Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1859-05-28
The Position d the Amerieaa Tract society.

iuent religious, 9eneVolent ana reloiHldtoiy
Of lie day bold meetings in
New York City to elect their officers, hear
reports Of the work Of the past year,to dis
cuss and concert the means best adapted
to accomplish the several ends at which
they aim. One of the most important Of
these organisations, both in the extent of
its operations and the amount Of money
expended-is the American Tract Society
and for the last two or three years, It's po-
sition on the Slavery question has attr act
ed to its annual meetings special attention
It wa organized about 1925 and its object
was to furnish cheaply an elevated, sound
religious but non-sectarian literature; to
supply the destitute with religious instroc-
lion to rebuke vice, and to stimulate men
TO a right life and to keep conscience
/, old Of offence toward God and man.
Numerous beautiful and valuable vol
umes have been published BY the Society,
thousands of those excellent papers the
american Messenger and tie Childs Pa
per, circulated, and millions Of pages OF
tracts been scattered through the country,
exhorting to all Christian duties, and Sc
verely denouncing Popery, profanity, Sab
bath breaking, gambling, lying, intemper-
ance; condemning such things as dane
ing, games Of chance, noyel-reading, to-
bacco-chewing, play-going and the like, as
10 the morality of which there are differ
ences of opinion among protesting Chris
tians. Any allusion however to the 81
gantic crime Of Slavery, with all the brood
Of vices connected with it, has been care
fully avoided in the publications Of the
Society, on the plea that it was political
question, one upon which it would be dill
cult to publish anything calculated to re-
ceiye the al probation Of all Evangelical
Christians" which was held to be essential
and because, as there were societies, max
ing this subject theirTspecial object Of e.
fort, il was unnecessary, and would only
serve to embitter the patrons Of the Socie-
ty in the South and perhaps exclude from
,hat section the Society's laborers and pub
locations.
There wefe not wanting howe YET those
who insisted that it was tie duty Of the
Society to testify against and rebuke this
sin equally with others, and as the sdYo-
Gates of slavery so generally began to main
tain lis entire Righteousness, and to seek
Its extension, the public conscience was
SO aroused that in 1856 the subject with
that of the general management of the
Society was referred TO a committee Of fiji
teen 10 accordance with whose report, in
1857, resolution was unanimously adopt
ed declaring the right and duty Of the So
ciety to publish the moral duties grow
ng out Of the existence Of slavery an the
evils and vices which it promotes. A
document was prepared on this subject,
nd in press composed chiefly Of the
writings of southern men, a judicious and
treatise. But there soon
,eean to be heard murmurs from the
South against any interference with their
management Of the peculiar institution"
and by sh's clamor the publishing commit
Lee were induced to suppress any publica
ton on the subject. BY circulars scatter
ed through the country, and in report
to the society at its meeting in 1853
they apologized for and justified their
course.
Although their action had been most
severely condemned in various quarters,
their disregard and defiance Of the instruc-
lions Of the society was endorsed after al
most exciting debate.
AT the meeting this Spring she subject
was brought up again. Mr.. JoHS JAY offer
ing resolution reaairming that Of 1857
and directing the publication Of tracts on
the evils and vices promoted by Slavery
&c. After one or two speeches against 1t,
the gag law was applied, all argument in
its favor cut off by whistlings, Kisses and
all sorts Of uproar aud the resolution was
laid on the table. But this was not en-
ough Of disgrace for this body Of protested
~ Christian men 10 heap upon themselves
aud the society they represented, not en-
ough Of trucking cowardiee. A resolution
setting forth the wickedness aud inhu-
manity Of the African Slave Trade, refer
ring t. the indications that this trade, with
all its horrors, was about TO be revived
and asserting that as the only etfectual
barrier 10 this trade, was the moral sense
of Christendom, it was the duty Of the