The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-05-01

feeling to be expected in political con-
vention, displayed in conventions theologi-
cal. 1t has been done to sorrowful ex-
tent in the conference of the Methodist
Church held last Saturday in New York,
where the venerable Bishop Scott presided.
A report on the state of the nation was
presented by Rev. Alfred Goodman. This
document, besides expressing the fervent
loyalty of the conference to the admins
tration, went aside to repeat the current
abolition dogmas respecting slavery. Ac-
cording to the published account of the
meeting:-
The reading of the report was frequently in
terrupted by loud applause. The resolutions
which denounced slavery, and treason" at the
North, created scene of a most wild enthusi-
asm. The clergy rose, en- masse, and marked
their approval of them by cheers, clapping of
hands, stamping their feet on the ground, and
other modes of applause to which a council of
reverends might be supposed stranger.
The Bishop seemed most disconnected at the
event, and at once declared that he disapprOved
of the manner in which the members indicated
the approval of their report.
Some random speaking followed, in
which but little respect was paid to the re-
buke of the Bishop, when a Rev. DIR. Os-
born, of White Plains, proceeded to give
his views on "Copperheads." He said
that
During the year past his mind had been in
constant state of anxiety about his beloved
country, and he had to contend against a great
deal where he lived-the infamous Copperheads
were as thick as backberries, and they were
obstinate. too. When he saw them daily, he
often hoped within himself that thrashing a
man well might become one of the Christian
virtues, that he might be able constantly to dig
into such fellows. daughter and applause.) y
If he were President Lincoln, instead OF sus-
pending the habeas corpus, he would suspend
the Copperheads. (Applause.)
Another divine, Rev. Mr.. Foster, de-
clared he had been "in favor of war be-
fore a gun was fred" and after giving
glory to God for our defeats, from Bull
Run the first to Bull Run the last, hoped
the war would continue till the hellish,
devilish idea of contempt for the North
was whipped out of the Southern mind
"To accomplish this object, he did not
care if the war went on for one, two, or
ten years.
We quote again:
Rev. j. B. Wakely desired to inform the
conference that the proper way to treat a Cop
perhead was to stamp their heels upon him.
The speaker stamped his feet violently on the
floor. which drought down" the house. Rev.
Mr. Fox remarking: Brother Wakely, did you
make hole in the floor that time? laugh
ter.)
The stormiest scene of the session was
caused by the vote of two clergymen, who
had supported the resolutions in favor of
the Union, but who refused to endorse the
abolition declarations of the report The
gentlemen who thus expressed themselves
were Rev. Mr.. Cattell, presiding elder of
the Rhinebeck district, and Rev. Mr.. Set
leck, of Ulster county.
Loud cries were raised for Mr.. Cattell to ex-
plain himself and show his loyalty" and sew
eral membess pressed around him. At length
he appeared near the pulpit and declined to
makes speech. Some ministers declared he
should be excused, while others exclaimed:
"Bring him up" put the screws on him, )"
shes not loyal" and other kindred express
IONS
Mr.. Cattell said he had been dragged up be-
fore them to explain his views, and if they
would force him to speak he would do so. He
and his family were from the Puritan stock,
and were born in Massachusetts,, and he loved
the Union. But he would tell them he would
not swallow any resolutions on slavery.
QIisses.) Ten years since he was loyal man,
when those who now questioned his loyalty
were the reverse, and when they did all to OPP
pose and embarrass the government. cloud
hisses.) The administration was then sup
ported by the whole North; they were not
embarrassed, as was said in the report. (Cres
of mo, no" "false, and loud hisses.) He had
right to his opinion, and he would SO express
himself. (Cries Of mo-" ''sit DOWN. He
would support the government in every just
constitutional measure 10 carry on the war, but
he would never give up his right to free speech.
loud hisses.)