The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1854-10-04


BY VIM. H. MERRITT.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1854.
THE MErHoDisTs ON SLAVERY.
Correspondence OF the N. Y. Tribune
Warsaw. n. Y. F.iday, Sep Is, 1854.
The G-nes-e Annual Conference (Metho
dist.) composeo of the Ministers Of Erie, Ma
CARA, Orleans, Monroe, Geneser, Wsnming
aud Allegany Counties, clio ed session of ten
DAYS at Warsaw, Wyoming County. on the
l4th instant, Bishop James prrsd.ns-ub"ni
one hundred and twenty Ministers being in at
The Conference unanimously adopted very
strong and able Report, presented by CON-
snitter, headed by Or. Chanlb-riayne. which
will be forwarded in due time 10 TINS TRisvSE
for publication. The Report concludes with
the following Resolutions, which were nd'p ed
unanimously:
!. Rsseirsd, That obedience to the Fugitive
Slave law 70 not obligatory; bu, that, on the
contrary, we are bound to spurn il, as shame
less and wicked attemptt, impose upon u a
bondage even more degrading than that q
viii h il requires our aid in reducing the hunted
fugitive that BY the grace Of God we will
never contract the guilt Of c'mplciy with the
s,ealers of mrn, infinitely pref ring to abid.
the penalty Of non compliance to the enduring
infamy OF either passive or active acquieScenc.
in the most Insulting ex,ction ever thrown into
the teeth If men possessing the least res;"c'
for themselves, the laws of the Creator and III.
equal rights If their fellow men; and we here
BY exhort .ur people, as they have opportunity
u follow our example. ls ,.ss7s
2. That the la;e action of the United States
- - 49, 4 49,
souri, Compromise prohibiting Slavery in IN.
territory known 20 Kansas aud Nebrask il r..
peal.d, il . Asgrant and shameless pertidy 70 q
sacred compact, which, while Il abates ,ll-
obligation Uf all kindred compromises, we viii
never cease 10 oppose by all constitution
means, till iis execrable ohjec, is defeated
8 That while we are unaltcrably op. osed to
the acquisition or admission IF Territories "a
States into til Coniederacy on other grounds
than those Of the utter and everlasting exe'u-
zion Of Slavery, we are equally opposed 10 the
Organization OF Churches or Conferences on
other than the same grounds
That IN the jud yment ri this Conference II
10 competent for the General Conference SO Ia
constrae the gene raj rule On Slavery as that II
shall prohibit the holding o: human beings in
involuntary servi.ude by the members af ouI
Church and that the General Conference be
requested At lie next session 10 declare such
construction, and to provide regulations for ito
application and execution, with the least possi
tic injury 10 the parties tn be affected BY 1t, and
in the most effectual manner.
s. That inasmuch a. political evils require
appropriate political remedies, we will vote 70,
no man, for any State or National Office, who
Is N Il firmly and explicitly pledged against the
further aggres sion Of the slave power, aud III
favor Of retaining the rights and powers
which have been usurped BY il, and whose PEI.
sonal character - not guaranty that he will
act accordingly and that We earnestly advise
our.people +, follow our example.
8. That on the ground Of the want Of strin-
Qency and definteness in the Resolution OF the
Troy Conference, this Conference do hereby
mn concur in that Resolution.
The above resolutions adopted by the Gene
see annual Conference Of the Methodist EPis.
copal Church Of New York, will be read with
great surprise, ne have M doubt, by all wis
discredi, the propriciy and policy of religious
organizations, a. such, Interfering with ques-
TONS Of gov -rumental pulley. We have too
often remarked upon the effect likely to be pro-
duced in society and upon the cause Of religion,
and the prosperity Of religious sec's, 10 require
anything from Us at this time; but it will mol
be expected that We should sane ion, by a ,imd
silence, the extraordinary doctrines set forth in
these resolutions.
The FIRST resolution proposes and recommend
what, if carried out, would be rank treason to
the government. Of the United States. II pro-
poses to disregard plain provision Of the con-
stitution Of the United States and recommend
10 the members Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church of that Conference, resistance to Lac
Of the federal government. Suppose this reso,
luton should Be Acted upon, BY the Clergy and
laymen uf this denomination in the Gepesee
conference and Fugitive Slave who had es-
capped into that District should be apprehended
by his MISTER, examined BY q United States
Commissioncr and remandedto service, what
would b the result: Of course these parties
would be bound By their resolution TO resist the
officers Of The law in returning the slave to his
master. Well, suppose they resist, what then
follows. IL sufficient local force cannot b.
raised, or relied upon, to execute the law, the
President must order the United States troops
on 70 the ground = prot.ct the officers in exc
eu.iuy il. Are thess i.ious Divines prepar-
ed t. assume responsibility Of this mayni-
tade Are they rssdy to commia treason and
place the peace Of the county and the welfare
Of the church in jeopardyi Are they seady to
OPEN the f.,od gates Of revolution and civil
anarchy and 10 convert this peaceful and happy
country, into theatre Of rapine, murder and
al the brutal aud fiendish ex.esses, to which =
i.wless aud irresponsible army Of mad men,
stimulated ~ ignorance, and prejudice, are liz,
BE to. It this resolution has been adopted in
good faih, they are ready for oil this and much
more and y-tsws can scarcely believe tina,
men are 10 their right minds, who 20 wantonly
be,ray the interests Of their country and their
Cr~atur and % stubbornly refuse 70 be guided
BY the light Of reason aud revelation. lsit not
high time for patriots 70 plant ,hen,selves upon
The Constitution, when religioussosganizatians
propose 10 trample that sacred instrument under
foot The tune has come for rational men and
true conservators Of the nations liberty and vel
fare, 70 ahsndon such teachers and # necessary
leave the church and join others which will
ffown down this mo, al montrosity.
The second resolution denounces with much
bitterness and in no apparent spirit Of christian
charity, the Nebraska bill and declares the re-
peal If the Missouri ACT, ga fragrant aad
sksmsiess pe.fdyto . sacred compact. We
have repeatedly commented upon the utter fall
lacy OF calling the Missouri act. compact ;
and therefore it 10 unnecessary to recapitola,e
what is already familiar to our readers; but We
embrace this opportunity to challenge any friend
Ct the Missouri act, to produce an iota of testi-
N my, which will 60 + establish lhs,existence
u ! compact such ~ they contend for. Such
sauspsct never existed and no man familiar
with tho legislation for the admission Of Mis-
souri, II Honest, will risk his reputatioA BY
claiming Tor The Missouri act, the dignity OF q
compact II never possessed an element ne
cessary /" constitute il q compact. And if j.
had been compact. the very fact that it has