The Portland daily press., 1863-08-18
The Address from 1000 Clergymen.


The Address from 1000 Clergymen.
Rev. DIR. Massie, the bearer of the address
of 1000 clergymen of England, to their breth-
rem in America, expressive of their sympathy
with the North in its efforts To suppress a
causeless rebellion having for its object the
extension Of slavery and the degradation of
white labor, held a meeting at DR.. Dwights
church, on Sunday evening last, for the pur-
pose Of defining the position of the people of
Great Britain, and the object of his mission
to this country.
The body of the house was well filed and
the interest in the remarks of DR.. Masse was
intense and undated, from the beginning to
the close, Notwithstanding he occupied about
an hour and a half The desire was univer-
sally expressed to have the address repeated
in the City Hall, when our citizens could
more generally have the privilege of enjoying
an intellectual treat.
. DIR. NJ. read select portion of Scripture,
not, as he said, for the purpose of preaching
sermon, but as the foundation of the remarks
he might make. He spoke of the wrong i'm
preston that had obtained in this country in
relation to the position of Great Britain OH
the existing rebellion. He said the ar
istocracy of England, of which the London
Times is the organ, embracing large proper
tion OF the established church, were generally
in sympathy with the South. But the pro-
ducing classes-the mechanics, the artizans,
the laborers-were almost universally in SYM
pathy with the North. The London Times OPP
posed Wilberforce and those noble men who
labored SO ardently and successfully to eman-
cipate the slaves of St. Domingo and other
Islands under the dominion of the British
government. 1t opposed the anti-corn league
until it became so popular that its opposition
was harmless. 1t has never recognized, in its
columns, the non-conformists, although they
embrace more than half the worshiping as
sembles of London. 1t speaks for the aristoc-
racy of England, and knows nothing and cares
for nothing except what may suit their taste
and strike pleasantly on their ears. 1t does
not give utterance to the voice of the people
who really have a controlling power in Great
Britain at the present moment He spoke of
the large and enthusiastic meetings that had
been held in different sections of Great Bri-
tain to give expression of the feelings of SYM
pathy that everywhere existed for the North,
to enlist on the side of the South the feelings
of starving thousands in Manchester and vi
entity and in other sections of Great Britain,
who are out of employment m consequence OF
this rebellion, by endeavoring to make them
believe that the North was the cause of their
present misfortune; that it was owing to the
blockade, ordered by the North to prevent
cotton from coming to England. But these
hard-handed mechanics raised their bony flu
gers toward the heavens and declared they
would rather starve than thow any obstacle
in the way Of those who are endeavoring to
put down slavery and elevate labor. He said
the movement to get up an address of sympa-
thy to our Christian brethren in this country
commenced in France. or the HOO Protes-
tant clergymen of France 700 signed the adj
dress He said there were in France about
$4,000 Catholic priests and as many Catholic
teachers, every one of whom was known to.
Louis Napoleon and through whose agency
he was enabled to carry on successfully war
with Mexico. He said the address was sent
to England and circular was addressed to
every Protestant clergymen in England,
Ireland and Scotland, and 1900 clergy
men, mainly non-conformists, attached their
names to it. He was entrusted with the i'm
portant mission of bearing it to this country
and presenting it to the various churches as,far
as the time allowed him would permit. He
had visited Washington and had a private in
terview with the President, who expressed
the deepest interest in the object of his mis-
sion. He spoke in the highest terms Of the
President and the pleasure derived from his
visit at the White House. He said he called
on Lord Lyons who also gave the movement
his most unqualified appreciation. Said every
where he had been he was received in the
most cordial manner. After making these
preliminary remarks and explanations he read
the address Of the clergymen of France and
England, which expressed their warmest SYM
patty in our attempts to elevate labor and
overthrow the vile institution OF slavery. 1t
gave evidence of a thorough knowledge of
the issues involved in the war, and while they
did not propose in any objectionable manner
to interfere with our movements, or to dictate
to us the course we should pursue, they wish
ed to give us the assurance that their sympa-
thies were with us, and their prayers for our
success were constantly going up to Heaven.
DIR. Massie is very 1orcible and pleasing
speaker, with the power of retaining the un-
divided attention of his audience. The gem
tleman whose agent he is, could not have Sc
lected better man for the work assigned him.
He leaves this city for the West, where we
trust he will be kindly received and patiently
listened TO.