Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-10
Ecclesia stical.
The Episcopal Convention ut Baltimore
A Little Breeze mOng the DcIegaIes-
Questions of Privilege. etc.

BALTIMORE, Oct. 9.-In the Episcopal con-
YentiOn, to-day, resolution expressive of the
grateful sense of the services to the church of
the late Bishop Chase, of N. H., was adopted.
November Sth was fixed for taking effect of the
union of the new diocese OF Pennsylvania with
the general convention. Rev. Or. Andrews, of
Virginia, rising to a question of privilege, al
luded 10 the sermon preached by the president
of this body and circulated in this house, which
contained document to which his, Andrews,
name appeared 10 be attached, and said he had
never signed the document Rev. Dr. Vinton,
OF Massachusetts, rose to similar question, and
began to speak of Rev. Mr. Craill s sermon, and
was called to order by Mr.. Whittle, of Georgia,
who claimed that hequestion was foreign to the
proceedings of the house, and no question of
privilege could arise from it,
DR.. Vinton said he had announced his pur-
pose; the gentleman could see whether he was
the author of any disorderly language.
Mr. Whittle apologized; he did not say the
gentleman pronounced anything disorderly, but
the paper he is making point of privilege is not
before the house.
DR.. Vinton said the paper was preliminary to
his remarks, and absolutely necessary to the
subject matter.
MIR. White disclaimed any intention of dis
courtesy.
The president did not think there was anything
in the sermon-which he preached in his own
parish church-whch could raise a question of
privilege,here The sermon had not been dis.
tribuIed in this house.
DIR. Andrews stated that copies of the sermon
had just been distributed through the press
DIR. Vinton said they came through the post
office, and were addressed to each delegate. He
then continued his address as follows: 81 think
there is privilege in opening a subject that it
may give the president an opportunity to say
whether he himself was instrumental i'm
this connection. | take the same privilege
my brother from Virginia has done in calling
attention to the paragraph in the thirteenth
page, i'll which am personally interested; l will
read it, The elder Tying, Vmton and Others
com prising all the weight of character in the
assembly, earnestly protested against the &C.
ton proposed by John Cotton Smith, the young
er Tying and their like; but the frebrands car
ried the day; and then the digni6ed protestators
signed the incendiary document-Americar
Churchmen, 1865 My question OF privileges is
this: That here is document, spread abroad
Systematically 10 all delegations and every
member of this body, which contains,
as far as | am concerned, by the
authority of the dignifed name of our presi-
dent, a falsity. The statement is untrue, and
therefore am glad of an opportunity of saying
| so much. l never protested against any docu-
| ment which was afterwards signed. Now, sir,
| in regard to general points. If, with the au-
| thority that belongs to the chair OF TINS Dody,
| this document has been circulated; IL II mas MS
| louisville. and must come here by consent,-it
| would appear as if it would bear presumption
| which is not a pleasant one. The question of
privilege is this: Is it right, and IS 1t to be per-
| mitted that documents assailing,-no other
word than that will answer my pur-
nose assdiling class of churchmen
| Of this Protestant Episcopal church
| of ours in as creditable standing as any
| other members, documents asSailing their char
acter or their doings in any form, shall be
studiously circulated among this body, in order
to stir up party strife? The text Oil that it
had been beautifully and aptly carried outi
what oil it might have spread upon the waters /;
but here, in a convention whose session has
been marked by remarkable pacific character
istics-thus far we come upon this Monday
morning, and find this pamphlet, deelaiming
severely in all manner of superlative language.
Now l wish this convention might pass some
act, by which such proceedings shall be pro-
hihited for tho future"
The matter was finally laid on the table,