New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-06-01
The Presbyterian IN. 81 Geaersi Asacm'
bly, &C Brooklyn.

d
bly, 90 Bro0kiyu.
REPORT WITH REFERENCE TO THE FREEDMEN.
The following memorial and answer were
adopted by the General Assembly on Saturday Lasts
MEMORIAL no THE ASSEMBLY.
The undersigned, members OF the presbyterian
Church and connected with the General Assembly
would respectfully represent that In their judgment IL
Of the highest Importance to the future religions, so
cia aud political well being of the people Of this land
as il Is i, accordance with the law Of righteousness
expended by God during the history Of the great Re-
beor, that the Government shall promptly adopt such
principles and measures in the reconstruction Of society
In the reyoted States shall distinctly recognize the
rights OF citizenship ms inhefing in every man, Of what
class complexion, who Is and has been true TO
the country and the flag we therefore ask mat the
gard to this great subject az shall seem demanded BY
the circumstances OF the country ot this time.
ANSWER or THE COMMITTEE.
The memorialists In the paper placed before the
Assembly ask this body 20 adopt snch deliveranee in
regard to tho subject referred TO as shall seem de-
manded By the circumstances OF the country az tns
time" As there 10 no doubt In respect 10 thc rgnts
Of citizenship" az invested In loyal white people, the
ssAmby understands the memoristO have specially IN
view the case OF the Freedmen In their behalf 1t asks
for an expression Of opinion Us to their rights of citi
zenship"
The memorialists desire that the Freedmen. IRE
specvey Of the question Of OF color. be so CON-
peteiy enfsDel ised legally 10 invest them WIN AL
the privileges usually enjoyed BY citizens OF tnls coan
and most solemn questions OF the age Such people,
with such history, surrounded by such train OF
proydences. 10 large IN numbers 30 Intimately con
Dected with the great struggle from which tho Nation
is now emerging, so patient and hopeful during the
long night OF their bondage, 80 truly loyal
and faithfnl to the Government In tbs age
OF treason. furnishing such an important and
eminenty needed service to tho country IN the hour OF
Its peril many Of them personal sharers In tho sava-
ton and grace Of Christ and all OF them hitherto sup
ject TO dIsady antages social civil and political directly
All, nj. m
pursuits and prevent them from realizing their proper
destiny men, may veil claim the attention OF TINS
Assembly As 70 the duty Of making the most stFena.
elfts for their education, social evaton, ana
moral and religions culture tho duty OF giving them
the Bible preaching to them the pure gospel and IN
every possible way aiding them In becoming blessing
themselves and 20 the country there can be but one
opinion among all right thinking people. The Assem-
bly, Is happy observe an increasing tendency among
Christians 10 consider and perform this duty. Cod IN
His providence. has opened the door, and lie now IN
vtes His people to enter and reap most plentiful
harvest.
As TO tho specific question Of bestowing upon this
people all 'the rights OF citizenship In the great wofS
Of recons,ructing society in the revoed States e
erred to in this memorial, there may be an honest d
ference Of opinion among good and loyal men. arc
mcmoriasts believe that the Government suonid
prcupi, adopt such principles and measures in the re-
orggnzao II Southern society as will speedily secure
this result They do not specify what these measures
should be, but simply ask for speedy accom-
ine the ways and most proper to be adopted Tor
this purpose, heartily concur With the memorlahst5
in the end sought The Assembly moreover, believe.
that the sooner this end is gained the better II
will be for all casses That tho coored man should III
thin country enjoy the right Of suffrage In COMMON
with all other men. is but the simple dictate OF Justice
The Assembly perceive any good reason Shy he
should be deprived OF this right on the ground OF bis
color OF his race. Why then should not the back man
ir the reyolted states who u and has been true !"
the Country and the Flag anl hundreds Of thousands
OF whom baye fought for TINT Country and Flse BE- TT
once included AZ among The loyal persons upon
whom shall dcyoye the task m recODstrnctng southern
society Ibis the Assembly thinks to he the shortest
and safest method Of solving the problem most certain
10 gain tho result and prevent future EVIL 10 iars
q population cannot, In state OF freedom, De
long kept contencd without the enjoyment OF common
civil ard political rights. Possessing these riehts'
they viii be IN a position 20 be their own protectors
The enjoyment thereof viii gave them respectaDity
dig ufy their Labor elevate their desires quicken their
moral CONSCIOUSNESS, wakeL IN their minds those
hopes and high aspirations upon which the proper
de' eorment Of humanity so largely depends. Po--
session II these rights Is the quickest method u pre-
pairing them for their proper use. There can be no
doubt OF their loyaly they are, and they
have been. the friends OF tho Government;
aud IN this they have sHOwn more wisdom than
most OF their former masters. IL these men are
fit Tor tho duties 81 the camp and garrison as soldiers
the PIesEmpu9n Is that they are no; less competent ior
the duti-s citizenship. To ths result the country
last; and 10 the judgment of this Assem-
bly, will be lost than gained By efforts 10 post
pone H. IL IS better To NEE! the question at once ana
settle in accordance with the rights 81 man the prin
clpe~ OF political system. and tho clear indications
OF DIVINE PROMINENCE ANY proper eHorln OF lhls ID
Authority looking toward this result will receive the
sympathies Of this Assembly: nor can ibis As
remhy doubt that they viii be ultimately sustained by
the great majority q. the American people.
II Is not the purpose Of this Assembly ia this deliver
ance argao question at length but simply 90 ind
cate its conviction IN respect 10 the point Intended In the
memoria and " possible u say word that may Gu
courage The Government In the discharge ~ it,
different duties The prayer Of the Assembly is hat
tie Government may be guided by wisdom AID justice
applying these cardinal qullites 10 all classes and all
men and that all the people discipned by Providence
aud instructed by the trials Of the past. may learn
practice that Righteousness which eNniIeth nation
The report presented by DR.. Spear having been ac
ceptad ordered 10 be sent the President OF the
United States TO each member Of his Cabinet and Ia
Mrs. Lincoln.
A cotemporlry Of ours has made mistake IA calling
the memorial memorial 10 the President The whole
document memorial and reply 10 be sent above
stated; but tie memorial was from individuals 10 the
General Assembly. 10 be- answered. u was, by the
Committee on Bills and Oye!ures DR.. Spear. Chair
man.