New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-06

SLAVERY AND EDUCAT1ON--RRPUsAL OF CliAH-
TER, FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, TO TIE
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BY THE
< GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF Observation-Disclosures
. PRESCRIPTION.
Correspondence OF The N. T. Tribune - go
JEFFERSON CITY, Dec. %, 1853.
Tie General Assembly Of Missouri is now ia 'es-
siOp 1t IL under the absolute control Of the Pro-
Slavery party. Its legislation, ike that of most OF
the Slave States, shows eternal hostility to every
social interest in conflict with Slavery. Nothing
more clearly indicates this than the refusal of q
charter, for educational purposes to the Methodist
Episcopal Church, by the present General Assembly
About two years ago Board of Trustees was
organized in Jefferson City, for the purpose Of
building University at the capital, with CON-
plete faculty, to rank with any in the Union. 1t
consisted ofseveral prominent gentlemen, not mem.
hers of any church, and several leading members OF
the Methodist Episcopal Church, under whose pat
ronage and control the institution was placed.
During the last General Assembly a charter was
Of piled for, but it was voted down by large ma
iority, getting only sixteen votes. The argument
of the PrO-Slayery party was that Free-Sol senti-
ineDt already had possession Of st. Louis the COM
mercial heart of the State and the struggle now
was for the c0ptA the political heart: and free
Soil sentiment got that, it would be the eId of
Slavery in the State; that University at the capt.
tai, under the control of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, thoroughly Anti-Sayery church, would
at once give it 10 Free-soil sentiment from which
opinions inimical to Slavery would reach every mu
nicipal township in the tate; that it would encour
age immigration from the Free States and embOden
ind render more formidable the Anti-Savery ele-
ments already in our midst; and that charter for
such an institution was not for moment to be
thought Of Some more violent than discreet OF
Just, charged that the Methodist Episcopal Church
encouraged characterization among slaves, and in
cuded in its organization negrotheyes, and ought,
IN no account, to have charge of any educational
interest in the State.
The friends of the institution answered that Free
Soil sentiment had control of St Louis; that it was
o clief element of its progress; that the struggle
was not for the possession of the capital alone, bat
Of the whole States that the Methodist Episcopal
Church was thoroughly Anti.Slavery but its moral
reforms everywhere were always subordinate to the
Constitution and the law; that If the proposed Uni
veISity of the capital would have the effect pre-
dicted, il was powerful argument for the charters
that similar charters had been granted to all other
determinations in the State; that the Constitution of
the State provided: THAT oil men have natu-
"ral ard indeieasible right to worship Almighty
"God according 10 the dictates of their own con-
"sciences; that no human authority can control or
interfere with the rights of conscience; and that
ono preference be giser, BY lac, TO any sect
"or mode Of tcorship;" that 10 grant charters for
educational purposes, to all other religious denom-
nations, and to refuse similar facility to the
Methodist Episcopal Church. was an attempt TO
control and interfere with the rights Of conscience,
by human authority and was giving direct prefer
ence, by law, 10 oil other sects and modes of wor-
ship; that the Methodist Episcopal Church was pre-
cisely what il had been from 1850 to lS44 when the
pie of the Southern States were members of and
supported the organization; that, so far from en-.
couruging characterization among slaves, il sought
TO make them religious and contented, addressing
| its AntSlnvery sentiments to masters, through
whose Christian reformation alone Slavery can
peneeably terminate; and, finally, that the refusal
of the charter was violation of the spirit of reg-
ious freedom, brought by the Pilgrim Fathers to
this country, embodied in the CoUmitution OF the
United States, and in the Constitutions OF the sew
eIal States, and, if followed precedent, would
blend religion and politics. and result in the alter
nate prescription of parties and sscts and the ulti
mate overthrow Of free government.
The vote was go to l6 The charter was again
preseuted and, on the 18th inst, was voted down
by 81 10 ~. The Board here passed solemn reso.
luton TO present the charter at every session until
granted, and if not granted within the lifetime OF
the present Board, the duty will he transmitted to
their successors. The issue is joined IN Missouri
between Education and Slavery, Religious Free
dem and Slavery, he Common Rights of Citizen
ship and Slavery, and il will never be abandoned
by the friends of social order and progress until
liberal principles shall triumph. 1t is a contest
inviting the sympathy and assistance of the pure
and good everywhere, and the result cannot be
doubtful.
II is thus the self constituted advocates of Slavery
are arroypg one after another every social interest
against II They are the most active and efficient
| Aboitonists in the State. They are opposed to
immigration, because it is coming principally from
the Free States, thus bringing the great
landed interest in hostility to Slavery They are
opposed 10 education unless Pro-Slavery, to reg-
nous freedom. and to the freedom Of speech and of
tho press. With such manifestations of despotism,
is il 10 be wondered at that the people Of the Free
States are opposed to the extension Of Slavery to
the Territories If it goes there, they cannot 60
there and be free. II involves not the slavery OF
the African alone, but the slavery of the white man
as well. There is no escape. The issue Is upon tho
country, and must be settled one way or the other.