Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1860-03-22
IFsr De Isa-p.sa-.l i,..ssr...l

AfG Ne hna<P~ndc1f o<mscrAl
Ma Epuo. ;--Pi,ass give ths aeceep&sying
Report place in the nezs i.sss q year je~s-
nal, and obiiss many sf ysar sabserib>sl
ssrsay rsqsest o. hks ksor ef u editos q
he "Virs'ssA Frss Prs~, = ana "syisis q Jsssr-
sss," rssPss<iv.ly.
vry Respectfully,
J. HorynAH Waves.
Psuscher IN Charrs Of Js6ersoa Cscuas
cAarlessews, Va, March isth. isso.
Rspos Of sAs Cemsines o. k<morssl.--
Adop<ed b. he Balfisovs A..ssi Co.fer-
e~es. At WiaeAesisr. Va. ApvA ia, 1880.
Your Cosnmittee 10 whom Ia. been refer
rod the memorials from several Of the ap-
pointmeats in our Conference. on the subject
Of Slavery. beg leave 10 make the following
report:
The said nemorialists relate 10 tkree dis
tinct points, viz The expunging Of the
rule ON Slavery the dissolution Of our con-
nexioa with the Northern Conferences. and
the incessant agitation Of the Slavery ques-
ton in our periodical literature.
We recognize in all our members the right
10 hold. and fully 70 express thoir sentiments
on all these subjects. And We are highly
grati6cd with the affection and loyalty 10
our Conference which the memorials breathe.
We also know and painfully feel the press
ure, which they have been lately made To
suffer upon the question which l. the main
subject Of their appeal TO us. But. at he
same time. our conviction Is clear, that ne
can only stand as Church. nay. that We
can enly maintain our existence ~ Confer
encc. on the ground Of the Discipline as IL
administered by US neither yielding 10 the
demands Of the extremists in the North or
South.
We are satisfied, that should We give ex-
preston TO some Of the opinions which some
Of our own dear bretheren suggests in the
memorials referred TO, We should produce
within the bounds Of our own Conference.
and even in Virginia, Dissatisfaction much
greater than that which We now seek 10 allay.
An 10 separation from the Metkodist
Episcopal Church, We beg leave 30 say, that
this Conferences has already declared what,
In their opinion. would be . Just cause Of se-
verence. viz: Any violation Of our risAfs
a. now held under Discipline. This we
have said time and again. And our breth-
rem the memorialists know, that for these
rights We have always earnestly and faithful
ly contended. Our whole Church in the
bounds Of our Conference has our solemn
pledge. and our brethren in the North are
well acquainted with our Oft repeated de-
clarations.
In reference 70 the character of our litera-
ture alluded 10, while we deeply dcplore the
fact that IL has in some instances, become
such as We can neither sanction nor circu-
late, yet We are all glad to know, as far rs
the newspaper press Is concerned, we have
an Advocate at Baifimcre, in the ability OF
whose editor, and in his fidelity to our inter
ests We can implicitly confde.
here il another fact which we beg leave
TO mention The country is unusually agi-
tated upon the question Of Slavery, and the
dissolution Of the Union is spoken Of with q
freedom, and even sought in some quartz :,
with an eagernesn that most painfully s,nock
our feelings Of patriotism. God forbid IA.
this Confederation Of States should &C., n
aught TO aid or promote these tre.sonsble Se
signs. And, itis our dsliberat., conviction ,bs
aiother division Of the C,aurch would b,~s
fearful tendency in Tat direction. Al nre.
ent there u not = Church in the land. who's.
government % strongly oonnexional. which 4
divided BY strictly State lines, not one
And se cannot but believe. shat any sued
separation. must weaken the bonds which !.
happily bold n together a. nation.
II the tso sections Of the Union cAnno
bold together. Is Christians, win thew b
able 70 do Il ~ eitisens and ciyiliAnsf
While We therefore deeply sympathir
with our brethren, the menoriaiists. In tn
troubles which We allege are upon them
ve would ahectionAtely remind them tina
the General Conference is the place uher
all such memorials should be addressed
that body possessing the SOle leSisllGtiTe an.
Judicial faAotions.
In view Of the foregoing considerations
your committee recommend the adoption o
the following resolutions:
The Resolutions will be found on OF
arst Psss.