Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-08-15
before alluded to. This time the MAORI,

O6lOt6 1lluueQ 10. 1nlS Time the mal0Its
ty-prcparatory TO the meeting Of the
General ConEerence-exhibited more de-
termination. and the simply ''Gnti-sIavsry'
men Of the cold Baltimore" saw that
they would have hard road to travel
at Indianapolis, though only differing
from the EXTREMIST as to a matter of ex-
pediency. The work of soothing the "ul-
ira brethren" into a continuance OF the
belief that I" the Baltimore Conference is
the strongest aud most efficient anti-sla-
very power in the United States, without
exception" was commenced beforehand.
DIR. Durbin. very distinguished minister
OF the cautious anti slavery" school, who
tells us that he was born in slavehold-
ing State, but left home and State because
slavery was tolerated, and sought home
in State free from the ''gTedt inQu "
led off in this preparatory contest,
through tho columns Of the "Christian
Advocate and Journal" AS time adyan-
ces these polished advocates OF simple
aHti-slausry'' become less reserved, and
gradually reveal more and more OF the
great end which they have SO long con
cealed from their brethren in Maryland
and Virginia. DR.. Durbin boldly uncov.
ers what 1 consider a most important fea-
ture of the plan, now in operation by all
these Northern Methodist preachers, to
aboIitionize Maryland and Virginia. l
am sorry have not the paper by, me,
but will quote from memory one argu-
ment in substance. Says DR.. Dur6in !:
You may abolish slavery in the Metho-
dist Episcops! Church by turning out
those who refuse to emancipate their
slaves, but this does not accomplish the
great object for which we are laboring-
its abolition IN the Slate but if you retain
these slave holders in the Church, and
exercise proper influence. they in turn,
will exert controlling influence in the
State. and achen tie State a6Olishes Slavery.
of course. 1t goes out Of tie Church." No
man of sense will deny the fitness and
force of this argument. The Baltimore
Conference, have only to carry out fully
this theory ofretaining their slave holding
members and using them efectu0lly, and in
due time. if the people keep their eyes
shut to this thing, the Northern Metho-
dist Church will have conquered the
"9reat moral evp' of slavery in Maryland
and Virginia. That they have been for
years, and are still doing this work in this
identical way, is Illuminating, but stub
born, fact. We will hasten to say a word
to the Baltimore Conference delegates a.
Indianapolis. ...
DR.. Durbin's argument had, no doubt,
its effect, and relieved the great leader Of
the "Gnti Slavery party of much hard
, work; still he had to'do much hard talk
ing 10 prevent the " ultru'' brethren from
spelling the Baltimore Conference" plan
of aboIitionizing Maryland and Virginia.
Upon the position to make slave. holding
a tesle of membership, the great Balti-
more leader had need of all his skill.
He threatened, and then coaxed tie " uz-
4ras.'' He took new grounds, but did
not By any means, neglect the old. He
Introduced a metaphysical sort of "rgu-
Iaent about the unconstitutionality OF the
position, because it had not received the
formal sanction of three-fourths OF the
annual Conferences composing that body.
This alarmed aud threw off soma; Dat
the chief reliance was to lead the Confer
ence along the old path OF expediency,
whether principle led the way or not; AMI
along this track he did some of the tallest
coaxing l have seen or heard lately.
"Why, brethren" said this cautious leader
Rev. John A. Collins-to the " ulEI,t>
ISIS" II wish it understoodin the outset,
that there are not two parties here, as ex-
listed in 1914, a genHine Southern party
and an adverse party" have italicised
the word genuine, because, in this connec-
ton. under all the circumstances, it is an
admissions of all that Yirginians ought
to ask, to enlighten them.
No, no these Baltimore Conference
delegates are not "9enuine" Southerners
in the face of their abolition brethren:
Then if not I" genUine," they must be spu-
rious. Now, ask the slave holding Me-
thodists of the Northern church in Mary
land and Virginia, if they desire to be
represented by spurious Southerners
OF course the representative must, to some
extent, reflect the character of those he
represents. Mr.. Collins says he is not q
genuine SouLherner how then are you
genuine or spurious? These spurious
Southerners, in farther illustration of the
'anti-slGVery" seed which they have been
sowing for years on slave-holding soil is
beginning to produce it's fruit, boosted
that much Of the work was already done.
They considered it SANDER to say that
the Northern Methodist church Of Mary
land and Virginia was a pro slavery
church: so efectually, and yet so quietly
had they operated, that not thirty slaves
~ero left among the members of the Bal
timore city station. Ae
These arguments once more Quoted
many of the most ultra abolition dele
gates, and brought them to the side of Mr.
Collins in opposition to any clog to the
quiet workings of the Baltimore Confer
ence preachers. Even the Rev. DR.. Nc
CIintock, than whom the Northern
Church boasts no ADLER son, and, certain
iy none moro Jealous in defense Of the
ian idea of freedom, spoke for and voted