The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-28
PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, O. S.

mittee Of New York
motion was made to postpone the order of the
Gay, which was DR.. Breckinridge's protest, and
other unfinished business
Rev. DIR. Ogden, of Mississippi was opposed to
the postponement. He desired immediate action
upon it. vote being taken upon the motion, it
vas " decided to postpone the Consideration until
Tuesday.
The resolutions of DR.. Spring were then taken
up. DR.. E. G. Wines made a few preliminary re-
marks expressive of his views upon the question,
and referred to the dispatches from w ashngton to
certain members of the Assembly, He then read a
despatch which he sent to the Hon Mr.. Bates,
together with his reply:
Hon. Ed,Uard Bates, WASHINGTON Ci,y,
Have you sad it is your opinion and that of other
members of the Cabinet that thing our Assembly,
can do to sustain and strengthen the Government and
the Union is to preserve the unity of the Pres
byterien Church, by absaining from any deliberance
upon the present roubes-iti stated in Assem-
oy hy what claims to be good authority If incon-
istent with your sense of propriey please answer mme
datey. E G. WIVES y
MIR. Bates reply -
WASHINGTON, May oath
Yes, for myself decidedly; and believe for others
EDWARD BATES
Mr. w. said he could not with sense of pro-
prety vote for either of the papers which bad been
offered, and, therefore, offered the following:
Whereas, The General Assembly has cause to believe
that the National Administration itself is the opinion
that the silence of this body the present crisis
Presbyterian Church, would the same time and for
tha reason he in the interest of and the National
Union and would strengthen instead of weakening the
hands of the General Government
And tcereaS, further. That Ministers and Elders pre.
sent in this Assembly true to their hereditary principles
as have already in their civil and social
relations given the decisive of their
to the Constitution and the laws under which we live
and are ready at all suitable times and whatever
sonai sacrifice to testify their loyalty the American
Union; therefore
Resolred That the General Assembly deem il inipdi
cous, at the time
touching upon the existing crisis and therefore the
matter be indefinitely postponed
Hon. Judge Allen spoke as follows:-What |
have to say is quite different from that which |
would have said at early day. [ would have
been glad had there been way opened to us bv
which we could have avoided discussion upon so
momentous question. 1t is for the Presby terian
Church to decide upon this question both North
and South. 1t is the most momentous question
that have ever been called upon to vote upon
The opinion expressed by certain member of the
Cabinet ought not to influence US in our actions
N,''lst | do not politically sympathize with the
ADMINISTRATION if can sustain strengthen it in
the malntainance of the Federal Government [
VIII gladly do so. If other churches had remain
ed together as we nave, - one body bound to-
gether in the bonds of brocharhood I doubt
whether there would have been the nlottinp poli-
tclans to bring us where are. The power of
the church cannot now be fet-but look to a time
when Its voice will be heard-when reason will
take the place of passion. ! believe if the ad-
ministratOrs at Washington, who so kindly gave
their advice could see the matter as we do that
Is more weakening than Strengthening, they would
say, act as your consciences direct YOU. do not
believe that it will break the church asuuder if
you adopt Dr.. Springs resolution: it will STRENGTH
en not only the Church of Christ but the whole land
II we do not give expression at the present time
1t Is most probable that our constituents will or
ganlze another assembly, which will act very
rashiy, and in all likelihood pass most radical re.
solutions, and not only drive the members from the
South out OF the Church, but many from the North
lie then, in conclusion. said he would vote for
Dr. Springs resolutions, but also would offer
slight amendment, to make the last resolution
read as fellows:
the duty of the ministers and churches under its
do all in their power to promote and perpeuate the
egrity of the United States and ghen and up
hold and encourage the Federal Government in the lust
exercise of all its functions under noble Constitution
DR.. Spring said he accepted the amendment
Rev. Mr. Mathews OF Kentucky said: Mr. Mode
rator-lt was well pronounced by Judge Allen
when he remarked that you men here in the North
are al on the turning of popular opinion. You
men have nothing to hazard, whilst the Union
men have their all to hazard. Why, sir, there are
men here who came to the Assembly at the very
peril of their lives. Some of these men had to take
circutous route to reach this city. because it was
very unsafe for them to travel in certain Ioca atias
IL you press upon these men the resolution of Dr.
Spring, you drive them away from the support Gf
our common Church and Government. They can
they can to support this Government. But nv
appeal to you is relieve them of such necessity
as giving expression in this body upon the resOIu-
tiOn OF DR.. Spring. The union of these States the
support,.the encouragement of this Administration
does not in the least degree depend upon the action
OF this Assembly.
Mr.. Moderator, the resolutions of Dr. Hodge car
be subscribed to by our Southern brethren if they
must take action or give expressions; therefore, lei
me suggest that in the fifth resolution which il
respecting ':iust and honorable peace, and tn,
restoration of "ur beloved Unioa,'' that it be al
tered to STRENGTHENING of the bonds of politica
union"
There has been degree of outside pressure, a,
has been acknowledged, in this house; teegraphit
despatches sent and received, &c. SO with ouI
brethren in the South-uuless YOU act so and so
we Will close your doors and Join some other de
nominatiOn-dO not fall into that wake: let II,
Judge for ourselves; let fall that knife that will
| sever our Presbyterian Church. Do not strike; il
Is an act that will live after we 90 down to oul
graves. If this Church is to be severed in twain
| feel like standing between, and CRYING oh m,
| mother! onl my mOtherl There is a minority a
| the South who wish to Secede from our Assembly
| give them no opportunity to do So as there ar,
"'hers there, VINO are Union men, laboring to hea
| the breach.
There will be calm after the storm; let us no
indulge our personal feelings but act for the plor
OF the Lord Jesus Christ, who died to save hi
| Church Let US act for the future and build al
| everlasting Church to His glory The paper pro
posed by DR.. Hodge is manly and dipniied. if va,
cannot vote for it, vote for that of Dr. Wines
DR.. Mehatfy of Ohio, remarked that he could no
sustain DIR. Springs resolution. One of the min is
| ters from Ohio says that the Church of the North
west will secede ifthe resolutions of this gentema
are not passed. He hoped the Assembly woul
not be intimidated by any such threats. In refer
euce to Dr.. Hodges resolution being characterize,
as milk and water, there was nothing of the sor
; about them to have that stigma cast upon them.
! lie thought that if the Assembly could vote TO
some clear proposition, they then could say eithe
| yea or nay. DR.. Wines resolutions contain mu G.
that is good and comprehensive, but he though
that the following, which he offered as substitute
| could be readily agreed to by nearly every mem
| Der of the Assembly:
Resolred, That in the Judgment of this Assembly it
the duty OF our ministers and people to uphold an
strengthen the hands of in the lawful exercis
OF all measures for the restoration of mutual harmony
confidence and peace throughout country and 70
the transmission Of those civil institutions to child
rem under which the Church of God in this land has en-
| Joyed such inward growth and prosperity
| Mr.. Robertson, of Wisconsin,, thought the pas
| sage OF the resolutions would not have the effec
| OF driving away from the Church anv of its mem
| bers. The question one of both duty to tn
| Church and the Government. No influence shouI
be brought to bear either from South Carolina o
| Pittsourg, or even Washington. HI was not to b
influenced by any threats 9uside'of the Assembly
1t is a sad time when dispatches from the seat o
| Government overawe our proceedings. Our mis-
| slonary churches of the western country are bot
| loyal to the Government and the Assembly II
spoke in reference to Judge Bates opini0n, an
sald that 1t was only private, and not offcial-rut
| be Is an Elder OF the Church; there are MANY E
ders on this floor who cannot give a definite dec
| sion. There is large portion otthe Prebysteria
| Church that has given reason of its LOYALTY t
| be doubtful. There are many Prebysteriau mir
lsters VINO are In great degree to blame fo
this rebellion In the land II there is not decisiv
| action taken upon this question the missioner
| operations will be crippled. He asked the Geners
Assembly to alter in no way her testimony of tn
past: W hen on the question of slavery the Syno
of South Carolina would ask it, it is only aske
| of the Presbyterian Church in this attempt t.
| overturn the goyernm ent to sustain her in her hnu
| ot peril. There are greater evils than dividing
! the church. The greatest curse the church has {
| fear IS that she may lose her dignity, integrity an
| fidelity. The reason he wanted to vote for DR.
| Springs resolution was, because the other resolu
| hons contained what men were unwilling to say
In this resolution all are asked to say is that W
| VIII sustain the government.
MIR. Waller, of Pennsylvania was the last sneak
| err He commenced BY saying tha: he admired h
| devotion to the cause of Christ and the interes
| and welfare to the church from the South. Yet
one OF the brothers from that section tOl(
| him that if this General Assembly took action upo
this resolution, DR.. Spring's), it would be neces
| sary to withdraw. This was not to show their in
dlvidual opinions and decisions; but, their re
| turn home, they would be considered as rebels
and be liable to indictment for treason and proba
! bly, their property contscated.
| The gentleman was proceeding in his remark
| touching on intricate questions of Church and Ma
| tional policy, when the hour of adjournment ar
| rived.
Considerable discussion arose as to what time tn
| Assembly should adjourn to. Some of the dele
gates favored a regular afternoon session, other
desired that an lnterlocutory meeting should b
| held. 1t was finally decided to adjourn until Mon
| day morning. The discussion will then be resumed
The New Treasury LoAN.-The bids for a loa
OF So,994, 600 asked for by the Secretary of tn
| Treasury were opened at the Department at noOI
on Saturday, 10 pursuance of the published notice
Bldders had the Optinn of nti.arino for hnnds