Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-01-27
TIE BALTIMORE CONFERENCE.-THE. Mr..
PHELPS.

TIE BALTIMORE CoNFERENCE-REv. Mr.,
PHELPS
70 the Editor of the Wig
VIII you, Mr. Editor, pardon a stranger for saying a
few words through your paper?
\ few days ago "a friend put into my hands "The Rich
mond Wing of January eth containing letter from
Z. 7. Phelps--a minister Of the Northern Methodist
Church, with the reply of the Wing
The people Of Virginia owe you debt Of gratitude,
Mr.. Editor especially those living in that portion of the
State infested By Methodist GHti-Sldyeryism For one,
hereby tender you my sincere Acknowledgements for
this service see in that reply the true spirit Of "a Vr
ginan and a patriot-the spirit that would make Vr-
gina unit, her band Of brothers; the spirit
that urges "d Yirginans to take position not doubt
ful on the slavery question What differences
upon political questions when compared the impor-
lance Of unity upon this amportant one of slavery in
the South
But sir the lamentabe fact is brought to our notice
bv Mr. Phelps that than half of the State of Yr-
gna is Occupiedby this Northern Methodist Church, and
of course, all Virgnians who in her communion, or
who wait upon her ministry, subjected TO her anti
sldUy teachings But fact even more lamentabe than
this is developed by the letter Of Mr. Phelps; namely
that those Baltimore Conference preachers sudiously
avoid discussing their real position upon the slavery ques
ton whenever they speak write, Extensively deen-
Svey. They inyariably-when they can-take care to
tell Us that they PrgiuG and mingle their birth
right with such uHa unable opposition 10 ABoLHIOSsN
sayory to be swallowed by their members many of whom
10 not care question what their preachers say
Where is the minister of this Conference who ever-On
slave errory-admittcdt the red! "auti-slavery position
and it,dsd that position, as politically, socially, and
rcligiousy right | have not heard of such one
Why avoid in Virginia what they always most ready
10 do in their General Conferences when held in the
NORTH Why not speak out here caudily and freely
they do when representing this Conference in Pitts
burg Boston, and ludianapOls' Policy! Tho fear OF
D 2.
bringing their true designs to light. can conceive no
other for their constant and persistent habit OF
covering up sliding over in every case of discussion,
the real issues involved.
When the representatives, Of this Conference meet
their Abolition brethren the floor Of the General Con-
ference they have hesitation in ayowing their oppO-
stion 20 slavery They then make haste to say hard
things OF tue South and her 'save codes They Joyful
y acknowledge their allegiance TO the North, aud pro-
claim their fidelity in iuusng Northern sentiment into
Southern minds In this billing and cooling, deli.
gates from svehoiug States have pressed much
to treason than did Patrick Henry upon certain
BILE occasion Here Is aged minister, right la our
midst, who has been pasug his patriotism upon denial
of the charge that he had visited, mnisterially "Oi
John Brown, and pushing that denial pasted oper,
into the papers of this border-as many four editions
of it appearing in secular Gazette. Now this Reyer-
end gentleman has bit Of history fastened to his char
acter which he can't get rid OF by his excessive anxiety
TO avoid acquaintance with John Brown or by his
praise of Virginia and her laws.
The Hon. Reyerdy Johnson in his celebrated speech
before the L. s Court in New York in May 1851 says,
in al.Ision TO this Rev gentleman auda brother minister
Of his that tLeir language upon the subject Of slavery
"s,ti b. treason n Carried ont bv orsrt act that, as
hers 4, Gei ajogs ls, r1nli u SO cUri,i ont
81, opao,tal 20 those igey (the laws OF Marylaudl hare
Lasd,J H,sry. C-audG-, Christian ministers as then
are, lrihiy, tie limits " the Maryland Peitot,arH'
Let any uupr JUDGED man take the history Of this Bal
tuOre Conference upon the subject of slavery and say
whether, with such record these ministers safe
medium Of the gospel 20 amy sllyehOding community
confess 10 Won Mr.. Editor, that the readiness with
which they received and supported leads me to fear
a the time may come when they will feel themselves
strong enough TO throw of the which they Low
exhibit and march boldly against what they even now
cali The g,,o soH of Sisrep' firmly believe they
would DO 10 to-day # THAR maJer could be rel on Ia
fo.ion than. Is it not omnous that the secular press,
the border of Virginia afraid to touch this North
Methodist Church, in its relation to slavery They
viii defend them IN some instances, but they rH MT Sut-
fer their opposition TO be exposed through their columns.
These SethodisS strong enough in some places TO
make paper thrive by their patronage will not be-
ioye that there Is single paper in Eastern or Middle
Virginia that would iawn upon enemy of the South,
that thrift might follow. Yet cannot account for the
irmuess with which they forbid any exposure of these
tnsayery propagaud7ts. Nobody asks them to engage
In religious or in church controversy; it IS only TO
defend Virginia slavery from the covert assaults Of an
| qlti-sivery Ciosrch.
There one two journals published in territory
occupied by the Northern Methodist Church, which, /
have reliable information for aYing, form honorable
captions May they have success
In conclusion twill take the liberty Of saying, that in
NV Judgment 10 would be far better for Mr.. Phelps and
his brother minister's who born in Virginia never
jill defending auti-slavery church-to mention their
birth place. Better by far say nothing about it. Men
will be much more inclined to respect Yankee with
t.sayery sentiments than Nlrginan who adopts hos
tile feelings towards his native land. 1t will not do to
appeal to Mr. Jefferson those of his day help you
out of anti-saveryism in 1860.
Come, then, gentlemen of the Baltimore Conference
and speak out Ike men. Tell the people Of Virginia
what YOU really believe this slavery question. If you
are the language Of your Conference given by Mr.
Phelps "ds much eongineed Of the great evil Of
slavery say so honestly when you write for Virginia
Journals discuss this sub before Virginia audience
/ Prope to the peopie-if they will hear you-that your
convictions true-that slavery great evil" don
stop, yet while to bother your hearers about "mIed
ate ABOLITION that result in due time if you
vince the people that you right in denOuneng slavery
great evil" Your next session will be held in
Virginia town. may the people expect then, plain
simple statement Of your true position True that To-
caty is little feverish just now, but the trpIh will dc
! good. May it come BORDER