New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-05-29
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY At BALTIMORE


When the policy did not command universal
appreciation, we earnestly advocated the adOp-
ton of such measures, in those departments
with which secular newspaper has to do, as
would promote friendly feeling at the South
and render the Union cordial as well as legal.
We notice, therefore, with satisfaction that
the General Assembly just closed removed, as
far, apparently, as it could possibly be done,
such causes of irritation as remained on its
side With remarkable unanImity, and it is
stated with much of that feeling by which on
more than one occasion the Assembly was
marked, those resolutions and records which
were passed by the separate schools" during
the war time were declared null and void I'M
less re6nacted by the joint body; and it was
further resolved that they were not to be re-
garded az a precedent for the future. How
much this would mean if subjected to crit
ical analysis we do not wish to inquire. 1t
was, no doubt, the expression of an honest
and earnest wish to resume fraternal relations
and cordial cooperation with the Southern
Church, and we cannot but hope will be ac-
cepted in this light. IL is impossible for any
country to be the theater of war such as
swept over the South without the loss
of much of its resources. But the con-
ditiOn of the South has no parallel in the his
tory of warfare. Some millions of men were
set free, without, to say the least of it, any
special training for the exercise of freedoms
rights The same stroke that liberated them
left multitudes of Christian people poor. But
these millions have to be trained-for their
own sakes, for the sake OF the Southern whites
g.. Al, ,olro sc fha 10 =
agement to our Southern brethren to say that
this is a task beyond their resources. 1t is
National work, and demands National resources.
1t must be largely done by churches, and
by those auxiliary agencies which the churches
inspire and direct. Divided cOunsels must re-
tard it. Diverse organizations must complicate
it. On the other hand united, energetic, pa
tent effort from North and South may not
unreasonably be expected to result in the edu-
cation as men, and as citizens, of the col0red
population and where moral influences are
mainly concerned, there world be some gain
surely in the spectacle of goodwill and Chris
tan magnanimity triumphing over bitter mem
cries and sectional disputes.
Indeed, the prevalent feeling of the Assem-
bly, appears to have been genial in high de-
gree. 1t is good sign of individual or COM
munity when vigorous effort is made to pay
off debt In this regard, there was scene in
the Assembly, marked by certain picturesque
freshness, such as America more readily ex-
hibits than older regions. One of the many
Boards-too many, some of the members seem
to feel-reported deficiency Of about $4,000,
and il appeared proper to curtail the foreign
work. But the idea of curtailment was so
unpalatable to the members that it was
eagerly repudiated. Let US pay the de-
"fcIency and proceed, aud let US begin now
said one, and another, and another. The or
binary business was suspended. The prompt
and effective Moderator, DIR. Crosby Of New
York, received verbal assurances from such
members az chose to make them on the spot,
with the net result of something over $4,000
In looking over the reports of tho discus
sions we miss many of the men who are pub
lcly' identified with the fortunes of Presby-
terianism. But if the names of DIR. Adams, DE- |
Musgraye, DIR. Boardmau, and Others arc want !