The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-11-19
LIBERAL OFFER.
THE OLIVE BRANCH.
CONCLUDING REMARKS.

During the summer and fall series of
articles has appeared under this head. They
we're written at intervals, because of frequent
absence from home, and also because the
writer was sometimes turned aside to the
work Of defence against assailants. The OBJ
sject Of those articles was to give some &C
count of the various times at which the
Northern Assembly had held forth the so
called "Oive Branch" to our Church, and
the true character it assumed. Without 60
ing now into an extended summary of what
was presented, this much may be affirmed.
First, it has been seen that even during
the war, as well as at its close, the Northern
Assembly passed resolutions expressing an
expectation at first, and subsequently wish,
that the Southern Church would come back
20 them
Second, that in connection with these
resolutions there was, for six years, course
Of legislation in reference to US which was to
the last degree unehristian and insulting
Third, it is seen that it was not till 1868
we were recognizedat all as distinct Church,
and then it was accompanied with censure.
Now it can be shown from their action in
1870, Whee a committee was sent to Louis
vile, and from their action last spring in
Baltimore, that nothing has been done which
IN any proper manner removes the ofenses
which have prevented amicable relations be-
tween the two bodies. 1t is not enough to
say they think they have done so. Our
Church has quite as much right as they to a
voice in such a question. 1t was our pur,
pose to subject that point to a close exami-
nation, but it is not necessary at this time,
since much has already been presented on
both sides. Let this one fact be borne in
mind, that when the deputatOn came to US at
Louisville, it was not their opinion that the
declaration Of their Assembly removed all
obstacles to friendly relations; and yet that
Assembly said virtually all that the one at
Baltimore did. And further, one member Of
the committee of conference appointed at
Baltimore, has recently expressly declared
that he does not regard the paper there
adopted as a sufficient basis for friendly III
tercourse, but only for conference. Besides
this, there is an absurdity in the very face Of
all this clamor that the paper referred to
honorably removes all obstacles between US.
fit did so, Why was a committee appointed
to confer with US ? Does it require two care
fully selected committees to confer about a
fraternal correspondence Every one &C
quainted With church affairs will see how
this fact alone cOntradcts all that few in
considerate persons among ourselves, as well
as carping critics outside, have alleged.
Yes, DR.. Van Dyke is right. That de-
claration at Baltimore does not lay proper
basis for fraternal correspondence, much less
for organic union. But, defective as it is, it
does in our judgment open the way for
conference. 1t contains some expressions in
advance Of the paper brought to Louisville,
as that was in advance of those preceding
When our brethren Of the United Synod
sent a committee to the Assembly in New
Orleans, and a conference was asked, that
eminent and lamented Christian gentleman,
General Thomas R. R. Cobb, of Georgia,
said in advocating it, that if parcel of Ca
manche Indians asked for a conference IN
reference to peace, he would certainly grant
10, whatever their previous aggressions.
The respected author of the article in the
last S5utiSrn Presbyterian Bsyis,o, concern
inc our last General Assembly, refers to this
question, and advises against the appoint
meut Of any committee by our next Assem-
bly,. We cannot agree with his view, and
that Of some others coinciding with him
The fact that writers in Northern papers
have taken the ground that no concessions
are to be made in regard to things in which
we have complained Of injury, ought not to
have the least weight in deciding that mat
ter Our General Assembly next spring
ought to take into consideration the action
Of che Baltimore Assembly, and that alone
We are here free to say that most of the
newspaper discussion of this sub ject has been
premature, and, if it could have been helped,
undesirable, If our Northern brethren could