The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-10-01
rom me New ork Commercial AdveTtlser, Sept.
THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY.

Very seldom have we performed a more IN
gracious task than that devolving upon US to-
day, in connection with a document sent US for
publication by certain committees of the Amer
lean Tract Society. Ii is entitled Recent Ac.
ton of the Committee of the American Tract
Society on Slavery" and will be found in an
other column. We are the more embarrassed
In stating our views respecting this very i'm.
portant pronunciamento, because of the high
responsibility Of the gentlemen whose. names
are attached to it, and because the three acting
committees of the Society appear TO have been
unanimous with respect to the wisdom and the
justice OF the course adopted. Every reader of
the commercial knows that this journal has
been no party to the attacks recently made
upon the American Tract Society; that we
have thrown such influence as we possess in its
support against any attempts to convert it into
an Abolition or Anti Slavery Society; that we
have earnestly advocated moderation and for
oearanee, and, on the part Of the Society. an
adherence to Its long-estabished rule in refer
ence to the agitating question of Slavery. in r.
der that 1t might fulfil the great and benign oh
Ject of Its institution, the spreading of Script :
raj Christianity throughout the whole county
These views, often expressed, we still heartily
entertain.
Nor need We inform our readers of the aspect
which the controversy between the American
Tract Society and It's assailants had assumed
on the eve of its anniversary meeting in this
city In May last. A serious disruption w.s
threatened. To avert it, certain resolutions
were offered BY committee appointed to con.
slider the matter in controversy, which commit
tee was composed Of gentlemen of high probis
and of welltried attachment to the Society.
The resolutions professed to be based upon
mutual concession; and though we with mary
others thought that the concession was far le5s
mutual than 1t professed to be, we heartng
concurred in the adopted compromise, hoping
that if it did nothing more, it would allay or
arrest agitation, and so prepare the way for A
more clear and permanent definition of t.
Society's duties, under the circumstances which
had arisen. We must add, too-beeause, in
this matter, we are constrained to take issue
with the committees present statement-that
such concurrence in the so-cslled compromise
was mainly prompted by the understanding,
believed at the time to be clear and distinct,
that the Society, while restricted from saying
anything about the right or wrong, moral OF
political, OF the institution of Slavery. was en-
powered and required to inculcate the more
duties and rebuke the immoral practices inc
dent to the relation of masters and slaves.
And that this is the duly of the America ).
Tract Society, or of any kindred institution. :.
SO obvious, that one marvels that it could be
come matter of doubt or question for dis
cussion. But still more surprising is it, tbss
the signers of the manifesto under notice coui !.
have put any other Interpretation upon the req
olutions adopted at the last anniversary, G.
have conceived that any amount of oppositio.-
or of dstaste for such teaching, would iustifs
them in swerying from that line of action. Al
here we must enter our protest against the " r.
cent action " of the committee OF the America
Tract Society On Slavery. We do it respece
fully; we do it regrettingly, and only from ;
sense of duty The committees say the
confidence was expressed that the executiY,