Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-10-30
SLAVERY AND THE wAR-vlEwS OF THE BfSH

IA
OP OF VERMONT-THE PROTESTANT EPlSlO-
PAL CHURCH OF TIE UNITED STATES DE-
NORALlZED BY THE PREVAILING INSANITY
A NOBLE PROTEST.
"The right reverend Aonzo Potter, D. D., Bishop Of
the Diocese of Pennsylvania" backed by number oil
his clergy, having presumed TO publish formal con
deuinaton of the views long held and openly aVo"ed
by the venerable Bishop Hopkins OF Vermont at present
We think Presiding Bishop Of the church in the United
state that learned and manly ecOesastic rebukes his
Pennsylvania brother in the following severe but dgni
fed terms
Ihsve seen, with great amazement protest against
INV letter on the "Bibe View of Slavery" signed by you
aud long list OF your clergy, in which you condemn it
as 'unuorthy of any servant If Jesus Christi as Eau
fort TO sustain, Bible principles, the States in re-
belon against the government in the wicked attempt
TO establish by force of arms, tyranny in the name OF
a republic whose corner stone shall be the perpetual
bondage Of the African, aud as such you say that il
challenges your "indigRdnt rsprobation."
Now, my right reverend brother, l am sorry to be
Obliged 10 charge you, not only with a gross insult
against your senior but with the more serious offence
OF faIse accusation. My letter was first published in
January 1861 than three months before the war
began AZ q time when could anticipate the form
of government which the Southern States should adopt
or The course which Congress mig take in reference
To their secession. And when consented to it5 repub
lication did not suppose that would be used in the
service of any political party, although had no right
to complain If used, because the letter. once
published became public property. But in its present
form there is nothing whatever in it which bears the
question of rebellion" Of the perpetual bondage
of the African" or of tyranny under the name OF
republic" of which slavery should be The corner
stonen On the contrary referred, on the last page,
10 nv lecture Published in BufllO in 1885, and to my
~ 1. .Eals
York in 1851 where set forth The same views the
subject of slavery, adding however, plan Tor its grad
nal aboli'i,n whenever the South should consent and
the whole strength of the government could aid in its
accomplishment" "SOoner or later" added, 81 be-
lieve that some measure Of that character must be
adopted Ba it belongs to the slave States themselves
10 take the lead In suGn a movement And meanwhile,
their legal rights and their natural feelings must be
spected if we would hope for unity aud peace"
With these facts before your eyes, am totally at a
loss TO imagine how even ths Gxtravagance Of party
zeal could frame against me 20 bitter denuncation.-
The whole object OF my letter 10 prove, from the
Bible that in the relation CT master aud slave there was
necessarily 10 sin whatever The sin, if there any,
Law ia the treatment of the slave aud not in the relation
ITSELF of course it was liable to abuse, all human
relations must be. But while it certain that thou
sands of cur Christian brethren who held slaves were
IT, ing them with kindres aud justice according to the
Apostes' rule and earnestly labOfing TO improve the
comforts and amehorate the hardships of the institution
held it TO be crue and absurd charge to them
as sinners against the Divine law, when they only
doing what the Word of God allowed under the Consli-
tution and established code Of their country.
do not know whether your band Of indignant re-
prcbaGonsts ever saw my book published in 1857 but
YOU read it, because sent you copy, and have your
letter of acknowledgement in Which, while you dssented
from Of my conclusions, you did it With the cour
tesy OF Christian gentleman. In that letter there is
mott ing ssid about my opinions being unworthy Of any
servant OF Jesus Christ and nothing Of indignant
probation" But, Temporal mutanhr, ct nos mHStdnm
IN lbs
Yes the times are, indeed sadly changed, and you
have changed accordingly. For many years you have
met in brotherly council with these Southern slave
holders You invited them 10 the hosptaltes of your
house and paid them especial Difference. The light
of Eastern Abolitouism had not yet risen within our
church, and if you then thought you think you
took excellent care that man amongst your Southern
friends should know it. Moreover, your favorite The
oloeical Seminary only three years ago, the Vr-
MIA school Alexandra raised to great prosperity by
Bishop Meade, slIvehOlder, and am very sure that
nothing at variance with the Bible view Of slavery was
taught h that institution. Yes may well say of you
as OF many others udntlHn Biitdtus db lilo How
changed is the shop Of Pennsylvania in three years.
from bis former of peace and Scrip
tural consistency!
But the Word of God has not changed; the doctrine
of the Apostles has not changed the Constitution of
religious truth and civic loyalty remain just as they
ere; and remain along with them, Notwithstanding
this bitter and assault from you and your clergy
do not intend to initiate your late style of vtupeTa
tor for trust that l have learned, when am
reyed not to reve again. respect the good opinion
of your clergy, and am not aware that have done
anything to forfeit il. respect your Office your tai
ents your personal character and the wisdom and sue
cess with which, for many years, your Epscopate has
been CO nducted But do not respect your departure
from the old and well settled rule of the church. and
ftom the Apostolic law Of Christian fairness and cour-
tesy do rot believe in the modern discovery of those
Eastern phiIauthropsts who deny the divinity of
Redeemer, and attach importance to the Bible e1-
cept as it may suit themselves. do not believe that
the veneraed founders OF our American Church we're
ignorant of The Scriptures and blind 70 the principles
Of Gospel morality.
/ do Lot believe in the modern discovery of those
Eastern phianthropiss who deny the divinity of
Redeemer and attach no importance to the Bible ex-
,ept as 1t may suit themselves. do not believe that