Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-05-31


In the General Conference, now holding lis
session in Indianapolis, Indiana. the folio ing
report was tuaie on the 2lst inst:
MIR Raymond, chairman Of the committee on
slavery then announced that he was ready TO
report Tie hail wac immediately so Sill that
The least uotsep on the carpet was audible.
DR.. Dublin altnounced that the minority he
believed was not quite ready with their report.
He was ready, but some OF the members had
within an hour expressed desire to review il
bet0Ie IL Was offered.
MIR. Ray mond then read the report The
committee after a suitable preamble recon-
mendsd The passage OF The following resolu-
lions:
Resolved by the delegates in General Confsr.
euce assembled, that we recommend 10 The An
nual Conferences tie aIlelslien 81 die Decipline
in regard TO The general rules slavery SD as TO
read
elhe buying and selling OF holding human
being IN bondage
"Resoired, That we recommend as a qultsl-
'ute Tor the seventh chapter Of the Book Of Dis
cipne the following.
What shall he done Tor the expiration Of the
evil Of slavery
Answer I've declare that we are as much
as ever convinced OF The great stu OF slavery -
We balfeve that all men 10y nature have all
equal right 10 freedom, anu that no man has
moral right TO hold fellow being as property
Therefore, no STAKEHOLDER shall be eligible 10
membership in our church hereafter, where
emancipation can be effected vlthout injury 10
the slave. But, inasmuch as persons may be
bought into legal relation Of SHAREHOLDERS livol-
unfairly or vo unfairly by purchasing slaves
III order to free them, therefore the mci eg legal
relation shall not be considered OF itself suffi-
oIp IN yp ho th.,c
tain il from the fellowship Of the church.
Answer 2-W henever a member of our
church, by any meaus becomes The owner OF a
slave, II shalt be the duty OF the preacher IN
charge 10 call committee. OF at least three
members, who shall investigate the case, and
determine The time il which said slave shall
be freed and on his refusal or uegec, to abide
by the decision OF said committee, he shall be
dealt with as in case of Immortality.
Answer at shall be The daty OF all sur
members and proualouers, " hD may sustain
the legal relation OF STAKEHOLDER, TO teach their
servants 10 read the word oil Ged to allow
them to attend he public worship Of God GA
our regular days Ut divine service; to pro
tect them in observance Of the duties OF the
conJugal and parental relations; 10 give them
such compensation Tor thsIr services rs may
Under The circumstances, be Just and equal; 10
make such provisions as may be legally prac-
tcable 10 prevent them aud their Ilusterty from
passing Iulo perpetual slavery; and 10 ii eat them
III all respects as required by the law ct love.
Answer 1T shall be the duy OF our
preachers rrudenjiy 10 enforce The above III les
John A. Collins, of the Baltimore Conf. renee,
announced that he was ready 10 present the mi.
nory report Oh slavery. On motion, the reg
ular older was suspended to receive H.
l. The chapter proposed by the majority,
nj n i
very, is maniiesly in conaes with the ecnsti-
ton OF our church. In the first answer 10 the
question "what shall be done for The exlerpa-
non OF the evil Of slavery" It is provided that
40 slave holder shall be eligible 10 membership
in our church hereafter, when emancipation
can be effected without injury 10 the slave.
which ere ates a condition OF membership un-
known 10 the discipline, and which cannot be
enacted under the general rule as il now stands,
in relation to slavery. This feature is intended
10 bear upon applicants for admission Into our
s0clei =.
2. The answer reaches members now in cur
chuich, who by any means may become the
owners OF slaves and also those who are al
present slave holders, if they shall come into
The possession Of more. In either 6f those cases
the party IS to be brought begorea committee To
determine the fime IN which the slave shall be
freed, and Ill the event OF tie refusal or neglect
comply VITA the decision OF the committee. he
IS % be dealt With IS in cases Of Immortality
has clearly making emancipation, huj IN ct.
feet, u9a saveholdug, a term Of communion
or church fellowship with ~,
Before this provision raH be enerafled upon
the discipline cUnsiilntonally, the general rule
with respect 10 slavery must be essentially alters
ed, winch can only be Gone ey compliance
with the proyisu 10 sixth restriction, which
says:
Ptoridsd, nevertheless; that upol tie concur
rent recommendation Of ree.tesrlhs Of ali the
members of the several annual conferences shalt
be present AMI vote on such recommendations
then majority oftwo-ihlrds o. The general con
ference succeeding shall suffice to alter any oil
the above restrictions, excepting HE tstafticle,
and also whenever such alteration or alterations
,Eall have first been recommended By two
thirds OF the general conference; soon as
ihree-luortbs OF the members o. all the an.
nual conferences shall have concurred as afore-
sad such alteration or alterations shall lake
place.
Ii is not proposed in the report of the ma jorily
OF the committee TO submit this Action 10 TIA
operation OF the Constitutional method bu, TO
carry it by mere majority oil the conference,
leaving the general rule "a it is, which, il sue
cesstul. and the proposed chapter be placed in
the discipline, will be a palpabe violation OF the
constitution.
Because our discipline, as weundcvs,and it,
is probably cow as sIroagy opposed 10 slavery
as the stale and circumstances Of the case viii
allow.
g.. Because we are clearly understood 10 be
and are accepted and treated as church oppos.
ed to slavery; vet having due regard 10 the au-
thority of the State.
4. Because our practice under the discipline
is faithful and fruitful Of eooa, restraining the
rafiick and working the cheerful and voluntary
emancipation ofmany slaves.
b. Because we are deeply convinced that any
increased sfineurcies OF the discipline on the
subject OF slavery viii greatly weaken ii no; de-
stroy, our church III slaveholding States and
along the boiders.
g. Because this reduction ofonr Influence as
a church, Instead otpromolina what the ma lori
ty desire, wil very much retard the cause of
individual and ultimate emancipation, and much
endangered and diminished the welfare of the
slaves; for, as regards the slave, we are the only
church which exercises any permanent ministry
and walehial care oil The colored population,
within those conferences which are 10 be al
isoted by the proposed measures of the ma.
jority. We have many and popuuus church
es among the eolored people, and our access 10
them depends upon the good will oil their mas
lers. But by the adoption Of the proposed, meas.
ules we shall be, TO great extent forbidden 10
preach to the slaves.