The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-07-01
LETTER FROM CINCINNATI.
CINCINNATI June 10. 1852.

10 correct All nlsal plehehsion, tnlhk lt
proper to say that my structures in II late letter
upon the temper exhibited in the Anti-Slavery
Convention which met here, were not designed
to single out that body, or its individual MEM
bers. as peculiarly obnoxious to the charge of
intolerance or the exhibition of an uncharita-
bic spirit towards those differing with them as
to the mOduS Operdndi of this reform. have
attended meetings of this kind in previous
years and have read the published proceed
ings Of others, which were just as open to an
imadycrsOn. The Convention which met here
one year previous was quite as deserving of
censure, and the same may be said of other
meetings of Aboltionists elsewhere, and of
those of the Garrison party in Boston and New
York Of many of these it may he said with
too much truth, that they have been marked
by the same spirit of sweeping Remuneration
of the American Churches: the same DISPOSE
ton to overlook the vast amount of good done
by the great voluntary associations of the pres
| ent day. which derive all their efficiency from
the Evangelical Christianity of the age the
same disposition TO make deficiency of duty
in regard to the removal of one great sin viii
ate all the good accomplished by religious
society; the same tendency to make certain
views in regard to the Slavery question the
sole test Of personal piety, the decisive stand
ard of the character of Christian church
and to overlook all that has been done and is
doing for the ultimate removal of this enor-
nous evil if it be not done with the railroad
speed or in the peculiar manner they desire.
1t was this spirit which | perceived was
prominent in the Convention, that condemn
ed and though my language, owing to my
having written on the spur of the moment, and
not as fully in amplifeation and proof of my
allegations as would have been desirable, was
not the choicest and some sentences were left
open 10 criticism, have vet to be convinced
that the censures bestowed upon the extreme
views, and the temper in which they were adj
yocated in that Convention, were not substan-
TALLY just
To the platform upon which the Convention
met made no objection. Called in II catholic
spirit with the best intentions, it was designed
to be a cordial union of earnest Anti-Saycry
men of all opinions for free discussion. SO lar
all was objectionable but there were posi-
tons assumed as true, without anything like
adequate proof which led to much OF the spirit
of which ! complain and which deserve
more thorough discussion, unintluenced by per-
sonalties, than they received, or are likely to
| receive, in such gathering Of ardent reform
ers. Without attempting to enter into any
|
The charge was made again and again in
every form of expression, that the Churches,
or rather the Church organizations Of the
land, were wholly corrupt unworthy of
confidence" were "not Churches of Christ,
&c. that it was the duty of all Anti-Slavery
men to secede from them, to come on" from
their communion and thus wash their hands
of all participation in the sin Of Slavery for
which they would he personally responsible as
long as they remained in them. There can be
no mistake here, ~ the language employed
was decided and definite to the dullcst appre-
hension. There was no labored attempt it is
true to prope these positions; they were rather
taken for granted, and 80 interviewer with the
trains Of thought of the speakers as to come.
out incidentally in some form in most Of the
addresses. The old churches were uniformly
spoken of IA corrupt, apostatc hopelessly we'd
ded to Slavery; the political parties placed in
the same category, and SECESSION, not purifica-
ton or reformation, insisted upon as tho sole
remedy
Your Cleveland correspondent says dis
elimination was made in favor of those
churches which have taken right position
have separated themselves from Slavery, and
have borne faithful testimony against this
gigantic evil What is meant by right po-
ation, and n faithful testimony no one who
heard the debates in the Convention can doubt.
Was it intended to except from his richly
mcritcd ccnsuren the numerous church men,
bers and ministers who deplore the existence
of Slavery; who do not apologize for it; who
openly condemn it who would rejoice in it's
speedy extinction who entertain honest doubts
as to the safety or propricty of instant cman-
cipation, and cannot approve many OF the
measures proposed 10 accomplish II, but feeling
that they cannot be personally responsible for
this sin, or any other existing in the commun-
ion of the Church. while they are bearing an
open testimony against it, and using their in
nuence for it, removal, prefer TO retain their
old connections, full Of hope, gathered from
the knowledge they have of the great amount
Of vital truth and true goodness existing with
in it, that this and all othor evils will be sepa-
rated from it without strife or division Was
it intended to allow any freedom of opinion or
action ~ to the measures best to be adopted for
the extinction of Slavery or its separation
yersant with the views of the leading men
there will pretend this All those who do not
consent to the propriety Of the cxcsion Of every
without regard to circumstances,
from the church. or to secession from all
churches that allow slaveholding M a duty
all indeed, who do not adopt in its length and
breadth the line of policy which these men
have marked out ~ the "r,ght position" come
within the range of their denunciations.
Now, have nothing to say against the pro-
pricty Of adopting secession from church or
party, in order 10 promote more eHectually the
cause Of Liberty. Ina practice, like yourself,
| have sanctioned this course But as one who
has no connection with any religious society
tolerating Slavery, and who long since repn.
dated both the great political parties, controlled
~ they have always been by the Slave Power,
and who il compelled TO choose between Them
would certainly be II non-uoier ] accord for
those who are sincerely Anti-Slavery in their
feelings the same liberty claim for myself !
may deem it my duty To aid in forming purer
church, but it by no means follows that il is
mn neighbors duty The wrongluness Of slave
holding, and the duty Of bearing decided tes.
timony against it, arises from the great aud
fundamental law-"1bou shalt love thy neigh
Dor a. myself" but outward organizations
religious or political, are matters of erpediencp
and the choice Of them il to be settled by every
individual for himself asip the II OF God.
Some of the best Anti Slav0ky men1n the coun-
try, those who originated the movement in favor
of Freedom, and have always been its stead
fast friends have never thought it expedient to
leave the churches with which they are con-
nected others, who have pursued different
course have still supported the old parties
while many others have left both. All, it is to
be presumed, have acted from the best motives,