Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1858-05-21
n1citinE MeetinE fthe Amerlean rract

Society. ~ ass4
The New York papers are filled with
accounts Of the proceedings Of the annual
meeting Of the American Tract Society.
which met in that city on Wednesday. in
The Reformed Duth Church. Lafayette
Place. About two thousand persons. from
various sections Of the Uuion, were ad-
nitted by ticket, showing the great i'm
tereit taken in the question as issue
whether or not the executive committee
Gsre justified in suppressing or suspen
ding. the publication Of the tract 1.-The
Duties OF Masters" alleged to have been
offensive to the people OF the South. es>
pecially slave-hulders. The publication
Of this tract was commenced under a res
olution adopted atthe last annual meeting
looking TO the discussion of the moral as-
pect OF slavery. Soon after the opening
OF the mseting-over which Chief JAstice
Williams, of Conn, presided. Rev. DR..
Adams made report justifying tho ,ex.
scutive committee.
The Rev. DR.. Magee made a few re-
marks: Two truths were plain TO the
committee, and these considerations had
governed them. Had they published the
tract to which reference has been made,
thew would have dismembered the socie-
". That WAS one conclusion al which
they had arrived, and the evidence upon
which il was based was not. and could
not DO. SO we'll appreciated by those who
had not their opportunity Of Judging it,
They did fully believe it. Another was,
that large majority Of the friends OF the
society were moi preparedto adopt course
4e1A kkn. A tnriInR and
equally plain consideration was that it was
useless to publish tract addressed to
masters which would have but small cir
eula.ion- in the South among those to
whom it was addressed. and which in the
North was not needed. They had deci
ded not TO mix the American Tract Sooie
~ with the great exciting question. This
was their simple decision. .
The matter was now before them, and
in judging i: he hoped they had sought
the grace OF God: and would act under
his guidance. Great interests were Al
stake. Should they adopt course which
would separate them from fifteen States
ami ten millions people. field where
their labols were most called for? Such
we're The views Of the committee. His.
ses and applause.
The president hoped there would be no
demonstrations Of approval or dissent. as
this WAS not political meeting.
Bishop Mclllvaine moved that the &C.
ton of the committee DO sustained, and
made long speech.
Prof. Crosby read from tract, entitled
'sombo and Tuby,' in which slaves are
eouuseled not TO go from plantation to
plantation. and to obey their masters. and
asked if the society published it.
Amid much confusion and cries OF 'or>
derg DIR. VIM, Adams said the tract was
published twenty years ago.
Dr.. Tying mpted to get the floor.
amid cries of 'order' DIR. Tying Let
'em answer the question! DC.
Order being restored, DR., Tying spoke
in favor:.of the resolution Of the society
which admitted the discussion Of the NOR
al aspects Of slavery to be legitma'e
subject for the society to discuss. and mo-
we'd 10 lay Bishop Mc1IEalns's motion on
the table. in order that a resolution re af>
frm:ng that position be affirmed.
DR.. Tyng's motion was voted upon vi
vG.voce and the chairman said it was lost
A division was called for, rnd the affirm
AtiTe WAS counted; but when the negative
arose it so largely preponderated that g
count Was deemed unnecessary.
Much excitement prevailed. Some cal
led for count; others declared that the
motion was lost ten to one, and the mem
bsrl, Of, the, committee displayed many
symptoms Of delight.
There was long delay and great con-
fusion. A partial count was made: bu
order was finally so far restored tha
Judge Jessup attempted to move ar
Anendmentto Bishop McIllvaines motion
but was interrupted by loud calls for the
pfeSinn question in all parts Of the house
and another scene If tumult followed
Several of the majority declared that i
WaG NOT fair to choke off discussion.
Judge Jessup read his amendment. re-
affirming the resolution of last year. which
Was declared to be unanimous.
DE-. Bethuns protested thatit was no
unanim us. He was requested to say fol
DE- Sprin., that he did not vote for it. ant
he (BSIhune) did not.
Doctor Thompson-Did either of yor
vote against it?
Bethune-No. Laughter
Thompson.-Thent there Was no vot.
against it and it was unanimous.
DR.. Betbune said that. at the meeting
last year. he was asked By Dr.. Thompson
to second the resolution, but refused L
do it. He thought that anything coming
from the chief editor of the Independent
was to be regarded with suspicion. anc
not likely to meet his approval.
Laughter, Kisses. cries Of 'Orderl' anc
general confusion followed. Judge JtssuI
at last got the floor. and said it was vair
for gentlemen to say that the action Of tn.
society last year was not unanimous