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

a., 81, I,no hast the committee ON the minutes Of
Ia general assembly at Cleveland submitted re-
mort which we published in issue of Saturday morn
ing The question being upon the adoption OF that re-
mort the views of the different members were freely e1
dressed before the final vote was taken Suboned are
ibe views of Reys Messn. Haskell, Sunderland, Boyd,
Dunning, and Carothers
Rev T. NJ Haskell declared his inability to vote IN
favor of the report OF tho committee lie spoke neey
and presented the following points which We condense 10
suit columns:
First, the opinions formed in his youth under those
who had cheered him in his destitute orphanage that
he had formed among those who under God mad brought
him into the fold of Christ that he had formed among
those who had encouraged him in his education for the
ministry that he had formed in accordance with the
mode Of thinking Of bis snted father, who had his con-
neron with the general assembly from which 1t Is pro-
posed now to secede These opinions were decidedly
against the course pursued by the committee
secondly he was unable to vote in favor Of the report
from the decy of his position as collector OF funds
given by northern brethren for the erection OF church
10 be OF the New School Presbyterian denominations and
should he take part In secession from that body espe
cy on the grounds presented he would be liable to the
charge Of transportation OF those funds Funds had
been given in all parts of the country but chiefly In the
North among those who had educated him in the opin-
ions held in the general assembly from which they pro-
nosd TO separate and he felt bound by due Difference
70 his reputation tnancier to his standing man
OF honor and to his character Christian minister to
withhold his vote from that report
Mr. Haskell then stated that his vote in favor OF that
report would not only condemn the resolutions OF the
general assembly, but would endorse the course OF he
Richmond convention and the doctrines there expressed
and in order to show what those doctrines We're ne
the following extract from letter TO the Christian OBJ
server of June H. 1857, over the signature OF Rev. Dr.
Ross
..The southern delegates took the position rasse
that American slavery sanctioned by the Bible and
brought the battle standup fight on this ground
e. the southern delegates without fnchng, said TO the
North you take our ground, past contradictory
Notwithstanding, you SHALL deny it, and eSscind us
from holding it in direct way so as to make II I'M
possible for us to meet you again in general assembly
This NOBLE stand Of the South in Cleveland reveals the
future. =
This doctrine he could not he would not endorse and
this action Of the southern delegates he could notapprove
and he felt from his nmost heart that to vote in favor OF
the report was endorse that doctrine and approve the
general and sentiments Of the most extreme south
ern He wished to pursue the original design which
he adopted at the OF his ministry In wash
ington But in the event of the adoption of this
port his designs good which have thus far stimulated
him to action would be in measure frustrated II he
went with the synod in this secession he would be forced
to give up his conscientious opinions and adopt those
he believed to be radically wrong Entertaining this be-
lief he must oppose this report, though the conse
qences of this stand might be to separate him from his
connexon with the synod from his presbytery even from
his church and congregation whom he dearly loved and
to make serious nroas the comfort of his family but
and leave the result to that God to whom every
science makes its final appeal and if this report were
adopted he might avail himself of constitutional righ
present in writing his solemn protest to the action
the synod which stands out before the world seces
sion in behalf system which he believed in his inmos
soul to be intrinsically wrong.
Dr. Sunderland arose and said
Mr. Moderator do not rise to debate this question
have Sad from the beginning it would change no man
mind materially modify the final result have al
day long deplored the introduction of the subject ant
prayed to be delivered from this controversy. Man,
things as have sat here and watched this discussion
have grated harshly my and sunken sadly on my
heart Brethren have brought this matter here anc
urged it upon us without wish, our choice, or ou
consent They determined 70 compel us to decs
ion whether will not They call upon us to speak
out to let them hear where stand and, not satisfied
with this they have intmated over and over again. thai
our peope-the churches of Washington not beer
fairly represented and that, if they were permitted t
lift their voice. should have altogether different
and more positive testimony Now sir when this is sale
in the hearing of my own people, many of whom have
been here eagerly listening to all the representations ant
of necessity receiving the impressions sought to be made
npon this floor cannot remain wholly silent and be true
to myself or them will be brief but there thing
to which must reply leaving the merits OF the ques
ton in its length and BREADTH to be discussed on some
future OCCASION when can spend my time and strength
in better way for say to those brethren each aro
ALL whether here elsewhere that it should be founc
that there differences of opinion between us, when
those differences may be clearly defined and ascer
tanned, then will not shrink from debating them t
their hearts content. not afraid or ashamed u
to defend my sentiments anywhere and every
where when necessity compels to speak, as now DO
purely In self-defence.
Now sir in reference to these limitations concerning
the people of Washington have to say to those Of my
own church who are present here tonight that when
my church shall call me to account for any ac
sentiment of mine shall be ready to respond with
out reservation and In all honesty and kindness ant
when they have heard they will Judge and decide
be worthy unworthy of their confidence and coopera
ton Sir my people competent to define their OWL
position and to express their wishes and when,
any event. they shall indicate that my Stewardship
among them Is no longer desired, however costly thu
sacrifice shall promptly acquesce in their decision
/ ought to say much, sir to put myself right with
those who may be present from the particular congrega
ton Of which have the charge.
Again. SIR we have heard of that northern conscience
which IA formed from the innate instincts of man faer
nature and of that southern conscience enlightened anc
informed by tbs word of God hold this to be inyid
ious. Though by birth and education from the
NORTH yet am not insensible to the and i'm
projections of the North. have deplored many things
the North ultra and fanatcal, and have commended
with all my strength against themon one occasion, al
have been informed at the peril of my life But not
withstanding all this, when invidious comparison o
northern and southern conscience is sought to be made
shall take the liberty 70 stand up and say that in my be
lief there is to the full much Bible conscience at thu
North in the South, apd for the proof OF this appea
to facset the record tell cannot now enter into de
tail but am sure il is the truth II will be all idle fo
DR. Ross, or anybody else, to attempt to convince TIN
whole civilized and Christian world to the contrary.
So, too, sir, we have heard the taunt of abotonisn
thrown out here over and over again, though ever,
man. for any satisfactory TO himself canno
his way clear. To go the whole length With thcs
brethren at Leap is to be branded with this name
l,AfAh aG n.,ft, I'M