New-York daily tribune., 1856-05-22
PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEYBLY-SEW
SCHOOL

the Moderator. the Rev. DR.. HIcKoCH called the
Assembly to order.
In anticipation of discussion upon the subject Of
Slavery the attendance unusually large, both oil
con uissioners and citizens aud ladies'.
The Rev. TBoRsIoS ID. MILLS, of Indiana, ex-
pressed hope that during the debate that wouId
undoubtedly take place, commissioners Woui NOT
allow themselves be actuated by iraternal feelings,
and that no expressions might be used which would
engender the opposite feelings They should not con-
duct themselves political gadiators
DR. ASA d. SMITH, who offered the majority report,
said be was not zeaot upon the Slavery question.
He abborred the system from the lowest depths OF hs
heart and if there could De any lower depth found
from which he could abhOr it, he would search dill
gently for il. At the same time he trusted that ne
had great deal of charity with reference 10 hdl'ld
uals There were shareholders the latchet OF whose
shoes he was III worthy to unlOOse. lie drew dner-
euce between the individual and the system. The
subject be regarded as appropriate TO be discussed
here. Tue position OF the majority Oh tue 1ouihlSeee
was this: They had guns enough IN this Maakon ot
Freedom to be effective against auy attack. But Dr;
BOYD said they look badly some OF them, and asked
if they bad not better take down a. m1ny as they
could. He DIR. Boyd said they would De peacea3le
on their side as peaceabe they could; so the Ma
iotitv Committee took down gun after another,
until they bad only one left in hopes that they mght
secure a III animOus report from the Committee Iney
had not seen Dr. Boyd's report, and when he tDr.
Boydl came TO unmask his battery, they saw some
flames stream forth and some smoke, and his shots
raked all along the course OF former General Assem-
blies The balls went back 10 the Assembly OF
1873 and if he not mistaken, good old Dr. Greea
oot a flesh wound from them. After DR.. Boyds report
was read 10 the Assembly, brethren came TO hin and
asked if he had not better come and take down their
remaining gun, just for the sake OF peace Ihough
DIR. Boyd argument was able, yet II was not con-
elusive and the intellect cid not exist that could make
il co. There were contradictions, tasits and Absurd
tes there that could be fully If the mat
ter was to be argued upon this floor.
Judge JEssuP inquired what was the state oi tue
question now
The MoDIRAroR stated that the motion now peud-
ing was the one to print both reports in the minutes.
Judge JEssUP sad he was opposed to such action,
ss the effect of il would be to remove the whole sup
iect beyond the consideration othe present Assembly
and piecude them from expressing an opinion on the
matter involved. THIS question OF the constitutional
power of the General Assembly To act had been sent
over 10 this mby for the purpose OF being reported
upon. For what purf Ose To have the reports SIM
piy put in the minutes No. Sir Ii with the view
Of having the General Assembly declare, as TAR as ITS
declaration goes the extent of the power of the Gen
eral Assembly upon this m itter This night OF giving
construction to the constitutional powers and the nights
aid duties of tn. judcaories OF the Chuch mas oeen
one branch of business which the General Assembly
has uniformly assumed. They should not do their duty
to the Church did they fail to speak of it, He did not
believe that these discussions had been unwholesome
or unhealthy.
Mr. ALLEN thought that the reports were elaborate
and mastery efforts; and unless they took up the sub
ject and discussed il, il would be trffing with IT, III
brethren regarded this as difficult subject, he would
OILY ray that there greater danger IN avoiding
tlsn in discussing it. He moved therefore the adop
ton of the majority report.
The Rev. MIR. BEEBE of Missouri said he had lis.
tened with much interest to the discussion which 81
been had upon this subject, which was OF paramount %
majority of this body being from the North, and the
minority from the South, they sesired to know de-
fnt.y what action to be taken upon the subject.
The Church in the South desire to know the news of
this as TO the extent of the former they passes
the subject of Slavery as it exists among them There
had been great deal said about the liberty of opln-
ion and they Of the South were accustomed to hear
on the floor of this Assembly opinions expressed very
freely upon the subject of Slavery and unfortunately,
they were always in the position of cupnts aud
not accusers. But they submitted to the
expressions of opinion with a great deal of
patience though they did not alter their opinions They
desired the Assembly TO treat the matter frankly, aud
not meay .mouthed aud tell what it intended to do.
They were willing to leave it with the General Assem-
bly, but they earnestly desircd that Minority Report
submitted by Dr. BOYD might go upon the Minutes and
be in the possession of all the Church, both North and
South. rum the effort to reconsider the vote to prlnt
in pamphlet form, he could not Orbear the conclusion
that there al ndispOsition to print the Minority
Report They of the South were bat twenty five out
of two hundred but h. hoped the General Assembly
would lave the candor to at least print the Minority
Re port.
The Rev. DIR. WrssER said that the motion to re-
consider the motion to print for the purpose OF
moving to postpone In the motion 10 postpone there
was cerl.ny nothing adverse to the South. When
men but appeared from the proceedings Of this
General Assembly that they could act calmly upon the
matter. 1t could not be said that efforts had been
made to put brethren down. Let the Southern dele
gate al St. Louis state whether they not allowed
speak TO their hearts content, and as long es have
been in the Presbyterian Church, have never seen
any disposition to put brother from the South
down. They had treated him like brother
at all times. He admired the minority report.
II was as able legal paper as he had ever read and
by he believed that the conettutiOn Of the Presbye
Iian Church was placed just where it ought to be
placed. When DIR. Smith said they would Like to
have gone further, he could only have referred 10 a
MOI al point. There could be no difference in legal
view in the matter Such minds Judge Jessup aud
Judge Haska could not have made legal compro-
mise. DIR. Boyd did Lot take the legal view OF the
majority Of the committee, and hs battery was aimed
at The Detroit resolutions. As the author Of those
oluoDs be Dr. Wisnerl knew what their intent was,
but be said this General Assembly had nothing
to DO with these resolutions. Dr. Boyd had
said that all ofenses in the estimation Of the
church we've mentioned in the Book Of Discipline,
and a. Slavery not mentioned therein, be (Dr.
BOyd th -reiOre inferred that Slavery not Of
ftls.. but reieTeLce to the proceedings VI Isis
would show in what light Slavery was regarded by
the Church. But the whole question here " IL
% the General Assembly satisfied with the gal expo
" son gwen here BY the Majority Committee ~
ii they believed Il was let them say sO and adopt
re<etions TO be an exposition by the highest judi
cbtOiy in the Church Of Goo, which would govern
th, III future tune that say such d-ci,ou would
60 forth the law expouDded by a most able com.
nittee and confirmed by this no As regards the
pTmth the minority report, DR.. Wsner saId II did
not belong to the house 10 prnt what they had not
adopted.
Tie Rev. HESRY WooDs of Mississippi ssid he felt
i. afu that they Of the South would be regarded
speechmsktrs; and there was disposition TO have
thorough Lvestig alton Of the subject he desired to
show the General Assembly that they Of the South
pos cssed forbeaIsnce, aid were gentlemen. He
would lot have the impression go abroad that they