The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-31
THE QUAKER CONFERENCES.
Fourth Days Proceedings Of the Unitarian
Friends-Proposed Prohibition-Interesting
Battles Among tho Peacemakers-
The Orthodox Yearly Meeting

yesterday morning, 6lLnOu8n NJ Ten O'CLOCK IL
began to rain plentiful foods from the sky, the
meeting at Rutherford place was as large on the
day before. The morning hour In the mems session
was almost wholly consumed with the reading OF
last years. record OF the proceedings Of the Confer
ence. Aaron M. Powell, however, unburdened him.
self further on the question Of intemperance and
the Indians which was also brought up in more
decided manner in the afternoon. The women,
more quietly Industrious and less argumentative
employed the time in Fastening their routine bust
ness among which was the preparation OF separate
epistles for each OF the correspondent yearly meet
ings. The essays which the committee reported
were accepted In the cases OF the Genesee, Balti
more and Iowa Quakers.
AFTERNOON PROCEEDINGS.
Intemperance was the theme OF lengthy discus
sion, in which it clearly demonstrated that the
peaceful "Friends" were never through mistake
OF creation, made quite exempt from human pas
sons The mild faces OF one or two irascible men,
bers waxed red their tones waxed hasty and en-
phatic and they themselves, to descend to John
Hays pdtOtS, waxed each other most numerically
in or two isolated but cuttingly sarcastic at
tacks. But the grave decOrum OF the body ever re-
NAMED dominant and the majority of the debaters
maintained The careful composure OF men who
studied their own natures at every step.
The report of the Committee on Intemperance
was read and the particular instance OF an appeal
upon the subject from subordinate conference
was referred back to the minor meetings with ex-
pressions Of sympathy, interest ana advice.
Through Aaron M. Powell memorials were pre-
sented, which 1t was proposed to send to the State
and National Legislatures A synopsis Of that to
Congress is as foOws:-
The Importation, sale and manufacture Ofintoxi-
eating liquors having engaged our consideration,
we wish seriously to call your attention to It, 1t is
wholly unnecessary as traffic. and 1t supplies
more inmates OF insane asylums at stated pensions
otherwise would the government have the right to
license this fruitful source OF crime On
Indian civilization is struggling for life, the power
Of wbskey is what kindles names fpassions and ex-
cites the terrible sping OF blood We believe the
asked, in the consideration of this subject by ap
manuiacture sale and importation Of ali intoxicat
ing liquors; but they would hail with Joy any modi-
fcation Of the laws Of the land approaching this
For the State Legislatures he had prepared sepa-
oIogy. more adapted to The manner of address,
which s essential In such document.
tna w a,s Two elderly ladies' walked
up the aisle to the clerks desk and handing him
some documents, withdrew In silence.
is PROHIBITION CONSTITUTIONAL
The memorial for Congress was then discussed.
THOMAS d. HAYNES opposed the prohibition law
ing that its passage would but lead to It's evasion
EFFINGHAM Cock liked the memorial, but thought
it was asking the Lawmakers TOO much-to do
AARON NJ. POWELL said that 1t was as nearly as
possible copy Of the memorial sent by the Phil
State, a document prepared by William Dorsey.
They planted their position, and as people 1t was
OF the dscpne 70 put on the ground
of thorough prohibition. They were on the most
stringent ground of any religious denomination
IT. hot 10 ha chn han
He asked that the statutes OF the nation and OF the
States should conform to the requirements OF duty
the matter. 1t was precisely the same as a
short decade ago the prediction was made
that slavery could never be abolished II
now, he thought that 1t would make sensation,
but that it would be denied consideration. But he
believed that the voice OF truth, which asks that
the trafc be made illegal, Is not asking for what
was impracticable. One more point he had to dis
cuss. 1t was in behalf of that far distant region,
where
THE INDIAN SUFFERS FROM MANY CAUSES,
that he was then speaking. They were the victims
their civilization and progress as the presence and
influences OF Intoxicating spirits me experiment
OF Indian redemption would fail largely II this
measure ia not favored and seconded, and il Con.
gress do not go forward with 1t.
The German Quaker, RUDOLF GoERCK, said that
there was but one religion strong enough to over
come this evil. In this memorial he thought they
had departed somewhat from the Gospel OF Jesus
Christ, and had made themselves more like follow
ers OF Mahomet, to whom wine was forbidden
thing.
EFfIYGHAM Cock said Friends are very much
concerned In relation TO the movements In the
churches of other denominations to have inserted
into the constitution recognition OF the Christian
religion. lie did not oppose this, because he did
not recognize the Christian faith before II the
precedent were established 1t would follow
that there would ensue more Entertainments
upon liberties by organized bodies OF religious
people. This movement had the same character as
that which attempted to place limit on what one
should drink. But it Is easy TO control an action
in some things which in other things would en-
croach on liberty.
AARON G. MACY saw no parallel in the cases.
There then ensued the expression OF much oppo-
siton after which the favorable party would again
| come up winning
| THOMAS FouLKE thought the memorial asked for
| something that was impracticable and unconsti-
! tutional.
| NATHANIEL s. MERRITT opposed the sending OF
| the memorials, which would be attended by not the
| slightest hope OF success
| gray-headcd Friend said that the memorial ap-
peaTed to him be the true sentiment OF the meet
ing to be expressed TO the Legislature, asking that
nation and State both pass laws OF prohibition. He
i did not understand why Friends would go out OF
the way to bring up such arguments as the uncon-
stltutonality Of the law which even the children oil
| the world would not find.
The discussion OF the memorial still continued
! with some excitement. At length Aaron @. Macy
| arose and said He knew intemperance to be the
greatest evil in the country; war; even with all Its