True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-05-26
The DiVisive Question in the General
Conference of the NJ. P. Church, at
LynChburgh. Va,

The Lynchburg (Va.) Courier, of the
9Th instant, says: The proceedings of
The Conference yesterday evening were
invested with an interest and animation
not heretofore possessed. Cuhy got in
among the brethren and stirred up a
breeze. Il happened in this way
A memorial from a Convention Of
Northern and Western Conferences re-
Gently held at Cincinnati, Ohio, was
presented by Rev. w. Collier, President
of the Pittsburgh Conference. The paper
adverts 10 the prevailing sentiment in the
West respecting the question of slavery.
and asks the General Conference to rec
ommend 10 the several annual conferences
"a concurrent vote Of two.lhirds of which
isnecessary) the call Of a convention, with
the view Of framing new constitution,
more in conformity with the views of the
section referred lo-the Western Golfer.
ences meanwhile pIedgiDg themselves TO
await the action Of the other annual Con-
ferences on this subject.
This document came like a bomshell
in the Conference One fiery brother,
DR.. Whitfield, Of Va, moved that it be
laid on the table-characterised it as
reasonable, revolutionary, &c.
DIR. Armstrong, Of Tennessee, moved
that it be referred 10 a committee, and
counseIled conciiatory action. He was
succeeded by others, all favoring refer
ence, advocating union and harmony Z;
but at the same time deprecaling the
spirit Of the memorial.
During the discussion speeches and
explanations were made by Messrs. Col.
lier of Pittsburgh, Clancy Of Ohio, and
White of Ohio, the representatives oil
Northern sentiment on the floor. They
were cool and guarded in their remarks
but at the same time firm and decided
Mr.. Clancy stated in substance that the
Northern wing Of the church was unalter
} ably fixed in its purpose to secede from
the General Conference, unless the praye
Of the memorial was granted. The sen
tlment was almost unit, and the resolve
: was inhexible. 1t made no dfferenc,
whether the paper was laid on the tabl,
or referred, except SO far as courtesy wa
! concerned, unless the petition was to b.
, granted. He had nothing to say abou
slavery. His sentiments on that subjec
were we'll known; but that was not th
place or time 10 awow them. He ha,
always suspected himself of being some
!. what cOwardly, but lie felt no fear stand
ing here among his Southren brethren.-
Mr.C. was exceedingly calm and colecte,
J DR.. Collier, Ga very smart mani spolI
n of the almost universal prevalence Nortl
IS of the sentiment Of the memorial. Ha
personal knowledge of the fact Hs
seen the storm, and heard the thunder
af Of opinion in unmistakabls tones. W.
" himself harmonizer, and had preache
!" harmony. Called on DR.. Whitfield {
y withdraw certain offensive expression
u ~ which he did. Counseled kind and CO..
- :; ciIiatory action on the part of the COME
10 euce, that he might go home and say OF
y Southern brothers respect our petition
~ they love US, and thus endeavor to brir
" " about harmony. Hoped they would stal
ie m united forever. We give the merest OF
III line Of his remarks. @ . @
~. ~ The motion to refer finally prevaile
~ ~ with only two dissenting voices. II
T,1 T debate was one of great warmth a
a. .. interest, and was listened to attentive
III III by large assemblage ofSpectatOrs. I
-, =; subject will come up again when I
-. - committee report on the memorial.