Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-01-28
For, the Spectator.
ReplY to "a Presbyterian

Reply to "a Presbyterian :"
The Vimdicator having declined to insert, ex-
cept as an advertisement any reply to the COM
munication of "a Presby terrain in its last ISSUE
AS am just on the eve of leaving Staunton for
a protracted absence must necessarily write in
some haste.
l thank "a Presbyterian for calling my at
ting Foote l faithfully followed Prof. Geo f
Dabney ('ReIigious Prosecutions in Va. Chris
tan Review, vol. xiii p. 2l6) and DR.. Howell,
('EaIly Baptists of Va" p. 10Y. But am now
satisfied that these writers Inexperienced Foote.
and that his language quoted by them and by me
was not made with reference to the Presby terrain
Memorial of 1875 regret the error, and cheer
fully make this correction. Whether Foote's
language WAS applicable to this memorial, let
ych one Judge for himself While it is an able
and in many respects a noble document, it con-
tains one clause which seems somewhat 20 point
TO the modified plan OF asse ssment which Hano-
yer Presbytery afterwards presented to the As
semby. Here is the clause. They ''entreat that
all, of every religious sect may be 9 exempted
from all taxes for the support of any church
whatsoever further than what may be agreeble to
their own prlvae choice or voluntary oblga-
ton - Foote. l. p 32l This looks like con
sent to be taxed by the State for the church OF
their own choice But if any place a different
construction upon the language do not care to
contest the point
Except in the matter of the quotation from
i
even controGictcd any statement of mine. Though
he says that the paragraph touching the final
struggle on the assessment contains many err
rors," he does not specify one.
Instead he proceeds to give proof that Pres
by ,ians did much for Rengious Freedom. This
| never denied, but on the contrary. explicitly
admitted, and following the dictates OF my heart,
paid a glowing tribute to the memorial of the
convention which met at Bethel. (This passage
was delivered extempore al was referred to by
the reporter Of the VindicGtor but not being
written out in my manuscript, did not appear IN
the Spectator But for lack OF time, L would
glad v have referred in detail to what was done
by Pres bvterians for Religious Freedom But
had in nv preceding discusses eulogized var-
Gus things in the different Christian denomina-
tons, and on this occasion, being pressed for
time aimed to say nothing which was not i the
straight line of my argument. In the historical
work which shall soon publish will be stated
not only with fairness but with fulness the part
lin the main noble one) borne by the Presby-
terians of Virginia in the struggle for Religious
Freedom. [ did claim, however and do claim
that while they did much and well. they Were
sometimes divided and sometimes wavered, nei-
Their of which was the case with the Baptists.-
This last claim is not disputed and in proof of
the former, I adduce the following testimony
foom unm peachabie witnesses. And let none
blame me- or think nnkindly of me for citing
in christian spirit these facts of history.
In 1884 the Presbytery of Hanover then lac
cordng to "a Presbytersn'') representing all
the Presbyterians in Virginia" presented me-
mortal to the Assembly, in which they object
not to an assessment. but only to some features
which had been proposed. They say, Should 1t
be thought necessary at present for the Assem-
bly to exert this right Of supporting religion IN
general by an assessment on all the people. we
would wish it to be done the most liberal
plan" They add plan" 'agreeably to which
alone Presbytery are willing to admit general
assessment for the support of religion by law"
Here are some of the features OF their plan ::
L. liz. Iyon1 IN
instruction $ :" be maintained 81 3 by-a general
asses sment for the purpose. That every man, rs a
90 d c.tz n be obliged to declare himse fattached
to some religious community publicly known to
profess the belief of one God, his righteous Prov
idence our accountableness to him, and fd-
ture state of rewards and punishments That eve
ry citizen should have liberty to direct his as
sessed proportion to such community as he
chooses 'Messrs, Todd, Graham, Smith and
Montgomery are appointed to present tho me-
morial and attend the Assembly with the plan
Of an assessment, ''-Foote, l, PIP. 1878.
Does this plan" thus sent by Hanover Pres
bytery, Representing all the Presbyterians in
Virginia" accord with the doctrine OF Religious
Freedom? If it does not, then the Presbyt raus
of Virginia fAltered and compromised. and that,
too, in n very critical hour
james Madison, writing to Mr.. Monroe Nov
l4th, l7Si, about the proposed assessment, says !:
The Presbyterian clergy have remoii strate q
against any narrow principles, but indirectly
.avor IL more comprehensive establishment =
Rives Madison L. p 6J6 A few days later he
writes to MIR, Jefferson on the same subject ::
any petitions from below tho Blue Ridge had
prayed for such lAw and though several from
the Presbyterian laity beyond it were in p con
trary style the clergy OF that sect favored it.
Rive. Madison, p 900. On the 18th Of Aorll,
1885, he writes to Mr. Monroe in regard to the
assessment:
The Episcopal people are generally for it. . = !"
The laity of the other sects are generally unan-
mous on the other side So are all the clergy
except the Presbyterian. who seem as ready TO
set no an establishment which is 10 take them IN
rs they were to pull down that which shus them
out | do not know more shameful contrast
han might be found between their memorials on
The latter and former occasion. "-kves' Madi-
son, p. $50
On the 18th of Nav, he writes: 1.-THE Presby-
terrain clergy, too, who were in general, friends
10 the scheme, are already in another tone-ei
Their compelled by the laity Of that sect or
alarmed at the probability of further interference
of the Legislature if they begin to dictate in
matters OF religion hives Madison, PIP G3o-
63l.
l repeat my hearty admission of the noble
character of many-of inost-of the Presbyte-
rian Memorials ! am even willing to concede
that they may have been more elaborate and
scholarly productions than those sent up by the
Baptists Will not "a Presby terrain" admit
with equal frankness, that the Pfesby terians did
st on 9 time waver, a thing which the Bapti>ts
did not do, and have never been accused of?
With hearty good will to IA Presb5 terrain"
to all Presbyterians, to all Christians, renal n,
GEO. b. TAYLOR.
IT,,