The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-04-19

! generally, render an immediate ana universal
| emancipation inccnssstsns alike, with tns saIety
and happiness OF tho master and the slave. viii
| those who are thus circumstanccd, We repeat thai
| we tcnderly sympathise. At the same time ~
earnestly exhort them to continue, and If posaibie
to increase their cAerons TO effect total abolition
| of slavery. We exhort them 70 suffer no greater
delay to take place in this most interesting con-
cern than a regard to the public welfare truly and
ipdispensably demands.
As our country has inflicted n most grievous
injury on the unhappy Africans, by bringing them
into slavery, we cannot, indeed, urge that We
should add second injury to the FIRST, by emant l.
pating them in such manner rs that they will be
likely TO destroy themselves or others. But we
do think, that conntxy ought to bo governed In
this matter, by no other consideration thsn an
honest and an impartial regard to the happiness
of the injured party nninfncnced BY the expensA
or inconvenience which such regard may involve.
We therefore warn all who belong to our dsnomi-
nation of christians against unduly extending this
plea of necessity; against making it cover for
the love and practicc Aayery, or a pretence for
not using efforts TINT lawful and practicable 70
extinguish the evil
And zee, at the same time, e1hort Others to for
bear harsh ccnsures and uncbaritable reflections
ON their brethren, who nnhappiy live among slaves
whom they cannot Immediately set free but who,
at the same time, urc really using nil their inhu
ence, and all their endeavors, to bring them to y
state of freedom, as soon AZ door for IL can be
safely opened.
Having thus expressed our views Of slavery, and
Of the duty indispepsably incumbent on all chris
tians to labor for it's complete extinction, pro-
coed TO recommend-fand we do ii with NIL the
earnestness and solemnty which this fnomentona
subject demands "a particular attention to the
following points:
We recommend to all ourpeople to patronize and
encourage the society lately formed, for coonizing
in Africa, the land of their ancestors the free peo
pie of color in country. We hope that much
good may result from the plans and efforts of this
Society. And while we exceedingly rejoice to
have witnessed its origin and organization among
the holders of slaves, giving an unequiyocal
pledge Of their desire to deliver themselves and
their country from the calamity of slavery; we
hope that those portions of tie American Union,
whose inhabitants are, by n gracious Providence,
more favorably circumstanced, will cordially
and literally, and earnestly cooperate with their
brethren, in bringing about the great end contem-
plated.
We recommend to all the members of our reli-
gous denomination, not only to permit, but to ia
eilac and encourage the instruction OF their slaves
in the principles and duties of the christian rel-
gion by granting them liberty TO aitand on the
prcuchfng OF The gospel, when they have tho oppor
tunity by favorng the instruction Of them in Sab
bath Schools, wherever those schools can be form
cd and by giving them all other proper Adyanta-
ges for acquiring the knowledge Of their duty both
to God and man. We are perfectly satisfied that
as it is incumbent on ell christians 10 communi-
cate religious instruction to those who are under
their authority, the doing Of this in the be-
fore SO far from operating, ~ some have appre
hended that it might,as excitement to insubordi-
nation and inBurrectl0n, would, on the contrary
operate the most powerful means for the proven
ton of those evils.
We enjoin it on all Church Sessions and Prcsby-
teries, under the Of this Assembly, to diseoun
tenance, and far possible TO prevent all cruel
ty of whatever kind in the treatment Of slaves -
especially the cruelty Of separating husband and
wife, parents and children; and that which con-
siss in selling slaves to those who will either them
selves deprive these unhappy people of the bless
ing of the Gospel, or who will transport them to
places where the Gospel is not proclaimed or where
it is forbidden to slaves to attend upon Its inRttu
tions. The manifest violation or disregard of the
Injunction here given, in its true spirit and nten-
ton, ought to be considered just ground for the
discipline and censures of the church. And if it
shall ever happen that christian professor, in
our communion, shall sell slave who is also in
communion and good standing with our church,
contrary to his her will and inclination, it ought
Immediately to claim theparticular attention of the
proper church udicature, and unless there be such
particular circumstances attending the as can
hut seldom happen, it ought to be followed, with
the privileges of the church. till he repent, and
make all the reparation in his power, TO the in
jured party.