The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-11-10
dition Of the city, and . rigid enfbram..t :.
Snasantine we may hope to escape NV 49, Il


Inc Rev. d.. 4Kerfoot, of Trinity Colle,, /.
Hartford, Conn. has put ON paper his reasons
for voting against the political resolutiops
offered in the Protestant Episcopal Convention
at PhiladelphiA He Says. 80 asE 8 !
The importation Of d,alov.itx -. ?, ,.a 9
against any one who should vote To isv IN the
table certain resolutions which were nseent ~
give expreesioA TO the sentiments Of memheya
on national politics. My point Wa Chat ma
vote TO "lay on the table, need not touch anv
mans loyalty; that many who had so yoted On
SATURDAY, and might 60 vote to-day, were IS
loyal IN the most intense sense of the word 81
any man in the house. am such man n
fought secessionism and rebellion in Mhryland
Tor four years. face to face; In the very teeth
Of the rebel armies who held me. NV h0na
ana my work IN their grasp again and aQain.
maintained and declared my loyal convictions
and principles when implored BY secession
hienes TO change or withhold them for the
sake OF interests and works most dear to ne.
and even when the rebel generals held me- their
prisoner. with the threat Of long absence IN
the South as captive in their prisops. Idafied
any loyal man, In or out of the Convention. to
s1owa record Of loyalty clearer or stronger
than naine. Sll 81 ItE7tf E ff4f# TI1F77ol1s
Moreover. believe in every word, as far a.
ceaad recall the wordb OF these anc the ear.
lieY resolutions Of like tendency. Irejoicod in
the triumph. of the national suthority over the
rebellion. Iwould lay down my life to secure
that glorious result Lido thank, and alwavs
had thanked God, publicly and privately. for
this overthrow of the rebellion. No man
coula more honestly and heartily give such
thanks. So do rejoice from, my soul in the
destruction Of African slavery and praise God
Tor tbs 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 IS individuals. would not be
mistaken on this point and desire the press
TO note II and publish It "o'.o so %iElc q !"
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 distraction
could ensne II such resolves and such discus
sions were brought in among rs here. Our
duty as church legislature was limited to to.
pics OF religious doctrine and worship and of
the spread of the gospel. This is matter not
of loyalty to the national government 10 any
sense, bat solely of adherence to the right rule
Is tO.the topics Of our action here. 81 saa8
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.
Wig 60 beyond our duty as an ecclesiastical
convention and pass declaratory resolves
which must embarrass, perhaps expel, these
returned delegates? sfof1AdoJstEt >i9iI.
But still more, far more, did L care for nav
clerical brethren In the Northern dioceses, who
could not conscientiously consent to legislate
here on any such extra ecclesiastical matter,
andd 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,
uHgenerOus and unjust to represent this as the
point. tic point was simply this. Is it right