Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-30
Presbyterian General Assembly-[New SCHOOL,

Utica, N. Y. May 90, 1851.
yesterday telegraphed the result of the discussion on
this session, hoped by the adoption of the report OF
DR.. Riddle, chairman of the Committee on Bills and
Overtures, which herewith subjoin. slight amend
ment at the close accepted BY the committee is slI The
change it underwent during the several motions for
amendment and Tor additional resolutions, &c. The
ground taken by the Assembly is that no new issue or
phase OF the subject has arisen since last year, by rea.
son of the Fugitive Slave law, such to require any
further action by this body the subject. Full liberty
Of speech allowed to all, till those who moved
amendments and additional resolutions, either implying
censure OF the law, or asking tor Committee on Sta
tistics OF Slavery al the South as did Rev. Mr. Dick.
nson from the Western Reserved In connection with the
Assembly. voluntarily asked leave to withdraw the
same, or they were after discussion was exhausted
voted down. Only three voices acre heard in the me-
gafre ON the final adoption OF the report of the COM
aittee, so nearly unanimous the members ofth
Assembly in the conclusion Of this "vexed question:"
which has been very calmly and decorously discussed
in the main, and so finally adjusted without any dis.
position the part OF either southern northern men,
to secede from the Assembly. Even Rev Mr. Dick
who provdenaly failed to attend, any inclination TO
secede separate, this account from the Assembly
as Mr. Giddings had taken this ground openly in
separation from the Presbyterian Church came nm
Well may our church be congratulated, and the coun-
try be glad that after all the liberty of discourse
granted, this body has thus come to udicious and
so harmonious result.
The following is the report of the committee as fl
nally adopted by the Assembly:
"The committee Bills and Overtures report over.
ture No. l. memorials, &c on the subject OF slavery,
Presbyery of Chicago, and as connected '', with iib
the same general subject, resolution OF the Pres
bytery OF Bevidere; and letter from the Western
Presbyterian church OF Palmyra, with the questions
touching the Fugitive Slave law; and also from the
church in Johannesburg, New York, on the subject of
the COLONIZATION Society. The memorials are few in
number our in ally kind in spirit, and decorous in mat
ter, and no doubt conscientious in origin The COM
miltee have carefully read and considered these doc
mens, aud unanimously and cordially agree TO the fol-
lowing result That the Assembly have reason to be
thankful 10 Divine Providence for the wisdom and pru
dence vouchsated 10 the last ASS mbly in coming 10
conclusions on this vexed question which have so gen.
orally met with the ac9uescence of the church at this
crss ana mat seems obviously our privilege and du-
~ at the present session leave the whole subiec as
was placed by that action without further agitation
and to devote our time to other sui ecs which demand
attention, always praying that God would hasten on
the day of universal freedom throughout the land and
world.' ~ 1"AN "AN
The last sentence from "and to devote" is the on.
" ADDITION or amsndmentto the original report ottse
committee It was accepted blythe committee at The
suggestion OF Kew. H. S. Hitchcock OF Ohio.
From the Utica Daily Gazette.
The SLAVERY DIscUss1oN--1rs RE.u1r
We feel no ordinary qualification in the issue Of
the slavery discussion in the General Assembly.
The way in which that discussion sprang up our
readers have learned from our report. It has en-
ded In the Assembly's very wisely determining to
take no action on the matters which it involved $50
Inc right OF tree speech was fully preserved-ev-
cry abolilionist was allowed to free himself; men
who had for years been sadly bored with wretched
commonpaces on the subject of slavery consented
with marvellous patience TO be bored once more;
but an overwhelming majority refused to let a
great church be dragged any longer into yexa-
tious and barren agitation.
The discussion on the resolution of Rev. Mr..
Dickinson, OF the Western Reserve, was produce
tive OF the very best results 1t brought out from
three ofthe southern delegates, speeches that were
not only forcible, but characterized by manly
and a christian temper. The impression made
was deep, and will be lasting. Truths were told
of which many northern men were not aware, and
which they will moi. rapidly forget.
We can bear witness to the difficulties that
block the path of southern clergymen in their ac-
ton on slavery, and it is the sheerest ignorance or
wlckedness that would enhance them bv PERM
clous interference And we may say, that if there
Is body OF men in the land Wholesome the res
pect and Kindness and confidence of the church to
which they belong, that body is the New School
Presbyterians of the South. They have sacri-
feed mnch; they deserve much. Mr.. Dickinson
received unanimous permission to withdraw his
resolution.
This action of the General Assembly is not
confined IN its benefit to the Presbyterian Church;
1t will affect powerfully for good the pocal
body; it will strengthen the bonds of our Union.
we are happy to say that President Fillmore
and Attorney General Crittenden mark edly con-
graduated some of the commissioners on the re.
suits OF the discussion of yesterday; they felt that
cial.