The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-10-27

have taken the honor Of Washington in this matter
der his special care and lInents the loss TO Of the
laures Of last August may be about 70 be gatfed "a hs
solcitous for the glory Of the II h.
after all, right here that the deed Is 10 be done
Well sir, II il must be done, and done now, here
ready to record my vote against IT, and by that vote
stand OF fall
Your action is revolutionary you make nothing
else, of ii it is unconstitutional. Every man OF us
knows it there is not line syllable in the const
tuition to support this movement WE'LL now, If you
ready BRETHREN TO go into the revolution and take the
consequences why then, go l. for one, am not yet
prepared do not mean by this to say that commit
myself TO this that the other eony for the
present stand here where God in His providence leaves
me, until clearly my way to act Yes, sir, this
is revolution. Strange that talk in one breath of
their attachment TO the Union and in the next are ready
to proclaim the rending Of the church
But you say we were exscinded deny it. II is not
Every here knows it is not The public mind
fear has been much mised you exscnded neither
in form in purpose there is no such thing in the
record
Well, then, we were virtually exscinded This is
sense. Excelsior is judicial act if it have not the in
tent the expression Of cutting off, then there is no
exscision cut off by inference lit is absurdity
truly one of DIR. Ross 3. stultifed distractions.
Well, then, we were degraded by what process did
they degrade your Why, you went there and said one
thing about slavery and they chose To differ and said
the opposite each claiming the truth and differing from
the other. Which most degraded You or they Is
the truth degradation Why, according to Dr. Ross
the southern light had only just begun to shine, and
now forsooth when we just had it all in hands
we must fee away, to avoid the degradation.
Yes but could not stand the agitation Indeed
we could not, and concluded to agtate little
more because DR. Ross ii good and to be desired
and adopted agitation TO prevent agitation on this mo-
menous question. Yes you got tired OF agitation at
Cleveland, and now you have come here to agtate US
and to stir up strife perhaps while before have
had peace. l thought when | came TO Washington
should be the ground of the Union and of the whole
church. and under the broad agis of national Capitol
bnlh 6rdra fha farce an1h
stres that have wasted and wasting the very
lifebood of confedeacy; but at length am here
hunted out and compelled by southern men too to pro-
nounce choice. la..s 3H5
Well sir for the present let me say that not yet
ready attach myself to sectional pro slavery religious
body Such, do fear will benny destination if sail with
you. know brethren may explain and modify and try
to make it appear that they going to sail in national
boat but sir practically it must be sectional and
slavery Whatever its expressed purpose that will be
its impression and effect in the eyes of the whole world
Well sir cannot afford to be sectional in the metropo
lis of the country We have been told in substance that
would be allowed topreach the Gospel the soil of
the State of Virginia who known to be in connection
with the Cleveland assembly Now, sir, hope this is
not true and If it is not ought to assume to
send forth such declaration for it is reproachul to-
wards the State and If true then the condition of
things in that State is in my judgment absolutely APP
palling But if it be SO in Virginia for the pres
cnt another soil and let remember that ut
present in the capital of the naona spot that ought to
be held dear to every American heart-a place where
are to know North, South, East no West, and
to which oil who visit this District with patriotic views
ought to be welcome without distinction of section
partya common home for countrymen and one that
ought to be disturbed by partisan strife to be
devoted to sectional institutions. Our churches
posed of people from all parts OF wide country with
various views and opinions This has BEEN is now, and
will continue to be- the character OF metropolitan
population Oh sir, cannot afford to be sectional
l sectionalist md sefappointed defender Of
this that the other particular institution OF the social
system; and cannot go into anything of this kind,
shall prove to be the nature of the organization that
! is in future to be formed.
/ But sir the action urged lis premature. Men
have talked of building ship--they have laid the keel
at Richmondthey will work at it this winter and next
spring at Knoxville make the launch In the mean time,
sir what tmbers going into her we cannot tell But
brethren step of present boat and
swim about till they have completed the ship at Knox
vlle and then, because thore will be other craft along
side they expect to step board, motes pos Now,
sir, do such thing. want to wait and see the
rig. want to wait and what planSs spiked up
around her for if there be such plank the
luton adopted at Richmond concerning the subjects Of
discipline, then can never endorse itnever never
heard stronger principle, understand What! the
confession of faith actually contain many express
terms and literal Identification the whole catalogue Of
human crimes 1t must be indeed remarkable volume.
But will not discuss the point here say to DR. Boyd
| If find nothing more profitable to do, think
here Is difference between us, and ready to discuss
| it with him as long he likes.
Now then, for these and others might give.
| opposed 10 tnS actlOn tnlS agitation At the
present time respect the conscences and views of
brethren They involved in relations with slavery
NEEDLE not with them this account-to their own
master must they stand or fall But for myself when
think of the momentous responsibilities of holding hui
man being my servant and training up that being for
future and everlasting issues thank God that there has
been imposed upon such responsibility Now, sir,
have thrown out these convictions in most desultory
and unprecedented manner, and not as would have
| done had expected to go into a full discussion do
not know and cannot say what my future action will
be upon this subject but at the present Ihad rather
nger where God in His providence has left than
dertake to strike out course for myself
chared sea- and toward invisible harbor utterly
unknown. say sir, am not, for one prepared to take
this STEP and, whatever may be the cost will
take 1t till am prepared.
DIR. Boyd, in reply to DR.. Sunderland, remarked that
he had idea Of asking the attention of the synod
again until DR. Sunderland had referred somewhat par
tcuarly to the platform of the Richmond convention
The question before this body is simply this Shall
withdraw as synod from the Cleveland assembly OF
shall continue adherence to that assembly which
South have declared to be abolition in their character
did not suppose there member of this body who
would favor an adherence to the Cleveland assembly.
That assembly has taken the position that those who hod
slaves from principle that is, conscientiously mer-
tied the condemnation Of the highest judcatory of the
church; and further, that the sentiment that hold
slaves from principle cannot be tolerated in the Presby
terrain church According the judgment of the general
assembly every slaveholdng member of the church in
this city, and in every southern State is liable to the dis
cipline of the church for sustaining this relation.
Now, ask can it be possible that any in the
South will remain in connexion with assembly which