Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-05-21
dbeG1ee Nxeas
ANNIVERSARY OFTHE AMERICAN
TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK
BURLINGTON:
FRIDAY MORNING, MAY 81, 1858

ANNIVERSARY OFTHE AMERICAN
TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK.
The accounts ofthe Anniversary Meeting of
the American Tract Society of New York,
held on the 10Th inst, remind one of the
stormy political gatherings fTammany Hall
We are sure that no such meeting was ever
before held by Society whose object is of a
religious and moral character We presume
no one acquainted with the subject could
have had much doubt that from the City of
New York and its vicinity, II majority would
be gathered who would vote in substance, to
approve the doings of the officers of the So
cicty, the past year, and to re-clect the same
Board. But we doubt whether any body
expected to witness such noisy and disor
derly attempt to stiAe fair discussion of the
points at issue, except those who were en-
gagged in carrying it into effect. The at
tempt to choke down discussion was not
wholly successful however, and some of
those who were ready to uphold the doings
of the Committee the past year, appeared to
nave uNtl llDllcSJ 10 CHECK the over
bearing conduct of the multitude who con-
stituted the ma. ority. In brief, the doings
of the Committee, advers, to the resolutions
adopted by the Society at the last anniversary
were sustained by an overpowering majority,
old and the officers were reelected.
We condense from reports in the n. Y
papers the following account of the
meeting, (which was thronged one.
After it was organized and opened in the
usual manner, long Report was read on
the part of the Executive Committee,
embodying their late Circular. which set
forth their reasons for not doing what was
contemplated in the resolutions adopted at
the anniversary meeting of 1857. Rev. DR..
Magic, one OF the Ex Com, then spoke at
some length in the way of enforcing the
views of the Committee.
Bishop Mcllvaine, of Ohio, moved the adop-
tion of the report, and justified at length the
course which the Committee had taken, as
reported by them. He thought the negative
action of the Committee did not commit any
one, either for or against Slavery. He depre-
Gated any action which should lead to a
| dismcmberment of the Society.
Rev. Dr. Tying spoke of his long attach
ment to the Society and deep interest in its
work. He was absent from the country when
the anniversary of 1857 took place but the
resolution then adopted, with such surprising
unanmity, met the approval of his own judg
ment fully. No action of subordinate
agency could invalidate that action of the
Society. Nevertheless, he did not find
fault with the Committee of the Society,
because. under the difficulties of the sub
ject, they had not been able to carry out
that action as soon as was looked for.
They wanted more time for consideration.
before they could see their way clear. The
Society would not unreasonably demand hasty
action He would like to have DR.. McIlvaine's
resolution of approval modified as follows:
Whereas, At the annual meeting of the Society of
1851, the following resolution was unanimously
adopted
Resolrcd That the political aspect of Slavery
does not lie in the proper sphere of the Society,
and cannot be discussed in its publications, but
| that the moral duties which grow out of the exist
enoe Of Slavery, well as the moral vices which it
| is known to promote, and which condemned in
! Scripture, undoubtedly do fall within the province
of this Society, and can and ought to be discussed
| in fraternal manner: Therefore
RcsoIucd, That the said resolution be and hereby
| is affirmed and that the Executive Committee now
to be elected be instructed to carry the same into
| effect.
Considerable confusion, and disagreement
as to what was an orderly way of proceed
ing followed. Finally DR.. Tying moved his
preamble and resolution as substitute for
that offered by DR.. Nc Ilvaine. The motion
/ of DR.. Tying was lost by a very large majority
The question on the adoption of DR.. Nell
vane's motion recurred.
Judge Jessup essayed to speak but call for
tho previous question and great confusion fol
lowed After while quiet was restored, and
Judge Jessup offered as an amendment the
4th resolution of last year. involved in DR..
Tyng's first resoution) with the following
addition.
And wheeas, The precise meaning and intention
| of the Society in the provisions of the said
resolutions is deemed doubtful by the Executive
| Committee and others,
Resolred, That the said resolution be re-afirmed,
| and that the Committee now TO be elected be in
structed to carry it into effect.
lnterlocutory remarks from several follow
ed, and then came confusion and cries for
question. After while Judge Jessup had
opportunity to speak to his motion. He said
in conclusion that he was willing to vote for
the report if the amendment was accepted
Confusion and cries for the previous question
followed Remarks were made by DR.. Be-
thune, DR.. Thompson and DR.. Bacon.
The Rev. DR.. Bacon, of New Haven, spoke
adversely to the adoption of the report.
which was now before the house. lie believed
that the separation of man and wife, the
bigamy and other denominations sanctioned
by slavery, were offences not alone against
reformatory morality, but against common
universal morality, 1t must not be
considered that the decision of this meet
ing by its tumultuous cries was to end
the discussion on this great subject.
For himself, he was both life member and
a life director, and he should stand up against
the wrong, and he trusted his children would
do so after him, il. the wrong should out livn
him.
Rev. Dr. Bethune spoke at length,
He was opposed to the circulation
of tracts upon Slavery. If the adultery
of the South was complained of, why not
publish tracts against adultery, and let sla-