Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-06-01
yssabyrrsfax cESsalL ASSEMBLY, 0. ..

motion was made 70 postpone the ORDER OF the Jay,
which Dr. Breckinridges protest. and other untnsh
ed business.
Rev De- Ogden, of Mississippi opposed to the post
plnement He desired immediate action upon 1t. A
vote being taken upon the motion, it was decided to
postpone the consideration until Tuesday.
The resolutions of Dr.. Spring were then taken up
Dr. f. G. Wines made few preliminary remarks ex-
pressye of his views upon the question: and referred to
the dispatches from Washington to certain members OF
the Assembly He then read despatch which he sent
20 the Hon. Mr. Bates together with his reply.
Hon. Ed,Oard Bates, Washington City:
"Have you said it is your opinion, and that of other
members of the Cabinet that the best thing our Assembly
can do 10 sustain and strengthen the Government AID
maintain the Union is to preserve the unity of the Pres
bytersu Church. by abs.aining from any elaboration
upon the present troubles? II is stated in the Assem-
biv by what claims TO be good authority. If not incon
stent with your sense OF propTety please answer i'm
msdiaely
Mr.. Bates reply
10 Rev. X. c. Vines:
Yes for myself, decidedly; and believe for others.
EDWARD BATES.
Mr. W. said he could not with a sense of propriety
vote for either of the papers which had been offered
and, therefore, offered the following
Whereas TIE General Assembly has cause to believe
that the National Administration itself is OF the opinion
thai the silence of this body the present fearful crisis
in public affairs ten ling 10 preserve the unity oil the
PRESBYTERIAN Church. would at the same time, and for
that reason be in the interest of peace and the National
Union and would strengthen instead OF weakening, the
bands oil the General Government:
AHd whereas further The Ministers and Elders pres
ent in this Assembly to their hereditary principles
A. Presbyerans have already in their civil and social
relations given the decisive proofs OF their devotion
to the Constitution and the laws under which we live,
aud are ready all suitable times, and at whatever per-
sonal slcr fee to testify their loyalty to the American
IT1iOn ThsrefOre-
Resolped That the General Assembly deem it pjudc-
ious at the presen: time to give any formal expression
touching upon the existing crisis and therefore the mat
ter be indefinitely postponed
Hon. Judge Allen spoke as follows:
What have to say is qlits different from that which
would have said at an early day l would have been
Gid had there been way opened 10 US, by which we
could have avoided discussion upon SO momentos ques-
tion Il is for the Presbyterian Oaurch TO decide upon
rhs question: both North aud South. IL Is the most mo-
m uous question that have ever been called upon to
yo.e upon The opinion expressed by certain member
of the Cabinet ought not 70 Influence "a IN our actions
Wills. | do no. politically sympsthize with the
Administration, if | can sustain or strengthen II
in the maintenance of the Federal Government
will gladly do so. If other churches had re.
On aimed together as We have, II one Dody, DouAd
to,ctAer in the bonds Of brotherhood, l doubt
whether there would have been the plotting poll
,;c;,ns 10 bring US where we are The power OF The
church cannot NOW DO felt-but | look 10 time when
its voice will be heard-when reason will take the place
Of passion believe if the administrators at Washing
GU who 90 kindly gave their advice, could see the MAJ
ter as VIC do thai weakening than strengthening,
they would say act your consciences direct you do
not believe that II will break the church asunde 1t you
adopt Dr. Springs resolution; it will strengthen not only
the Ceurch OF Car ST. but tn whole land. II we do not
give expression at the present time i. is mos. probable
that our constituents will organize another assembly
W ich will act very rshly and in all likelihood pass most
radical resolutions and no. only drive the members from
the South out OF the Church but many from the Nor n
lie then, il conclusion, said he would vote Tor De-
Spring's resolutions but also would offer slight amend
mem, 70 make the last resolution read as follows:
Resolved That in the judgment OF this Assembly, it
i the duty of the ministers and churches under s care
TO do all in their power TO promote and perpeaa'c the
integrity of the United States and 70 strengthen and up
hold and encourage the Federal Government in the JUS:
e1 rcse of all its fuoctons under cur noble Consitu-
tion
Dr. Spring said be accepted the amendment.
Rey Nc Mathews, oil Kentucky, said
Mr. Moderator-It vel pronounced by Judge Allen,
when he remarked that you men here Il the North are
all on the turning Of popular opinion. You men have
nothing 10 hazard whilst the Union men have their all
20 hazard. Why sir there men here who came TO
tn Assembly 1t the very Peril o! their lives Some OF
Iess had 10 take cirOuitou route 10 re-cn tbs city
because it very unsafe for them to travel in certain
localities. If you press upon taese man the resolution
OF Dr. Spring yen drive hem away from The support OF
our common Church and Government They can say
Ni;h coed conscencss that they will do all they can TO
support this Government. But my appeal to you is 10
relieve them Of s1ch necessity giving expression in
this body upon tue resolution OF d.. Spring. Tee union
Of these ate the support the encouragement of this
Administration does not in the least degree depend upon
thu action Of this Assembly.
Nc Moderator the resolutions Of Or. Hodge be
su1scrihed 20 by our southern brethren II they mus.
ss action give expressions therefore let ne sugges
that in the th resolution, which il respecting us.
AID honorable peace and he restoration OF our beloved
Uuio7 THAI be altered 10 sreug henng OF the bonds
o. political union"
There Las been degree Of outside pressure, as has
bccn ACKNOWLEDGED H. tbs house Geographic despa,ch
Soith-ualess You sct SO ana So We Will close your
doors and Join other denomination do LCt fall into
that wake let u7 judge for ourselves let fall that knife
shat will our Presbyterian Church. Do not strk
4, an that Will live after go down 70 our graves
If this Church is b. severed in twain feel Ike stand
ing between ana crying Oh my mother oh my moth
er There Is minority az the South who wish 10 secede
from Assembly give then no opportunity 10 do so,
there others there who are Union men, aoorlng
70 heal the breach.
There will be a calm after the storm let US not in
duge personal feelings but set for the glory Of the
Lord Jesus CaIis who died to save his Church. Let US
&C, for tie future and build everlasting Church His
glory. The paper proposed by Dr.. Hodge is manly and
dignfed you cannot vote tor il, vote for tina: Of Dr.
Wines
d.. Mehail, OF Ohio raIslrked that he could not
tau Dr. Springs resolution. One of the ministers from
Ohio says that the Church OF the Northwest will seCede
If the resolutions Of this gentleman are not passed he
hoped the Assembly would not be iatimidatsd by any
such threats In reference TO Dr. Hodges resolution be-
in, characterized it mix and water there nothing
OF the sort about them TO have that stigma upon
them He thought that if the Assembly could vote for
clear proportion they then could say either yea or
nav Dr. Wiuea resolutions contain much that is good
and comprehenstle but he thought that the following
lA of q5 could
to by neary every member Of the Assembly:
Resoiccd That in the Judgment OF this Assembly, il
the duty of our ministers and people TO uphold and
strengthen the hands Of rulers in the lawful exercise
OF all measures for the Grafton of mutual harmony,
confidence and peace throughout country, and for
the transmission OF those civil institutions children,
under which the Church of God in this lAud has eOyed
such inward growth aud prosperity
Mr.. Robertson, of Wisconsin, thought the passage OF
the resolutions would not have the effect OF driving away
from tn Church any OF its members The question was
one of both duty to the Church and the Government
No Influences should be brought to bear either from
South Olroila, or Pit'sburg, or Washington He
was be influenced by any threats outside of the
Assembly Il is sad time when dispatches from the
seat OF Government oyeraws our proceedings Our mis-
81 1nary churches OF the country both loyal
TO the Government ard the Assembly. de spoke in ref
nee TO Judge Bates opinion, end said that il only
ivate, and not oticiR-true, be ia Elder OF the
Church, there many elders this )or who cannot
give defoie decision. There a large portion Of the
Presbyterian Church that has given Of its loyalty
be doubtful. There are many Presbyterian ministers
VINO are in great degree 10 blame for this rebellion in
the land. there is decisive action taken upon this
question the missionary operations will be crippled He
asked the General Assembly TO alter in way her test
mony of the past. When the question Of slavery the
synod of South Carolina would ask it, only asked of
the Presbyterian Church in this attempt oVerturn the
government to sustain her in her hour Of peril There
are greater evils than dividing the church. The greatest