The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-05-15
CHICAGO.
An Exciting Season in the Methodist
Conference.

CHICAGO, May 1S.-1n the Methodist
Conference to-day, the following was
offered by Reys, Gilbert, Haven, New
man and Davis:
WHEREAS, The most solemn act to
which the Government OF the United
States, in Its judicial capacity, has been
called in all its history, Is near its con-
summation; and
WHEREAs, The failure of impeach-
ment of the President will subject the
greatest of our Generals, and all under
his authority, to the power OF an lniu-
rated Executive who has opposed every
law that. has been made to heal the ma
ton, ON the only true and permanent
basis, of equal rights TO loyal mem
and,
"WHEREAs, His release will also re-
animate the dying embers OF repeIiton
throughout all the South, ana saerlnSe nc
the lives of many of our fellow cltl-
zens. and thus cast all that region INTO
terror, distress and danger therefore,
WResolued, That the General Confer
ence OF the Methodist EPiscoPa!
Church, now in session, solemnly ana
earnestly iuvokes upon the Senate OF
the United States the blessing OF Al
mighty God that they may De gulGeu
in the great responsibility now QeVolV-
ing upon them; that tyrannicaI usur-
patton may be rebuked; that the au,
thority of law may be maintained
against the most dangerous hostlhty OF
an Executive who avoids his RESPONSE
bility to its obligation, and that the
peace and safety of our fellow citizens
in all the South may be secured.
ReSoLUed. That we hereby assign the
hour of to 10 o'clock on Friday fore
noon next to be devoted to prayer to
our God and Saviour that he may en-:
dow our Senators with wisdom, ana
guide them in the duty they are soon 10
discharge, SO that His righteousness
and peace may, through them, In our
beloved land, spring forth before all
n,tions."
The reading of these resolutions Gre
ated intense excitement throughoutths
Conference, and dozen or more mem
berf fsprang to their feet multaneously.
Mr.. Haven obtaining the floor hrst,
delivered short but earnest speech IN
support ofthe resolutions.
Rev. William n. GoOde spoke in OPP
position to them and moved to lay
on the table.
Several delegates expressed them
selves in favor of the last resolution,
but were opposed TO all the preceding
ones.
The whole of them were then laid on
the table. A motion was made by DR..
Harris to take up the preamble and the
last resolution.
DIR. Slicer, of Baltimore, spoke
against the motion; he was in favor OF
much prayer; he believed in its eftl-
cacy; members ought TO observe day
of fasting and prayer In view of our
national difficulties. But he wanted to
hear prayers that were free from parti-
san bias, that would be calculated to
promote harmony and good feeling.
DIR. Foster offered a substitute, that
one hour on Friday morning, from 8
o'clock to 0, be set apart by Confer
ence for:prayer in behalfof the country.
The previous question was ordered
on this substitute, and 1t was adopted.
The following is copy of the substt-
tute:
"wHEREAs, As body of ministers,
we have great confidence in the efficacy
of prayer on behalf of our country at
all times, especially in times of peril
and civil tumult.
"ReSoLUcd, That we set apart an hour
of the Friday morning session, from s
to 9o'clock, for prayer for our country
letter from Senator Henderson.
WAsHISaroN, May 14.-The follow
ing letter was addressed by Senator
Henderson to the Missouri delegates
that called on him a few days ago to
request him to withhold his vote If he
intended to cast it for the acquittal OF
the President:
WASHINGTON, d. c., May 13, '6S.
GENrLESrEN-Onye yesterday morning.
being assured by you that my position
on the impeachment question was not
only antagonistic to the unanimous
voice of the Union party of our State,
but would likely produce civil war and
bloodshed if it should result in the ac-
quittal of the President, 1 was under
stood to say, under the circumstances,
that rather than have such results fol-
low L would tender my resignation as
Senator and let some other person, as
my successor, execute what you sup
| pose to be the voice of the party that
sent me here and who have SO gener-
ously sustained me. And again, last
evening 1 stated to you that / was
willing to accept your views as
truly rejecting the wishes of our party,
and that thought it my duty to resign
if 1 found it impossible, on full - ex-
animation of the caseI to carry out
that will in some of the articles of i'm
peachment. 1 agreed to let you know
my conclusion To-day, in order that
you might consult further, if You
thought proper, and advise with the
Governor in regard to my successor.
Since that time L have seriously reflect
ed over the whole matter, and have
come to the conclusion that having
been sworn TO try this case on the prin-
ciples of impartial justice, and to render
a verdict according to the law and the
| evidence, cannot 5hirk or divide that
responsibility with others. 1t is for
the House to find articles of impeach-
ment, and it is for the Senate to try
them. If 1 resign before the vote 1t
strikes me have come short of my
oath, and as you are pleased to place
this matter on purely political grounds
YOU will permit me to say my
resignation will be of no possible ser
vice to you. A proper sense of delica-
cy would prevent my successor from
| voting, he not having heard the case,
and Won are aware that voting In the
negative and declining to vote, will be
practically the same. Should he torego
and secure conviction by his vote, the
manner of obtaining it will defeat
every conceivable advantage to be de-
rived. L have, therefore, resolved TO
stand by the obligations OF my oath,
and 10 honestly discharge my duties as
| IL is given me to know IL, and appeal
ing to Heaven for the rectitude OF my
intentiop, I am determined to follow
the dictates of my conscience, and trust
to a generous and upright people for
the yIndication of my conduct.
Your friend, ]. B. HENDERsoN.
| CANADA.