The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-09-18
A Remarkable Prophecy.

The New York Methodist of last Saturday
publishes remarkably prophetic letter flom
the late Bishop Capers, of South Carolina,
written in 1854, in which he predicted the
abolition of slavery. The letter was ad.
dressed 10 C.. B. Du Pre-, in answer to these
questions, which he propounded to the
Bishop:
First. You ak: Do consider the exist.
ence of the institution of slavery as the one
great impeachment in the way Of cordial
union of The two branches Of the Methodist
Church in the United States?
Second Do consider the institution OF
slavery so welI.established and so neceSSarya
feature Of the economy Of the southern
States as to warrant the conclusion that it is
and will remain permanent feature OF our
civilization?
We give the substance Of his answer, as it
is o remarkable document.
The first question the Bishop answers 10
the affirmative. He considers the slavery
question IS the "only real, sensible cause Of
separation between the churches as organ iza-
tions.''
10 1854 slavery was strongly entrepched
" and Its friends thought it an impershaole
institution; but the Bishop saw win other
eyes, and his prophecy, under the circunl.
stances, was very remarkable. The letter
has never been published until it appeared in
the Methodist last week. We quote his an.
sWer to the second question.
al pass to your second question. L do
not consider the institution of slavery. or
any other institution of mere human origio,
80 necessary feature of social life ss to chal-
ieuee the Providences OF God. But suppose
] take more worldly view Of your inquiry.
"Iam, anu have been for some time, as
sured In my mind that the mission OF Afri
can slavery has been accomplished in Anne.
RIGA, and that the institution in the United
States will soon cease to exist. form my
conclusions from the progress OF events 10
the civilized world and the wonderful de-
yelopments of Christianity within this cen
fury. The pollt:co.economc view OF this
question has been well taken by MIR. Fox, in
the exhaustive debate upon the question of
emancipation before the British Parliament.
No unprejudiced mind can follow that de.
bate and ia,l 10 recognize the finger OF God
indicating to man his duty, and urging bin
to act in direct opposition 10 bis personal
interests. An institution so long grated
upon the body polite Of nation such a.
Great Britain could have been overthrown
in no other way than by the mysterious
workings Of Providence.
at is simply ridiculous to Charge the New
Eugland aholtionists With having origi
mated the idea Of negro slavery, and with
having inauguIated The agitation of emanc-
patton. Certainly no educated pegson would
SO charge unless he was appealing to human
passions upon the hustinSs. Afrtcau slavery
originated 10 mans natural cupidity, and
was an institution of Great Bri'afn's before
there was New England knowmf 10 Amer:
lea. Emancipation came first TO be discussed
g. "a n ALL
ton, and can be distinctly Traced
to the most evangelical of the >.Ghli~
tian churches in Euglard. Such, a,
any rate, is my view OF the whole
matter, Ia this my sixty fourth year, after
having examined The question 10 every WAY
it has presented itself 10 my mind. so far,
then, from regarding the institution as per-
maneDt, do not recognize the first feature
OF genuine vitality iu it. How it is to tran.
spire, whether ny gradual Sys en- of eman,
cipaiion, fixed 10 our organic law bv amend
nents, or wnerher in the storm of reuolu-
tioa, know not but as sure as 4m no "
writing toyou. my dear bro her, the ,nstilu-
ton OF slavery IN these United States is
doomed. 90 not lhlnk that any cand d
student Of history, or any unbiased observer
OF even $, Is tuev are now transporting, can
resist this conclusion.
by, man alive, there is now abroad 10
our fano The very spirit which, If epcour-
aged, will lead to the overthrow Of toe in
stltutiou 10 The wreck and the awful ruin OF
reyoiuron. My opportunity for obserya-
ton IN The South and West for the past ten
yeas assures NE that. unless our madcap
polltic'sn> aoopt some more cobc,latory po-
si:ion and compromise their extreme parti
San views toe Two great parties OF prluc-
Piles liked in State economy will be lost
In sectional bitterness, and au early presi.
deptifi election secure the triumph OF The
Abortion party. This will bring ABOUT Sc
cession 90 the par, of those States who ave
unwilling 10 compromise the pride Of ab-
straet rights; aud ihen-I >hudder at the
fhoughL-a bloody revolution! accompanied
by Lie materra, uin OF tue South. Slavery,
if this comes 10 pass. will be abolished by the
decree of q military tribunal. aud the pride
Of my people iearfully BUNDLED before |
God
Mr.. Du Pre-, in q letter recently written.
Gays: /" The Bishops answer vas 80 much 10
cor dict with the prevailing spirit Of the po.
pu'ace that could not fully appreciate it.. and
aid IL awav smo0g mV papers as one.sided
Jew OF Cnurch and State sfairs. Recently,
D locking oyer my papers, | came scross the
,tfer. which now regard, 10 the light OF
xpei ieoee sad and bitter, AS one OF the most l.
Ole pspers ever read" Z "satil a.y u