The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-27

the Ohio Statesman. The statement had ap-
peared in the New York Herald Journal Of
Commerce, and other papers.
1t seems bill had been introduced similar to
the Vermont law
sV The Southern Christian Advocate, one
of the ablest and most influential organs of the
Methodist Church South, uses this emphatic
language in relation to
REUNION WITH THE NoRTH-A suggestion
has been recently made by the New York Ear
press an influential secular paper, that an effort
should be made in this time of political compro-
misses, TO re-unte the Northern and Southern d.
visions of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In
this it is likely the Express speaks the wishes
Of not few Oft the enlightened and liberal among
the membership of the Northern Methodist
Church. So far all this is an exhibition Of
aminble feelings, We are glad to see it. But a
more hopelessly chimeriaa idea was never set
afloat. Reunion in the present circumstances
OF the Northern and Southern sections Of the
United States, is n downright, utter, and sheer
mpossibility. Putting out of sight the fact that
the general conference Of the Northern Church
declined the simple overture on the part Of the
Southern MethOdists to open and maintain
friendly relations on the basis Of an nmicabe
fraternity Of feeling; and compelled the latter
TO resort to legal measures to obtain fair divi-
sion Of the property contracted for in the deed
Of separation the state of opinion-general
opinion prevailing in the Eastern, Northern and
Northwestern portions of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church is such, and ever will be such as
to forbid, absolutely and pcremptory, any fu-
ture coalescence on our part while the domestic
institutions of the slaveholding States remain in
their present integrity.
There is too much "hgher-law COINCIDENCE"
amongst Northern methodists, too much nflamed
prejudice quasi religious, too widespread ia
natical virus in the press, the pulpit, and the
prayer-room, to allow the ghost of hope to
come from the grave of our buried ecclesiastic-
al union to tell of any further resurrection A
united Methodist church has bequeatbed its last
legacy to the political union in the shape of
solemn warning to statesmen and politicians,
that submissive as the South may be regarded
there is a
Terminating pillar high"
beyond which it will not be forced
And in addition to the foregoing consider
atoms, there is another which is not without
weight. The expansion and growth of the orig
inal connection had made the ecclesiastical ma
chincry cumbersome in its working. The divi-
sion Of the church into two jurisdictions was a
measure judicious in ITSELF and desirable for
other reasons besides the slavery agitation. Had
it been carried out by the North in friendly
spirit, it would have given relief to both sec
tions and presented to the world one of the
noblest spectacles ever shown in the history of
churches As it is, the resources Of each sec
ton have been increased. The annual confer
ences have moved on in their appropriate cal
ling, just as they did before the division. Each
section has tested its capabilities for independ-
ept action and selfsustaining growth When
the hand Of time has softened down the asper-
ties occasioned by the disruption, it is likely that
the two connections may stand on a friendly
footing, shake hands across the border, and main
tain the spirit Of noble rivalry in public use
fulhess. But any union closer than this, any re-
turn to the original regime, is not possible, even
if it were desirable,--is not desirable, were il