, Her
ron, Brown McConoughy. Elliott, Magill and Fair
child, the Messrs. Hughes, and Johnston and Young
and scores ofothers who have long been tried men.
shall turn out demagogues and rebels and denounce,
as some wished them to do law of their country me-
cessary to the ends OF the Constitution then inceed we
may cease to contide in good men, however long and
sew erey tried The subject was it is true introduced
into the body: The Presbyterian Church is a free
community and maintains in fact all the rights ofiree
action, and the llumbles member of of her courts
may bring matter 10 the notice of his BRETHREN But
that does not commit them to it, especially where as in
this case the matter is thrown out by large VOTE is
unrgh,eous and gatuitousy cruel to charge radcasm
upon the whole body
Inow learn from the Presbyterian Advocate of De-
cemoer iSoo, that 1T became very evident. ia the
the Synod had not read the document with sufficiently
close scrutiny and critical care to pronounce nte
gent verdict upon if a considerable number. indeed.
had not read it at all. Hence reinstatement made be-
fore the Synod as to the sum and substance os requ-
sitions, were fatty contradictory, nor was there a
copy III the hands OF any members to decide di pued
these circumstances adds the editor to proceed to c.
nounce the law, &c. trust this is the last time that
any church court will be annoyed with such quest on;
but ii any Of them snail be, donb not but that thew
Will acqult themselves as crejaby the Synod OF
Psburg acquitted itself The Church should act as an
example 70 the world, of submission to law; and all
men should remember that the worst regular govern
ment now upon earth is better than anarchy
II - still our happiness to live under happy united
and strong government strong enough to intlmdate
the Toes OF our peace strong enough protect us all in
the enjoyment ofour inestirnable rights 1t has indeed
very limited powers given it by the constitution far
less powers than any other government earth pos
sssses. Even the British Parliament often said TO be
omnipotent Not so with our Congress- our Judiciary
or our President Yet trial OF more than sixty years
has shown that the powers granted are sufficient for
all the good ends of federal system Nor is this all
mass OF our immense territory and knew that i bus-
ness fortune health, shall his lot or that OF his
children. in any part of it, there they will find equal
laws, and meet the faces OF triends and brethren.
wherever they 60. Long line the Union.
l am, gentlemen, with great respect, your fellow
citizen OF the United States, VIM S. PLUMRR