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

the report aud annual busness at least that sham
itea be accepted by the society which cannot be
done II we adjourn without day.
Rev Mr. CLARK said the society took recess smp'v
10 enable the directors to transact their buuiuess part
of which the election OF this Executive Committee
Were they 10 understand that that their only bust
pess2 What was the meaning Of the word directors ?
They 10 direct In any matter that might como for
ward and were not merely machines TO together
what called recess, solely to 60 through the form Of
electing officers.
MEMBER-I rise to point of order wha. is the
Mr.. CIARK-The question is that the directors are still
in session. daughter, and cries of " no! nOp)
The PREsDEN1-I did declare that the business of the
directors was through, and the society Ia order.
VoIcE-The society has not been called to order.
The PREsIDKST-They were here and did not think IL
Necessary was distinctly announced that the session
OF the directors was at an end
Mr. wAIcoT then obtained the floor TO offer his resou-
ton BE said 90 not offer the motion in any factious
spirit but IN the spirit Of tie Gospel, and with sincere
desire 10 promote the divine glory. There is an honest
difference Of opinion and sentiment in this society and
welcome the remark Of the venerable father in the mnis
try that he is in favor of candid expression of opinion
do not wish TO than two three minutes
in presenting distinctly TO the society the resolution have
before offered. conccde TO every member OF the Pub
shing Committee rrevocabe Veto and that he has
only the right, but is bound to exercise that when
bis conscience requires. (Cres Of "Order ORDERLY
delegate here inquired what had become Of the
ton to sojourn
Mr.. wAIoorT then read the same resolution which he
had previously offered and which had been laid the
table and proceeded 70 advocate It's adoption follows
There nohing eoerclve in this resolution II Is not in
the form OF Instructions II recognizes the right Of dis
crmnaton Then is asked II ths resolution IS not OF
ing iu Perhaps the Publishing Committee would desire to
meet the wishes OF their cons.itueDsand may remark
that the stream cannot rise higher than its foun-
tain. There may be tracts offered to which mem
bers will say they have objection, but will
be governed by the single consideration OF whether
"
has beer expression OF opinion tina. subject will
AID thcm therefore, the motion is Legitimate aud l
think the gentleman in the rear Of the chair (Mr Lord)
will see s proprety expression OF opinion by the
society. conceive II Is the duty Of the society to ex.
that not interfere with their judgment That gentle
overlooked the important point that In deciding upon
tracts they must be so framed to the approval
OF all evangelical Christians IN the land. Aud who will
deny that tract the slave trade may be Of this cha
racter With reference TO the possibility OF circulating
these tracts The resolution leaves il TO them to decide he
said it question Of fact, and yet must relate
fact bearing upon the point little tract con-
tanning Bible teachings against oppression was offered to
10 issue II, because could not be circulated
In the South. 1t was published by tho Boston Tract
Society, end the first thousand copies were
States. (Cheers) The members Of this committee there
fore are not inalbe men, and they liable TO
takes certainly seglimate for this society," If 1t have
opinion Of its own, TO express 1t frankly and plainly
referred to Mr. Websters address ct Plymouth only
the sake of calling attention 10 his testimony forty
years ago Never did he utter truthful warning
true not only with reference to the trade but to
pulpit than when he sad"If the pulpit be silent when
ever and wherever there may be sinner stained with
SIN WITHIN nearing OF I'D voice. tue pulpit is false TO Its
trust" That is not true of the pulpit than of the
press, the Evangelical press-that sanched press which
the opinion OF the Tract Society, is of the boasts
Of the land. We could not have believed forty years the
question would have reached at this day its present deve
opement Who does not see u what drifting and II
the tide Of destruction be stayed must be because the
evangelical church erect sea wall against it, and gay,
Htherto shalt thou come and further and here ehal
thy proud waves be stayed.
Rev. RUFUS W. CLARK--I am happy in addressing this
audience OF Cbretan gentlemen to know that express
their sentiment in utterDg the desire to have the slave
trade arrested Such believe is the desire every gen.
teman within these walls. We unani nous upon that
ready do they for the carrying out OF that
desire. The question s, whether it is proper for the
Society to publish tracts this SIM We have tracts In
regard TO sabbath breaking profanity and ntemperance
and these tracts distributed here at the North and
everywhere. And because members of our churches
are engaged the liquor the Society no. arrest
ed s publications against the vice that traffic creates and
fosters Therefore, it is proper to publish tracts against
any one Of these particular SINS is equally proper
publish in regard TO the trade and doing you will
carry many gentlemen OF tho South with you. have
been pastor OF church slave territory, (hough,
thank God, no one member was Hlaveholder) ana /
know that gentlemen from the South who have opposed
this sort of action do not fairly represent the opinions Of
the south. Applause the politicians and some Of the
hearts feel the disastrous influence of slavery
deeply feel at the North Many feel that slavery
has come upon them as burthen, and entirely
against the reOpepDg OF the slave trade We ask only of
this society that give its influence to sustain that opinion
and if IL publishes tract with regard TO this evil /. will
plant itself upon rock and its strength will be increased
love this American Tract Society. thank God every
leaf Of the tree Of life has scattered the Ameri
republic rejoice that the coporteurs meet the emf.
grants from foreign shores with the words OF Gods truth
But trembc for the future when see the society failing
part Of land will peril the OF this republic
(Applause) AS nation we are 10 prosper only as we
adhere TO the principles upon which national prosperity
and moral character based and read the history
Of past nations find the prophecy fulfilled that the
ton and country that does not fear God shall perish
Shall We by action action contribute 10 bring
into existence a traffic which our fathers pronounced nc.
cursed; that was opposed by the noble who laid
broad and deep the foundations Of this republic: who
would not allow the word slavery to enter into the
constitution Of their country Only two States when the
constitution framed opposed the proposition 70 stop
this unhoy traffic; and now, ia the middle Of the Nine
teenh century, considering whether the Publish
ing Committee appointed by US will accept from this
body recommendation TO publish q tract showing the
evil of the African slave trade! Ii they will 40 SO 1t
will be for tee COCO of this society, for the good
of the nation and for the honor of God. applause
HlRAM KErcHuM, Esq, Of New York; assent TO what
the gentleman has said with reference 10 the
slave trade but the question for us s whether this is the
place or this dscussion (applause and hsses)wheher
whether We nave any power TO act upon the subject
Now Mr. President it seeus to me tha the whole merits
Of the question which arises hero lies within very
compass We all agree that this society has exercised
most hopeful influence upon tho people OF the United
United States We all agree that the mode of distributing
these tracts by coporteurs is very comnendabe one.
But the question arises here in relation to those States
where institution Of domestic slavery recognized
authorized by law There acknowledged evils grow.
ing out Ct this nsttutioo. Nobody denies it, But the
question is, whether We, in corporate capacity,
q Tract Society. shall denounce these evils?
Upon that subject he differed from the reverend gentle
man who preceded him. He had given the power en-.
trely to the Publishing Committee. They had no power
to control the discretion of that commtee and there
would be in the resolution The constitution re-
qured them to publish tracts which would meet the ap
probation of all evangelical Christians The committee
were to cecde upon any tract as question of factas
matter OF iact--as nouest men, whatever may be the
feeling of the conmee-would they have any right to
publish tract on slavery? He believed court Of equity
would grant Injunction to restrain the publishing of tho
tract proposed because wond not the approba-
ton Of evangelical Christians at the South. They would
remember bow Southern divine, DR.. Johnson pleaded
with them list year in behalf Of their brethren Of the
South, begging Of them to let the clergy OF
the South manage the slavery question. Sup.
pose any Clergyman present should say to brother
invited into his pnlpt that there vice which
he desired to manage alone; would that clergyman
say, Certainly; will leave you to manage it according
TO your plans they could 90 out into the streets
into Garrson's meeting, as individuals, and denounco
slavery but uniting here under their constitution
had