Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1860-10-18
stand upon the same platform, and hold sim.


you the views of our church in Virginia at d
somewhat later period. In 1918 minister
preached a sermon in Washington county, in
which were some illusions to the relations
Of slavery, and was indicted for attempting
to promote insurrection and sedition among
the slaves. By chan ge of cenue the trial
was beld in Frederick, in March, 1919. The
senior counsel for the accused was Roger B.
Taney, now Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court of the United States. Ore of the at
torneys read from the Discipline of the
Church the law bearing on slavery, which
may be thus condensed ~. A strong dec
laEation of the great evil of slavery (2). A
requisition upon such as unite with the
church to emancipate their slaves; (3). For-
bidding any Shareholder to be a travelling
preacher; az. Forbidding the sale of slaves,
or their purchase. excert for purposes of
emancipation (5). Admonishing slaves to
obedience and industry.
These were read in Virginia Court, to a
Virginia jury, IN the presence of Virginia
judge, aud the position boldly argued, that
there was nothing in them contrary to the
peace and safety of the State, The accused
was acquitted. Mr.. fancy said of the NJ eth
odfsts living under these rules, that they
equaed any other people in their moral de-
pertinent, and in their habit of obedience to
the laws" He also said:
" No man can be prosecuted for preaching
the articles of his religious creed. unless, In
deed, this doctrine is immoral ani calculated
to disturb the peace and order of society =
and subjects of National policy may at all
times be freely and fully discussed in the
pulpit or elsewhere, without limitation of
restraint. -. It IS well known that th e
peaceful and gradual abolition of slavery in
these States is one of the objects which the
Methodist society have in view. -. There
is no law which forbids US to speak of SLAYER y
as We think of it. Any man has right to
publish mis- opinions on that subject whenev-
er he pleases 1t is a subject Of national cons
cerp, and may be freely discussed. MIR. Cru
Der (the defendant) did quote the language
of our great act of national independence,
and insisted on the principles contained in
that venerated instrument lie did rebuke
tkos masters who, in the exercise OF power,
are deaf to the calls of humanity, and he
warned them of the evils they might bring
upon themselves. lie did speak with abhor-
renee of those reptiIea who live by trading
in human flesh, and enrich themselves by
tearing the husband from the wife, the infant
from the bosom Of the mother. -. Shall
content myself with saying be bad right to
say this, and that there is no law to punish
him We are prepared to
maintain the same principles, and to use, il
necessary, the same language here IN the
temple of justice. A hard ne
cessiE, indeed, compels us to endure the
evils Of slavery for time. 1t was imposed
upon US by anothe, nation while we we're in
a state of colonial vassslagc. 1t cannot be
easily OF suddenly removed. Yet, while il
continues, it is blot on our national char-
acter, and every real lover of freedom conf
IDENTIFY hopes that it will be efiectually though
it must be gradually, wiped away, and ear
nestly locks for the means by which this
necessary Object may be best attained. And
until it shall be accomplished. until the time
shall come when we can point without g
blush to the language held in the Decara
tion of Independence, every friend of human
ity will seek to tighten the CALLING chains Of
slavery, and better, to the utmost of his pow
er. the wretched condition of the slaye."
Perhaps, Mr.. President, the above para
graphs have a more decided rhetoric than thu
distinguished author of che Dred Scott deci
sion would now employ, but they are truth
ful, and our people will endorse them.
5. There are many persons residing in tn,
slave States who prefer our discipline ant
ministry to those of the Methodist Episcopa
Church South They do so, ~ Becaus
they have Constitutional right for sucl
preference; f2.l Because they think our dis
cipline accords with holy Scripture, with ou
early testimony and the recorded sentiments
Of our purest statesmen 8. Because ou:
is the church of their childhood and youth
t4.l Because it is not sectional church, en
-blazoned as such on the very title pages 0
official publications. b
These are good reasons, and we have fel
it our duty to supply them with the ministr.
aud institutions of their preference. w
haye invaded no civil rights, have melted n
revolt, stirred no sedition. We claim 70
them the right to prefer as--we claim tn
right to supply them.
II. WHAT TREATMENT HAVE WE RECEIVED
Sir, the civilized world has been shocke
by the story of the denominations perpetrate
by the Druses upon the nominal Christian
in Syria, and by the cruel edicts which hay
disgraeed the goyernme ut of Rome, with it
clerical head. I am not sure but chapte
of history almost as shocking and barbarou
must be written by the historian of Method
ism. Our people are under reign of terrO
in some portions of the So outheast and South
west. From different quarters in Virginia
Maryland, and Delaware, they have receive
threars of violence to be inflicted unless ther
shall be withdrawal from. our church. Th
mail matter Of our members is opsned-pos