Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-06-06
ODQIo Statesnra1,

Expulsion OF Rev. w. m. Ferguson
from the Old school Presby terian
General Assembly. .. ... ....,f
We copy the following report of the
proceedings in the Old School Presbyterian
General Assembly, upon Mr.. SAMUEL GAL
LowAY's question of privilege" against
Rev. w. NJ. FERGUSON, Of Washington,
Ohio, from the 50. Louis Republican of
June lst: ,ooo
ST.. LOUIS, May 81, 1866.
After devotional exercises and the read
ing of the minutes,
Mr. Galloway rose to a question of privi-
le0e, and read from THE OHIO STATESMAN a
communication from st. Louis to that pa
per, over the signature sig" rejecting
upon his character and that OF the General
Assembly, said to be written by Rev. W. NJ
Ferguson, a member of the General Assem-
bly,, from the Synod of Ohio.
Dr. Krebs offered the following
ResoLUed, That unless the Rev. w. M.
Ferguson forthwith retract the offensive
publication. and make an ample apology TO
the satisfaction of this house, he be imme-
diately expelled.
The Moderator having waited suitable
length of time for an explanation or re-
traction. and Mr.. Ferguson having declln-
ed to speak, the Moderator took the vote
and the resolution was adopted, when the
Moderator declared Mr.. Ferguson to be eX-
PEELED from the Assembly.
Mr.. Ferguson having declared that ne
had not understood that an explanation
was at that time demanded, the vote was
on motion Of DR.. Krebs, recOnsidered, in
order to renew to Mr.. Ferguson the OPP
portunity he had declined to use before the
resolution to expel him should be adopted.
Mr.. Ferguson then made an explanation,
as follows:
Rev. Mr.. Ferguson.-In regard to the
article which Mr.. Galloway read, / ac-
| knowledge that wrote it. wrote 1t un-
der excitement, shortly after MIR. Galloway
spoke. My attention was afterwards called
| to one fact, which was mistake-thaC the
matter was stated alphabetically in re-
gard to DIR. Boardman that it was stated
'.if so and so occurred" Sc. The manu-
script had gone, and | was sorry had
stated it in that particular. In regard to
| the other facts, can state that they are all
| true; that members on the side OF the
| house to which Mr.. Galloway belongs, SAID
| those things to me, and that they were
very sorry that he had done so; and as for
|
gard to posture this house is my witness,
| / had heard Mr.. Galloway before, but had
never seen him make such an exhibition OF
! himself; and | confess, ulder the undue
! excitement of sorrow that my friend Gallo
way had acted so. wrote with greater
strength than perhaps was iudicious or
proper for Christian minister, and II
! had had the manuscript afterwards, OF
course it would have been great deal
modified But the very things referred to
in that letter have been spoken OF either by
citizens of this town or members OF this
house, in both the street cars and on the
steps of the church. regret exceedingly
that these things should have gone forth,
to the injury of MIR. Galloway, and under
other circumstances, ii done over again,
| should not write them ju't in that form
Nv apology for this is, | expected Mr.. Gal
loway to be conservative man on this
subject. lie and were in discussion last
October, in the Synod of Ohio, when a
resolution was brought up to cordially in
dorse the General Assembly, and he arose
i'm his seat and said: II move cordially be
struck Out-that do not cordially indorse
the General Assembly in all particulars
| respected the brothers conscience and
feelings, and hence, when he came out that
day in the extreme radicaliSm of the hour
| was undoubtedly thrown off my bearings,
and wrote these things under the spur OF
the moment, and hope that if in so doing
have Injured the dignity of the house, and
the character of that brother whom
greatly respect, will be excused for this
and that there will be no undue severity OF
advantage taken. For Mr.. Galloway, per-
sonally, have kind feelings towards him
and nv heart is right, however my head
| l. IN pNnitnnnnt
/ this Assembly. with these nerves OF mine
that are not entirely stable, | may have
penned things derogatory somewhat to the
decorum of the house, and hope, so FAR as
have injured the decorum, | may be eX-
cused. and that all the members, individ-
uitllv and cODiointly, may be more careful
of the dignity OF the house than they have
been; or if there is IA committee appointed
and further explanation necessary, | an
willing to meet with them. | have no hare
feelings against any man or individual.
repeat again that wrote under the spur o
the moment. 1t is my first error in thl'
particular, and ask therefore that you viii
not visit me with that censure that thi
house seems willing to vOte-Or the grea
majority of them. will say as far as tina
statement about DR.. BOardman is concern
ed, did not hear Mr.. Galloway Alright. III
did use the language that was there, but i
was in a Hypothetical sense, and not posi-
lively. This is the explanation have t.
make, and If committee is appointed t.
hear any further explanation. and Brothe
Galloway wishes it, am willing to ap'
pear before them, and if have erred | an
willing to be forgiven. / viii not be s.
severe hereafter, but will tell the truth il
another way. . .g......,..
Mr.. Mcknight then offered the following
as an amendment to the resolution of Dl
Krebs: .St. .tl
ReSolved, That the Rev. w. M. Fegrusor
a commissioner to this General Assembly
because of gross, abusive and scandalou
libel publishedin The ONO STATEsMAN o
members of this body, which he has nov
qualified in the presence of the Assembly
is entitled to and does hereby receive tn
grave censure of this Assembly. .
Variousresolutions, toamend and to com
NIT to a committee, were proposed, whic
were all laid upon the table in order tla
by general CONSENT DIR. krebs might offe
the following resolution, viz: 'n ~s.T
ReS0l0ed, That whereas the Rev. w, n
Ferguson, a commissioner to this Generi
Assembly, is, by his own acknowledgment
guilty Of writing and publishing in tn
ONO STATESMAN, a gross, abusive, scandal
ous libel against members of this Assembly
and against the Assembly itself; and al
though he has qualified it in the presenc
of this Assembly this morning, his explains
ton is not deemed satisfactory. ,...,
ReSolyed, That the Rev. w. M. Fergu
| son he forthwith eXpelled as a member (