Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-04-19
sUTroN, BRAxroN CO.. Va.

JNO. DAVIS DAY.
SUTroN, BRAxroN co., Va,
March FL, 1854.
Messsrs. NJ. LoRENTz, A. NJ. BAsTABLE
and others:
GEErLEMEN Il received your commu'
nication of February 9Th, by the last mail,
and not being able to reply by return
mail. was compelled to defer my answer
10 the present You say, in justice to
myself and many others, you feel called
upon to request me to state a converse
ton which occurred between the Rev.
William Wilson and Mr.. II. A. Holt and
myself, on the subject of the fugitive
slave law, the laws of our State upon sla-
very, and the ultimate object of the NJ.
E. Church as to the subject of slavery.
Mr.. Wilson, Mr.. Holt and myself had
quite long conversation at my own
house in the town of Buckhannon, upon
the subject of the two branches of the NJ.
E. Church, in which the subject of slave
ry was alluded to in its various connex
ions with the church, and also in relation
to the fugitive slave law. Mr.. Wilson
said he was opposed to some of the fea-
lures Of the fugitive slave law. That he
woult not aid in its execution, and that if
he were residing in free state, and flu
gitive would come along, that he would
feed him and shelter him if he was hun
cry and cold, and that if the officers Of
the law were to pursue the slave and
summon him to aid in the execution of
the law, that lie would suffer all the pc
naI.ies of the law before he would aid in
It's execution he said he would not vio-
late his conscience to escape the penalties
of the law. He said, however, that he
would not aid the slave to escape, that
he would treat him as he would any 9TH
err brother-that he would act with indlI-
ference, and if the officers succeeded in
reclaimng him, they might do SO with
out his interference one way or the other.
Mr.. Wilson gave some reasons in detail
why he was opposed to this law, one was
the want of trial by jury, and think the
want of safer mode of Identifying the
fugitive. Much more was said upon the
subject, the particulars of which do not
recollect. | remember that MIR. Holt told
him that he went as far or farther upon
this subject than any of the higher law
men of the north.
In another part of the conversation l
said to him that thought it was unfOrz
tunate for both branches of the church
that the north occupies any portion OF
southern territory; that l thought as they
had separated, that it would have been
better for the harmony of both branches,
ifthey had made the lines between the
free States and the slave States, their
lines Of separation, 10 which he replied
that he though the north branch of the
church was better adapted to the south
than the south branch was, because it
might ultimately be the means of work
ing out the abolition Of slavery. Then
said 1, YOU acknowledge that the object Of
the Northern church is the abolition Of
slavery. He said he didn't say so. l
then said-"I suppose band of kidnap-
pers would be better adapted to the south
than cithcr"-Hc replied " You don't
suppose we steal slaves do you ?" re-
piled no-but the argument would hold
good If one branch of the church is
better adapted to the south than the 9TH
er on account Of its tendency 10 free the
country of slavery, then that which would
remove the evil sooner would be bett or
adapted still" He said he WAS not an
aboltionist, nor did lie NEEDLE with the
subject of slavery.
Mr.. Wilson then spoke Of the moral ef-
feet of the institution of slavery, their be
ing cut of from religious privileges, and
said that the great mass of Virginia slaves
were doomed to He'll by the laws Of their
country.
Il, =, II &C
versation upon the subject alluded 10, be-
tween Mr.. Wilson, Mr.. Holt and myself,
and think the language is the same
used upon that occasion. The language
in relation TO to the laws of Virginia,
know is the language used. The impress.
sion made by that remark was such as to
make the language indelible upon my me-
mory. saw the communication in the
Pittsburg Christian Advocate presume
| am not, the author, given for the state
ment made by the author of the extract
there quoted. If so, the language will be
seen to be very different from the Ian.
guagc used in my presence, though
cannot say that what he did say was more
excusable than what was there stated.
very much regret the necessity which has
III avn llOtI hIe "Ilt|eu sIaISlnSuI vi
conversation which occurred in private
more especially as it occurred in my own
house, but feel excused under the cir.
cumstances, as justice and truth seem tc
demand it of me. AS to anything thai
may be said to my prejudice in relation
TO the conversation alluded to, am quite
indifferent, for he who tells the truth is
quite as apt to be the subject of animal
version, as the one of prevarication and
! falsehood.
Please accept my thanks for the kind
regard which you have manifested owarc
me. B. w. BYRNE.