Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-06-06

change with the advance of the so-called |
.sspirit of freedom ?" Sir, we are progress
sve.r Ihave understood that there Is me-
mortal in circulation here for signatures
asking this Assembly to give an expression
I'M favor of NEGRO Suffrage" wen, BIZ, is
this to be made point In the new catechism
of "loyalty and freedom?" Why not, sir;
and even more than this? In the present
stage of this movement surely no questlons
could be more pertinent than such as tnese''
Are you in favor of immediate and per-
feet civil and social equality between the
whites and blacksp
Are you in favor of using the negroes 10
keep down the Roman atholics!
Are you in favor of negro suffrage!
Are you in favor of matrimony between
whites and blacks?
Let us know at least something about
this catechsm of freedom to be used oy Ine
Board, before we give them both the au-
thority to make 1t and the power TO ENFORCE
it as q test of the fitness of a Presby
minister to preach the Gospel of Christ TO
the Presbyterlans of Georgia ana Missls-
sippi. . r,a ,o All,
Mr.. Moderator, must now leave this
subject to the decision of this Assembly.
have endeavored to set it before them IN
something like its true nature and influ-
ence, as it appears to me. in the light OF
the best rules of judging / am able to ap-
ply to it. feel indeed conscious OF how
inadeuuately have succeeded in express
ing the Views / entertain upon the SUBJECT,
and how far have come short OF reaching
to its full magnitude and Importance. Yet
have aimed only at attaining the ends OF
truth and righteousness. j am conscious to
myself ofpbeing actuated by no other SEN
timents than those of the deepest love and
loyalty to my country, and OF supreme de-
votion to the good of the Church OF
my fathers and the glory of our
Lord Jesus Christ, her sole law
giver and king. My brother (Dr. Lord)
has said that we from Kentucky "are not
capable of Judging in such question as
this, because OF our sympathies." And has
not the brotherhiS sympathies? And If our
sympathies, who come from State where
brothers and sons and fathers have fallen
upon the same bloody field in fratricidal
strife incapacitate us from judging In this
matter, how, sir, are brethren who come
from other scenes of horror and sadness
with their sympathies, any more capable OF
Judging? The sentiment of the brother is
| founded in an utter fallacy, which would
dehumanize man as a condition OF his be-
ing able to Judge respecting the principles
| of Justice and the claims OF humanity. For
nv own part. as much as in me lies, have
from the beginning of this sad conflict aimed
10 rise above the fierce passions raging
around me. and to avoid as minister of
the Gospel of Peace, being so iden-
titled with either of the contending parties
as would preclude my ministeriDg to the
souls of each in the consultations of that Cos
pei. And it has been my mournful prvi-
lege to sit by the side of mothers whose
sons had fallen upon the same battlefield
as foemen, and to speak words of comfort
to them both from the same blessed Bible.
| am loyal to my country and AM loyal TO
Christ. And it is because am so that am
standing up here to speak thus In the pres
ence of this venerable Assembly. 1t is be-
cause | am thus loyal that | now entreat
them to pause-to consider well what they
are about to do-to stop before they take a
step full of consequences, so far-reaching
and SO full of peril. Brethren, take not
this fatal plunge. 80
/ thank the Assembly for its patient at
tention.