Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-09-13
WHY REV, MR.. BoARDMAN LEFT SOUTH
CAROLINA.

The following communication by Rev. George
D. Boardman is to the editor of the New York
Examiner.
Several days after the assault upon Senator
Sumner ut Washington, as | was standing among
q promiscuous company of gentlemen, was sud
denly asked my opinion of the affair. Without
stopping to weigh the consequences, made just
such an answer as the warm, generous impulse OF
every true mans heart would have prompted.
Ike warmly, for | could not stand by and hear
the character of a noble minded man falsely and
touliy aspersed, without attempting to vlndlcate
It, though at the expense of one whose only pass
port to immortality is his dastardness, And though
at Il ie time distinctly and repeatedly dsclnimed
all Consideration of the slavery question, for ami
madvercd upon the affair simply as personal
mat er between Mr.. Sumner and Mr., Brooks, still
foresaw clearly that a storm was brewing, and
though it might be ayerted temporarily, know 1t
would be finally inevitable. | therefore at once
decided to resign my pastorate, and leave the
State, before there should be any excitement, for
was by no means ambitious of notoriety which
could be purchased at so little cost.
The same day on which the above conversation
occurred, announced my decision to some of the
leading members of my church. | must confess
was agrReably surprised at what followed. They
would not listen a moment to the idea OF my leav'
ing. They even went 50 far as to propose to call
public meeting of the citizens, irrespective OF
denOminational atfnities, and to pass resolutions
of their continued confidence in me-a proposition
which hardly need to say, the mcdesty which
should ever characterize the Christian minister,
prompted me peremptorly to decline. 1t certainly
was very unexpected to me. that all these express
sions Of kind regard for myself should have been
given not only after had expressed sentiments
in relation to the Brooks outrage, at variance with
the views of the large majority of the community,
but also after my explicitly stating that in the
Kansas question, and in reference to the general
principle of slavery extension my sympatAies were
entirely with the North. They reiterated their APP
pealS to me most urgently to remain. | began to
waver in my decision. | thought Of the deeply
interesting religious state Of feeling in my oongre-
CATION | thought OF their past Kindness and the
glowing warmth of their present protestatiuns OF
affection and esteem. At length | told them in
effect, as follows: | have no further conceal
meutS or disclosures to make. You will under
stand now my my position. You know that I am
neither an abulitonist nor slavery extensionist
Afte. this there is no need Of stating publicly my
views. If, under such circumstances, you desire
me to remain, will, in all probability, return &c
you from the North next autumn. Aud this was
the final understanding.
For private reasons | was obliged to visit the
North this summer. When left B., so far as
was a aware, enjoyed the unanimous regard o
the community. Judge, then, of my surprise wher
tel YOU that shortly after my arrival in Phila
Geipsit geceiysd an official letter from my church
couched in the kindost terms, but Enthusiastically ad
yising me not to return They were so cautious
as to say that regard for me, prompted them t
write this letter. OF course, but one alternatv,
was left me. Weel ago,l forwarded to my churcl
my unconditional resignation.