Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-05-20

| SLAVERY IN THE METHODIST GENERAL CONFERENCE.
The subject of slavery was introduced into the
General Conference of the Methodist Church, in
session at Lynchburg, Va, Friday evening. This
Conference is composed of members from the North
and South and has connection with the Southern
Methodist Church, which includes almost the whole
of that persuasion south Of the Potomac. A memo
rial from a Convention of Northern and Western
Conferences, recently held at Springfield, Ohio, was
presented by Rev. W. Collier, President Of the
Pittsburg Conference. The paper advers to the
prevailing sentiment III the West respecting the
question of slavery, and asks the General Confer
ence TO recommend to the several Annual Confer
ences Ia concurrent vote of tWo-thiTds of which is
necessary the call of convention, with the view
of framing a new constitution more in conformity
withythe views of the section referred to-the West
ern Conferences meanwhile pledgiDg themselves to
await the action of the other Annual Conferences
on this SUBJECT The Lynohburg Courier Says;
This document came like bomb-shell in the Con-
ference One fiery brother, DIR. Whitfield, of Vir-
ginis moved that il be laid on the table-chsrscter
led it as reasonable, revolutionary. sc.
Dr. Armstrong, of Tennessee, moved that it be
referred to the Committee, and oounseled concilia
tory action He was succeeded by Messrs. Murray,
Walker, Warden, HOlcOmbe Norton, kidWeL, Claw
son and others, whose names we have forgotten,
having taken no notes-all faVorng reference, adj
vocating union and harmony, but at the same time
deprecating the spirit of the memorial
During the discussion, speeches and explanations
were made by Messrs. Collier, of PittsbuIg Clancy
of Indiana. and White Of OhiO-the representatives.
of Northern sentiment on the floor. They were
cool and guarded il their remarks, but at the same
time firm and decided. Mr.. Clancy stated, IN sub
stance. that the Northern wing Of the church was
unalterably fixed in its purpose to seoede from the
General Conference, unless the prayer OF thememo-
rial was granted. The sentiment was almost sn
unit and the resolve was inhexible. 1t made no
difference whether the paper was laid On the table
or referred Except far courtesy was eonoerned)
unless the petition was to be granted.
He had nothing to say about slavery. His senu-
ments on that subject were well known, but that
was not the place or the time TO avoW them. de
had always suspected himself of being somewhat
coward-but he felt no fesr, standing here among
his Southern brethren. Mr.. c. was exceedingly
calm and collected. Dr.. Collier Ia very smart mani
spoke Of the almost universal prevalence North Of
the sentiment of the memorial Had personal
knowledge of the fact Had seen the storm and
heard the thundeTs OfOpiniOn in unmistakabe tones
Was himself a harmOnzer, and had preached har-
monv. Called on DR.. Whitfield to withdraw certain
offensive expressions (which he did, Counselled
kind and concatOry action on the part Of the Con-
ference; that he might go home and say our South
ern brothers respect our petitOns-they love US and
thus sDdesvor to bring about harmony. Hoped they
would stand united forever. We give the merest
outline Of his remarks.
The motion to refer finally prevailed, with only
two dissenting voices. The debate was one OF great
warmth and interest, and WRs listened to sttentively
by large assemblsge of spectators. The subject
will come upon again when the committee report on
memorials