Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-07-19

take u very wlue reach Ol thought Laughter But
think in argument have got the best of my
Northern brethren, and they must submit (laugh-
ter
A SOUTHERN MANIFESTO.
The Southern Delegates to the New.School Gen
eral Assembly, since the adjournment of that
body Inst week, have published a document, ad-
dressed
To the Ministers and Members OF the Constitu.
tional Presbyterian Church residing in the Slave
holding States.
1t begins by stating that the signers feel il en-
cumbent upon them to make an address to theii
Southern constituents on the subject of Slavery and
to give such suggestions rs to the future course
of the New School Church South as the exigencies
of the present time demand. Its contents are ar.
ranged under six numerical heads substantially
as follows.
J. The Detroit Resolution clearly implies that
slaveholding is not sin per therefore slavehold-
ing cannot, on the ground of sinfulness, be made
a subject of dsipline. The exceptional cases
involve the idea that slavehOlding is not wrong
in ITSELF for if it were sin per Sc no exceptions
could be justified. The undersigned believe that
the committee who prepared the Majority Report,
and the vast minority of the Assembly, have no
sympathy with the sentiment that slaveholding is
n sin per Sc. Such an opinion has never been sane
toned in the General Assembly. The nearest ap
Proclamation to it is found in the resolutions of
1918. But that it was not the intention of the As
sembly of 1918 to express such an opinion is evi
dent, from the fact that those resolutions were
adopted by unanimous vote--such men MS DR..
George Baxter and DR.. Conrad Spence, of Yir-
ginia, voting for them.
2. The Detroit Resolution implies that slave
holding is disciplinable only when it violates the
obligations Of guardianship and the demands hu-
manity Now there is relation in life, that would
not be sinful, if it should Se incompatible with
the interests of humanity. We believe that,
in the surrounding circumstances in which
the coiored population exist in the Slavehold-
ing States the law of love demands that the rela-
ion 0f master and servant should exist. We do
not think therefore, that there is any objection to
the Detroit Resolution thus interpreted aud we
think that such Interpretation is abundantly sane
toned.
3. The Detroit Resolution is not a law of the
Church. 1t expresses the sentiment Of the AS
sem5y Lut it has more authoritative effect than
the opinion of any other body of pious and intel
ligent men. Not the assembly, but the Presby-
terry, is the law-makng power in the Presbyterian
Clutch.
4. A case of siaveholdng properly disiphnable
on the ground of Inconsistency with the demands
of humanity. cannot be disciplined by the Assembly
except the case comes up from a lower judiciary.
1t is like any other case of Discipline brought be-
nation in the Report adopted by the Assembly
that case will to call for action on the part
of lower judiciary and we who are acquainted
with the Operations of Slavery need have no more
fear of case of slaveholding inconsistent with
the demands of humanity occurring among us,
than of in any other relation in life. 1t would
be unjust to infer from the actual discipline. We
are assured that no such idea was entertained Ell
ther by the committee who introduced the Report,
or by the Assembly. The design was simply to
state tho course which the Assembly must pursue,
if case of slaveholding inconsistent with the in
teres of humanity should ever concur.
8. In our judgement the action of the Assembly,
viewed as a whole is favorable to the South--in-
asmuch it expresses the Constitutional prinei-
Piles by which an ofense is to be brought before
the Assembly. 1t is now apparent that the Assem-
bly, has gone as far the Constitution will allow,
unless it acts iudicially. But we have reason
to apprehend that it will ever be called npon to
act judicially. Its opinion in regard to the sys-
TEN of Slavery has been expressed repeatedly
within the last sixty years, and we may, therefore
reasonably expect the cessation of all decaratory
resolutions henceiorlh
6. The undersigned believe that there is no occa-
sion for the separation of the Southern churches
from the Northern. We are persuaded there are
but few who desire the introduction of the Slavery
question into the Church. This is evident from
the fact that the average number of memorials
GU SUBJECT sent 10 tHc Assembly lot elEnl
or ten years has not been more than dozen. We
believe that nine,tenths of our membership desire
no further discussion of the queston-and that we
may now lay aside all apprehensions as to any
necessity for separation on our part.
If the Assembly should hereafter conclude that
the relation of master and servant, in any case is
an ofense we shall untedly dissolve our connec-
tion with that body. We shall not join any other
branch of the Church, that has Northern cOnnec
tion, and where we should be constantly liable to
the necessity of another separation. But we shall
form Southern organization. aud devote our en-
ergies to the great work of difusng the principles
of our common Christianity throughout the region
where God has cast our lots. AT present however
we repeat there is no necessity for pursuing such
a course, nor do we anticipate that it will ever
occur. God grant that may ever continue a
united Church with the Bible and the Constitution
us the bais of all our actions
To this document were appended thirty-one sig
natures representing Virginia, Mississippi, Miss
ouri, Kentucky. Tennessee. Among the names were
those of DR.. Boyd, Rev. G. ii. Read, Rev. w. L.
Holly, DR.. Ross, Rev. II, Woods, and W. Turly.
THE HERESY THE CuUR1H AppROVEc