The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-12


abusing it.
TIE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY ON THE ARR
CAN SLAVE TRADE-A GREAT EXCITEMENT ANDA
GREAT VICroRY.-Read our reporters report Of
the lively proceedings of the American Tract
Society yesterday on the subject Of the African
slave trade. But these proceedings to the uaini-
tiated reader may still require word of ex-
PLANTATION. First, then be it understood, that
the receipts of this society amount, in round
numbers to the snug sum of about four hundred
thousand dollars year; that the distribution Of
thiu comfortable sum is in the hands of solid
majority of the society, known as the Gins" aud
that the minority known as the "outs' desire TO
have finger in the pie. The ''ins' are "souud
on the goose question:" and act upon the sound
policy of letting Southern slavery alone. They
are thus enabled to occupy the whole broad field
of the Southern States with their "colporteurs,"
or paid distributors of tracts and other agents.
The "outs" think this great waste of money;
and are, therefore, DESTROYS Of split on the ne
gro question, whereby these funds may be more
judiciously appropriated nearer home. And so,
for some years past, the "outs" have been labor
ing, by various devices, to force the society to
the publication of tract or two on the evils Of
slavery, which will cut Off the Southern States,
treasurers colporteurs, &c, from the benefits Of
the societys funds chiefly collected in the North.
But the Northern Gins" co operating with the
Southern Gins" Of the society, have thus far con-
trived to fight off the bigger in every shape, ex-
cept the African slave trade. That issue, there
fore, was sprung upon them yesterday, and the
sequel will show that even here the "ns' remain
masters of the field. Various motions ordering
the publication of tract on the 'Sin of the Afri
can Slave Trade were strangled without much
ceremony, and then to prevent too violent mig
construction upon the subject, on motion of the
Rev. DR.. Spring, the following saving resolution
was adopted, to witt
Resolved That in laying the preceding resolutions
from any doubt in relation 10 the Of the African
trade or the great wickedness of revvng that nqato
system in any form.
In other words, the society wish it to DO dis
tnctly understood that they consider the African
slave trade "a great wickedness' in auy form;
but they decline to publish tract Oh the sub
ject But why For very good reasons. First
Such publication by the society would shut
the doors of the South in the face of the society
Secondly -This proceeding would cut off the
Southern receivers of the funds of the society,
agents, colporteurs, &C., from the spoils.
Thirdly-The colporteurs caught with the pub
LEGATION indicated in their carpetbags, in any
Southern State, would be in danger of some uc-
pleasant introduction to Judge Lynch; and
lastly, the Northern ias" of the society would
be supplanted by the "outs," and reduced to
the doubtful experiment of an independent
conservative Southern tract society.
The conservative ms" are entitled to greet
praise for the skill with which they have in this
last battle managed to hold the fold but in
another year or two this society must 60 the
way of the Methodist church, and the Baptist
church. and the Presbyterian church. The Mig
ger issue having been introduced into its coun-
ellis, the inevitable result, sooner or later, must
be a split of the concern into Northern aud q
Southern Tract Society, and the heavy annual
amount Of the spoils and plunder-four hundred
thousand year-will only operate 10 hurry up the
final explosion. Our blessed Saviour sent out his
disciples without money, and they did their work
faithfully; but our modern Christian societies,
with few exceptions act upon the same fdnda-
mental principle that governs our scurvy politi-
elans--to wit: the cohesive power Of the pub
Lie plumber" The Tract Society, upon this
great f4mciple, still holds together; but the
examples of our Protestant churches and Of
Tammany Hall tell us plainly enough that there
is an explosive (camphene) as we'll as cohesive
power in the spoils; and that religious or poll
teal, quarrel over the spells commenced ON
tho p;ooor or INV other rretnxt nuat end IL q
split and new division Of the plumber, or 10 |"
general row.
ONE HouR IN THE "PrLLoRy."-Thc Crcu sn