The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-08-01
Resolutions Of the Erie Annual Con-
ference, at its late Session at Youngs-
town, on the State Of the Country.

Resolutions Of the Erie Annusl Con-
ference, at its late Session at Youngs-
town, on the State Of the Country.
The Committee on the state Of the Coun-
try offered the following Report,
Whilo we, as Ministers Of the Gospel, re-
affirm our intention not TO iDtermeddle with
mere party politics, yet as citizens Of this
great Republic, wo are deeply interested in
our national unity and prosperity and the
preservation Of those great principles en-
bodied in tho Constitution, and bequeathed
to Us by our Revolutionary fsthere.
When we review tho past, and contem.
plate tho great results recorded upon every
page OF our history, our hearts swell with
gratitude to the God Of Dations whose prov
idonce we recognize in our deliverapce and
protection. Our Pilgrim Fathers, who
stood upon tho old rock at Plymouth, when
America was q wilderness, not only brought
with them the manners and customs of civil
lied life, but they brought also o principle
in their hearts which was potent TO mould
the des,inics Of great Republic.
This vas the principle Of civil and reIig-
ious liberty. From this beamed light
whose rays penetrated and illumined every
department of social and public life. The
heroes of '76 planted the standard Of oon-
stitutional liberty just beneath the banner
of the cross, and, bearing their bosoms to
the stroke OF tyranny, they gave up their
lives to perpetuate this principle. Such
has been the wonderful development OF this
| principle, that at the mere name Of America,
| tyrants have trembled and the hopes Of tho
down.trodden and oppressed of all lands
have revived.
Notwithstanding all this, from our earliest
history until the present. two principles, an
tsgonistic in their character, have been
struggling for tho mastery, namely, civiliza-
ton and barbarism. Although we as o ma
ton have been pre-eminent in the advocacy
OF O pure morality, yet have we nursed in
onr bosoms principle and system of bar
barism unworthy Of the dark ages. While
repeatedly warned of our danger, we slept
in our fanc;ed security, while this then
secret enemy was forging for Us the fettorB
of despotism. But, when the mask fell of
at Charleston, then tho scales fell from our
, eyes, aud the booming guns of Sumter
. found an echo in The great American heart.
q Then Religious patriotism again burst forth,
{ then did freemen again rally around the
standard Of the Union with . promptitude
: which challenged the admiration of the civ
ilized world.
One year has passed away, during which
, timo this wicked rebellion has assumed gi-
gantic proportions. Our enemies, in ite
: prosecution have manifested deadly hatred
of this principle Of liberty-aD utter disre-
{ gard OF justice and commen rights Of man,
! and in many instances q fiendish cruelty. uu-
paralleled even in the history of savage war;
fare. During the past year very much has
Y been accomplished. Great and glorious re-
!, suits have been attained. Much territory
, has been recovered; the Stars aud Stripes
again wave over many strongholds, and the
! wonderful resources aud power of this gov
ernment have been exhi hibited TO the world.
Nor has this been accomplished without q
sacrifice. Many of the noblest in the land
have already fallen. Thousands of young
/ men have gone forth to war, to return no
I more and for this the voice Of mourning is
= heard in all the land. Many hearts are
u stricken and many hearth.stones left deso-
i late. And the end 10 not yet. Still the
h berbarous monster socks tho life.blood of
o our national existence. Still rebels in arms
arc striking at the root of our tree of liberty
D And shall they succeed in their dark and
i REASONABLE designs? mol As long as the
T; flame of liberty burns brightly upon the
/ shrine of Americans heaTt-as long Ct
strong arms are found to WELD the sword
and bear aloft our glorious banner, SO lone
shall our national unity be preserved.
We offer, in conclusion, tie following
Resolutions for adoption:
, RESOLVED, lst. That the close Of this wal
is OF desirable until the arm of oppression
is effectually broken, and Freedom of speech
/, and the press permanently secured 10 all
the inhabitants of this great land.
q a RESOLVED, I'd. That we most heartily ap-
Al. AL.
q the abolition of Slavery in the Distric. Of
n Columbia, it's perpetual exclusion from the
- territories. together with the late sweeping
- act of confiscation, all of which We believe
!, to be constitutional and just, and g!orioui
~ triumph over the evil designs of wicked men
"A ResoieG, 3D. That the time has conn
7 when it behooves every Christian with un
a sparing profusion to lay bis means upoI
A the altar of his country, for the support O
II the war and the relief of tie suffering.
;. Resoipee. 4th. That We express eur NJ
qualified dissprobatiop Of ALL whether Nortl
or South. who have the least sympathy foa
. . rebels, aud regard ihsm a. being in league
with the rebellion and traitors TO the goT'
A ernment.
= RESOLVED, 9Th. That We deeply symps.
n Il IL. with our brave soldiers who are suffer
!, ing in hospitals, diseased and wounded, aud
= also with those who mourn the loss of friend
: 8 and kiEdrod who have fallen upon the
: battlefield.
/. Resoiped, 8ih. That at this meat sri,ica
period Of the war, it Is more than ever tht
q dsty Of the Church to offer her unseasint
. and fervont prayers to the God of nations
= for the success Of our arms aad tho speed.
, establishment OF an honorable and perma
nent peace. Z. }. l.. BAKER, Chm
!, r. NJ. WARREN, Sec'y.
d The report was unanimously adopted.
10 ~~-~~~----