Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-07-05
For the Knoxville Wits
HOIstOn Conference.


Mr., Editor II had the pleasure of witnessing
portion of tho proceedings of tho Holston Coafer.
once at Athens last month, under the auspices and
authority of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
The proceedings were of deep importance, boz
cause the action establishes the Conference on ba
sis loyal TO the government Of the United States,
The dignity yet great courtesy ind true christian
spirit exhibited by Bishop Clark, presiding, made
strong and favorable impression upon tho minds Of
members and visitors So far ~ | could learn, the
action Of the Conference was satisfactory TO all GA
cept small casa who II Is SAID will seek 10 perpe
uate the organization OF the NJ. T. Church South
Al an individual and citizen of Tennessee, would
hope that such efforts will not be made, as it can
only lead To unpleasant consequences to the efficient
parties concerned, without enecting any good to
Church or State, The principle involved may be
briefly stated The institution of slavery was the
cause Of separation, rather might say secession
OF that branch or body which has been denominated
The Church South And 10 the leading spirits in
that secession movement may be- Justly attributed
the primary motive power organizing and inaugur.
ating the late political rebellion. But 10 pass from
this point it is well settled fact beyond dispute or
controversy, that slavery as question, is thorough.
ly at rest, The only cause therefore holding tho
branch known as the Church South, from the NJ. L,
Church, has been removed--is wiped out-and hence
the two are practically, at least in theory one, and
must be practically unless the leaders of the church
South determine TO hold on to and cherish the doc.
! trinn of involuntary slavery This rs an mmadi-
ate principle can be the only controlling motive at
the same time, If the policy be supported by the
masses OF the members another important result
| will grow out of the action, viz aid comfort and
vitality will DO given to the spirit Of tho rebellion
A spirit of disafieetion to the government will DO
thereby deeply and secretly famed up and kept
burning, rs to burst out at future time In.
icting upon the country another series of bloodshed
carnage and devastation. At this particular time
all lovers of their country and of their race should
guard we'll their steps, especially if the ground they
tread may chance TO prove dangerous. Let me ask
the advocates of maintaining the organization of
the Church South In doing SO will you propose
openly any feature in tho light of doctrine and gov
eminent different from the NJ. 4. church, / think
your answer would be, No. If you thus answer,
you admit that your opposition is groundess--a.
least frivolous.
| But take another view The Southern States
almost without exception, are without an organized
civil government and must be supplied by military
administration until the organization of civil gov.
ernments are acceptable to the Chief Executive and
Congress The great effort on the part of the South
ern people now to be 10 restore law and order
and reorganize civil government, but how can such
reorganization be hoped for if the leaders of the
leading Church in the Southern States practically
hold up before the people, and instill into their
minds the very principles which lay at the bottom
of the rebellion. In other words can the civil au.
thorties heal the wounds of the body polite If the
clergy are actively decorating and inaaming them
If the actors in the late rebellion were guilty OF
treason, what offense would those now commit who
would give vitality to the of treason Treason
would be answered by echo II occurs to me that
if a man is true Methodist and an honest man, he
can have no desire to do otherwise than plant him.
self on the ground occupied by his patriotic fathers,
especially when in doing otherwise he stabs at the
sacred interests of his country and brings ruin upon
\ he hAaa crEcrAro