The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-11-10

Ihe Rev. D.. Kerfoot, of Trinity COLLEGE.
Hartford' Conn.,. has put on paper his reasons
for voting against the political resolution.
offered In the Protestant Episcopal Convention
At Philsdelphia. He SAYS: = ;,
The importation Of disloyalty was made
against any one who should Vote to isv On M
table certain resolutions which were mesnt ~
give expressioa to the sentiments Of merch.,s
on national politics. My point vas thst tSis
vote to "lay on the table, need NOT toncs snv
mans loyalty; that many who had 40 vote.i IN
Saturday. and might 60 vote TODAY. were "a
loyal In the most intense sense of the word. A
any man In the house. I am such q man. T
fought secessionism and rebellion in Maryland
for four years, face to face in the yery teeth
OF the rebel armies who held me, my home
ana my work In their grasp again and again.
maintained and declared my loyal conyictiona
and principles when. implored by secession
hiends to change or withhold them for the
sake OF interests and works most dear to me.
and even when the rebel generals held me their
Rfs0nei; Win Inc threat Of long absence in
the south as q captive in their prisons. Idefied
any loyal man, in or out of the Convention. to
show q record of loyalty clearer or stronger
than mine. 57if" >--eo,l
Moreover. believe in every word. as far "a
coald recall the w0rdb of these anc the ear.
lier reeolutions Of like tendency. Irejoiced in
the triumph. of the national suthority over the
rebellion: Iwould lay down my life to secure
had thanked God, publicly and privately, for
this overthrow of the rebellion No man
could more honestly and heartily give such
thanks. So do / rejoice from my soul in the
destruction of African slavery and praise God
for this great mercy. No man can do this
more honestly or heartily. My whole soul
goes cut In praise for these great mercies to us
as nation and as individuals. I would not be
mistaken on this point and desire the press
TO note It and publish it 'a.a ,.Er' j ~
But my point was that this church conven.
ton was not the place tor declarations on these
or on any distinctly national topics, civil or
social except in direct and necessary connec.
ton with an ecclesiastical and religious work.
Only mischief, confusion, grief and distinction
could ensne IT such resolves and such discus.
sions were brought in among us here. Our
duty as church legislature was limited to to.
pics OF religious doctrine and worship and of
the spread of the gospel. This IL q matter not
OF loyalty to the national government 10 any
sense, bat solely Of adherence to the right rule
as tothe topics of our action here. "a
Just here. moreover, there were among us
delegates from the dioceses of the South, well
coined here by formal resolution, who could
nOt-and all knew this-vote aye on these re-
solves, touching points Of political opinion, &C.
Why 60 beyond our duty as an ecclesiastical
convention and pass declaratory resolves
which must embarrass, perhaps expel, these
returned delegates? '1TtdoIsG 49,
But still more, far more, did care for nay
clerical brethren In the Northern dioceses, who
could not cOnscientioussy consent to legislate
here on any such extra ecclesiastical matter.
and who had earnestly requested me to bsing
out this protest, that loyalty to the country
was not in the question at all It was untrue.
ungenerous and unjust to represent this as, the
point. tic point was simply this: Is it right
to lezislaie here, by way Of political NANTES.
tatioss, GU such topics Of civil polity, history
and dutya We cay 1t is wrong and sinful as
we'll as unwise and hurtful. This is the con.
science Of US loyal clergymen. Many u,,st
loyal clerical brethren had urged me thus to
speak for myself and for them. 3a ID