Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-01-22
LETTER FROM THE REV. DIR. PLUMER ON THE
UNION.

The Corresponding Section of the Union Safety Com
mitlee of New York, addressed communication 10 The
Rev. DIR. Pumer of Baltimore, with new 10 elicit hi
senmen,son the moral aspect Of some o questions now
before The country. lie epedi must acceptable ette
under date of January g. He reviews at length, and in
the spirit of Christian, the various questions which
are now made in quarters the subject OF excemens
that now threaten the Union, and then concudes-Balt
Patriot.
Some may say this is long paragraph, but all will say
ii long, that word of cond be spared with
out diminishing the pleasure Of the true patriot OF The
of sense and Of the man Of tasle
In a very important sense the peace Of the country, and
the perreuty ofour Union rest with the orlh and
Norihwsst. Will the people there prove themselves ECU
to the sion, anG faithful 10 the national compact
predic, that they will. The heart Of The vast majority D
The nation is SOUND and time will shuw it, Individual:
NAV remain out of the line of their duty cosldera
ble communities may contain majority Ut non waoo Ing
MEMBERS Legislature here and there may torgetits dny
and at.empto aside tho Constitution and law as ina
of Vermont has recently done but the vast majority o me
neone and of the states will las sum as could be expected r
times thigh excitement do their whole duiy and those
who NAV make war on the laws will not be counlenanced
and the States will repeal their unconstitutional en-
actmen,s and the whole nation, with as much harmony
as is to be expected among iable men, will fulfill hef
mission to the world
have. indeed, noticed with concern attempts 10
bring ecclesiastical influence to bear against The laws An
et fthis kind was recently made in the Synod OF PS
burqb he first rumur of that reached The East was
full of mistake knew that this was 50, although did
not then have The means Of corectngihe statement mere
is not more conservative body Of men, IN the country Imam
tho great mass of the standing members of that Synod
When Drs Roland, Herron Brown, McCon"ughy, Eil"''
Mcll and Farchild the Messrs Hughes, and johnston,
and Young and Of others who have long oeen eu
men, shall turn out demagogues and rebels, and Gaouce
as some wish them do law OF their country necessary
to the ends Of the Constitution then indeed we may ceas
b,,u nnUa nd j.
The subject was it is rae introduced into the body The
Presbyterian Church is free community. and maintains
intact all the rights Of free action, and the hunbles mem
her of one Of her courts may bring matter to The notice o
his brethren. But that does not commit them to H. and
especially where in this case, the matter thrown Out
by large VOTE it is unrgheous and gratuiiousy crue to
charge radcalism upon the Whole body.
now learn from the Presbyterian Advocate OF Dec a.,
1850 that ait became very evident in the course OF he
discussion that most of the members OF The SYNOD mad not
read the document with sufficiently close scrutiny and crit
ica care TO pronounce intelligent verdict upon II.
considerable number indeed had read it al ALL Hence
the statement made before the Synud to the sum and
substance of its acquisitions. were fatty contradictory, nor
was there copy the hands ofany member TO decide dis
pu,ed questions.-How improper would have oeen' un
der these circumstances adds the editor, ITO proceed to
denounce the law" &c. trust this is the last time that
any church court will be annoyed with such question
but if any of them sinai! be- doubt moi but that they VIII
acout themselves as credtaby as the Synod OF ihoours
acquitted ITSELF The Church should Sei an example t. the
world. ossubmisson to law and all men should remem-
ber that the worst regular government now upon eaf is
better than anarchy. -,
is still our happiness to live under nappy lhl'fa ana
strong government strong enough to nlmdae inc oes OF
our peace, strong enough protect US all in the enjoy
meni of our nesiimabe rights 1t has indeed very limited
powers given it by the Constitution far less pnweTs than
any other government earth possesses Even the British
Parliament is often said be omnpoen Not 50 with our
Congress- Judiciary or our President. lel lai OF
sre sufficient for all the good ends Of fpderave system
Mar is this ALL Now every man in the land can cast his
eve over the mass of our immense territory and know that
if business, fortune or health shall cast his "t or that Of
his children. in any part it, there they Will ind equal
laws and meet the faces Of friends and brethren where
ann gentlemen. with great respect your fellowcitizen
Of the United States. ,,,., G umpp