New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-10-04
VIZ. jays Rejoindcr 10 the vestry Of 81.
Matthew'S.

Parish Of St. Matthews by my course In the Convention
simply the that did not choose to ps" without
notice grave impeachment from venerable Corpora
ton but the also that your condemnation oil me
involved great principle Of common interest IS concerning
the character of the American Church and the rights aud wei
/ fare Of the American people.
In defending tnys. did intend 10 mrepresent sim
sls fact or to uudse single motive and unhe'tatinsy
accept your frank sDd positive assurance that the
OF some town politicians by which have recently been hon
ored had no influence your scon My knowe'se OF ue
besr,v and effort. made by MIR Woodoock my
behalf and without my knowledge to rere their intrusion ct
your Easter election led express my hope that some OF
Won had been unconscious Of sms< influence In the sp
pouen; Of delegates Your letter OF your belief
that Of you Influenced and virtually inmates
that your action unconcerted until the meeting oil the
yesry therefore hasten to recall every syllable tia! might
seem to intimate the reverse, and to express my regret ct
having yielded partial credence to the rumoT that at
irbued your action to stue management and regarded The
result; political triumph.
Your touches upon various matters OF purely local and
personal interest which you will pardon me If allude but
briefly. Whether annuity to clergyman to con
tnus 20 long continues Of certain parish may be
properly said to assist In the support Of that pa'h whether
the duties of delegate the Convention are always confined
to the proceedings reported In the nswspsper whether 10
yet tie easiest thing in the world to secure seat from city
vesry before the Convention mces these and soro
other matters broached your letter discuss per
haps conveniently home IS In the columns Of daily
paper and pass the and serious charge that you Do
libers;ely prefer against mo- You say:
awe refused to send the Convention Representa-
tive who IN past year, seems to have taken delight IN as
sng and embrong until his conduct on the door OF the
House sngna.red Us indecent"
You will permit me to remark that In this latter assertion
you mistaken. Such expression used by an honor
able aud learned gentleman think during session Of 1861
in reference to proceedings Srmery bad In the Convention
and In such connection induce the superstition that 1t
might be intended refer to my action in that body
promptly asked the speaker he Intended TO refer to and
no promptly before the whole Convention. d'clsimed
ally such intention As to my seeming "totake delight In
sgstng and embroIing" the charge hardly demands no
tlce How thing seems depends very much upon
the fancy and wishes the observer and for these he and he
alone is really responsible The charge Of sgang and
broing In the Church old ST. Paul, and became 30
IT. du mOuOtOny in the matter Of St Phlip'
that repetition simply reminder that when
the cry raised conscience awakened and that though the
struggle be fierce. the triumph IL charge brought
against every who urges upon assembly 81 unpopular
Truth, IN the Of the sAye.rsde an unpAlslabe
canon and the irresistible the truth. the ancient
the more catholic the imperative tie CANON the greater
the crime and the intoesbe the nuisance Of forcing
upon unwilling body tina, conscious Of doubts and i,sv
inss which shriuks from investigating seeks to deuie eH
with the idea Of peaceful conservvsn and thus float,
Iesistingly with the popular current.
For there are always heaps Of roason. When
body 10 resolved ia good another and
ssency Of reasoning OF no sort Of moment The Conyen
ton not condemn Slavery, because Slavery is e,isS
hed by law 4, condemn the ssvstrads because
the ssvssde forbidden by law and BY such transparent
sharns has American Church been stripped Of Its power
and is purity and made the supple tool FIRE, Of Slavery and
now Of Rebellion, and free Diocesan Council mus!
SILVER and shake the echoes Of tho voice Of the Church
coming from distant and out "fsnstc'm" and
agitation" when they called upon to stand in the old
paths and to the that centuries de
soyed slavery England by fOrbidding to be sold Ike
brute animals
Apart from the question how my conduct seems TO you
appeal my printed speeches aud to the Of all who
present in the Convention Of 1862 whether exhibited
any lack Of calne esrnestness propre,y In maintain
the authority Of that ancient Canon and ursns IT, re-
solemn duty In the face Of oppos.on which
egaded alike the rule, Of order the appeals Of tho Bhhop
and the grave dignity Of Diocesan Council.
The Bishop Of Oxford. in his History Of she American
Church. quotes with approval views Of ts duty and the
Church historian Of the next century the
judgment contained in your resolution.
One thing may add that IT, It would seem, have mis-
represented the present vesy by adherence to the Canon
lO2 In opposition to tho novel views Of modern doctors
who would cua the power and province Of the Church
compel 1t silence In the headquarters Of the slavesde
do think tina. have nepsseDtsd the parish has
to its dignity and influence
Touching the probable effect Of your action and resolution
In the present posture Of affairs certainly differ In opinion
That your resolution would be approved In the Confederate
States and would be warmly commenied by Bishop Polk
firmly believe but do for that regard you Reb
els sympahizps with Rebels II had should not
have appealed you did TO exclude personal aud party
Dro from the Church and to rally for county
As you think my language this point has done you inus
yx1lic iIdio
dsavow recall all that has seemed yoa capable OF sloh
Interpretation.
accept your action you represent a. the exercise
your part Of right not dictated by personal political
tiyes but by tho single have ssnedtho belief
that tho Convention right to disppovs Of the slave
trade
have defended myself my hight. from your chsrsos
and after careful review Of the matter may that under
other circumstances your action would have afforded
incentive to earnest efforts to abolish those mon'ous
crmesssvery and the slsvotsde which at such moment
as this could disturb indirectly peaceful psrth
The savetrsde regard dead and regret that to the
Church belongs not the goy and as for Slavery congAtu
late you gentlemen as congratulate myself that on the very
day received your resolution the nation tho Executive
liked the day when Slavery Is to commence to die
Let that grand justified by tho laws of war; and com
pellsd BY military necessity and due regard
y with with justice and freedom gentle aud
long suffering let that grand act which esysts u, to
'u level with the spirit Of fathers the principles Of
our Constitution. lead to closer union IN behalf of the
Government now ntru'tsd with the destiny Of our Republic
and hrmer opposition to all Who IN this hour Of our peril
would rovvs party ines exploded Issues and aid bs
traitors Of the South BY dividing and the oy.
time at Of the North
In such Union. Gsnemsp for our country nothing
has past shall prevent joining you with hsar and hand
am. very respectfully. youn.
TAs Jay Homnfead. Oct ., 1862 JOHN JAY. |