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

TO correct all naisapprehension, I think il
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
or the exhibition of an uncharita-
BILE spirit towards those differing with them rs
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 We're just as open to an
imadvcrsiOn The Convention which Met here
one year previous was quite az deserving of
censure and the same may be said of other
meetings of Abolitonsts elsewhere. and of
those of the Garrison party in Boston and New
York. Of many of these it may be said, with
too much truth, that they have been marked
by the same spirit of sweeping denunciaton
of the American Churches the same DISPOSE
ton to overlook the vast amount of good done
10y 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 II Christian church
and to overlook all that has been done and is
doing for the ultimate removal of this enOr-
nous evil, if be not done with the railroad
speed or in the peculiar manner they desire.
II 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 amplifcaton and proof of my
allegations as would have been desirable was
not the choicest and some sentences were left
open 10 criticism | have yet to be convinced
that the censures bestowed upon the extreme
views, and the temper in which they were ad-
vocatcd in that Convention, were not substan-
TALLY Just.
To the platform upon which the Convention
met, made no objection. Called in a catholic
spirit with the best intentions, it was designed
to be a cordial union of earnest Anti-Slavcry
men of all opinions for free discussion. SO far
all was unobjectionable 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 II
more thorough discussion, uniniluenced by per-
sonalites, than they received or are likely to
receive. in such gathering of ardent reform
ers Without attempting to enter into any
argument, will refer ia them specifically.
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 seccde from them to come out" from
their communion, and thus wash their hands
t.,., 81. ..c G.,
which they would be personally responsible as
long rs they remained in them. There can be
no mistake here, ~ the language employed
was decided, and definite to the dullest 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 tho speakers as to come
out incidentally in some form in most of the
addresses. The old churches were uniformly
spoken Of as corrupt, apostatc hopelessy we'd
ded to Slavery; the political parties placed in
the same category, and secession, not puriica-
ton or reformation, insisted upon Us tho sole
remedy.
Your Cleveland correspondent says a dis
elimination was made i'm 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 a right po-
aion, and n faithful testimony no one who
heard the debates in the Convention can doubt
Was it intended to except from his richly
merited 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 its
speedy extinction who entertain honest doubts
as to the safety or propricty Of instant cman-
cipation, and cannot approve many Of the
measures proposed to accomplish it, 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
huence for ts 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 oil othcr evils will be sepa-
rated from it without strife or division Was
it intended to allow any freedom Of opinion or
action as to the measures best TO BIO adopted for
the extinction of Slavery or it's separation
from the Church Nay, verify No one con-
versant with the views of the leading men
there will pretend this. All those who do not
consent to the propriety Of the cxcision of every
without regard to circumstances,
from the church. or to secession from all
churches that allow slavchoding M duty
all, indeed, who do not adopt in its length and
breadth the line Of policy which these men
have marked out ~ the "right position" come
within the range of their denunciatons.
Now have nothing To say against the pro-
pricty Of adopting secession from church or
party, in order to promote more effectually the
cause Of Liberty. In practice like yourself,
| have sanctioned this course. But, as one who
has no connection with any religious society
tolerating Slavery, and who long since repu.
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 u non.poter, ] accord for
those who are sincerely Anti-Slavery in their
feelings the same liberty claim for myself
may deem il my duty tn aid in forming purer
church. but il by no means follows that it is
ma neighbours duty The wronglulncss Of slave
holding, and the duty Of bearing n decided ties.
timony against il, arises from the great and
fundamental law-"Thou shalt love thy neigh
Dor a. myself" but outward organizations,
religious or political, are matters Of eIwdieney
and the choice Of them il to be settled by every
individual for himself asip the u OF God.
Some Of the best Anti Slav1ky menin 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
ha prosumed have actAd from thu hest yuofsves .