The national era. [volume], May 16, 1850, Image 1

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THE NATIONAL ERA.
G. BAILEY, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR; JOHN G. WHITTIER, CORRESPONDING EDITOR.
VOL. IV.?NO. 20. i WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1850. WHOLE NO. 176.
The ffatleaal Br* I* FaMUhed Weekly, en InnU
Street, sppsaits Odd FeUewrs' Hell.
TERMS.
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Advertisement* not exceeding ten line* inserted
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be addressed to G. Bailky, Washington, D. CV
BUKLL a BLANCHAED, PK1WTKE8,
Slith Uroet, s Urn doors south at Pwasjrtvaali srcana.
THE NATIONAL ERA.
WASHINGTON, MAY in, ISM
_ ~ ~ " j
(COPY-BIWHT MVV??V?
THE MOTHER-IN-LAW.
A STORV OF THE IIUND ERTATE.;
By MRS. KMMJt P. T.. SOUTHWORTH.
BOOK. klHOND.
IX
MKS. OKNKK AL NTUAKT-OOKOON AT HOMK.
Ob, sweetly Is bedecked hrr bower,and gorgeously h-r hall*;
Hert trevln tb? foot nn springing buds, and there on velvet
fall*
The ui?**y curtain's graceful flow, the T?*e, the j aiming
warui,
Those household echoes, mirrors bright, revealing lbs fair *
form ;
kxotics that perfume the air with odor* sweet ami strange,
Ami shells that far in foreign climes miJ ocean wonders
range,
With countless gifts of taste and art, in classic beauty rife,
Are laid upon her homestead shrine, and grace her daily life.
C. Oilman.
It was autumn before the Stuart-Gordons returned
to the Isle of Rays. It was impossible to
tell which were the prouder?General StuartGordon
of his brilliant young bride, or Britannia of
her grand old hunhand. She gloried in him ;
there is no error upon this subjects-it is the
oiijhU,ur,M'
and gladdening in her presence?that is another
truth. And the Isle of Rays itself flashed, sparkled,
and scintillated more splendidly than ever,
when illuminated by the presence of Britannia.
As fnr I .mi in* vou know she was a ninny, and an
for Louis, he was a pale face ; the Island Palaee
was (iuite thrown away upon them. They might
wander among the groves and arbors, with music
and poetry, and such nonsense, all day, but the
halls and saloons of the Island Palace were alone
fitted for our grand General Stuart-Gordon and
our brilliant Britannia. Mrs. Armstrong might
say as she pleased, but her downy-hearted little
Louise never could hare "done" the Island
Palace. For my part, 1 think each pair.was well
bestowed, and I sympathize with Brighty and the
General?don't you? Mrs. General StuartGordon
came home in state, ami astonished the
neighborhood with many innovations. A new
and splendid carriage was set up?five Arabian
horses purchased?servants put in livery?three
white domestics engaged, namely, a Parisian girl
as lady's maid, an English matron as housekeeper,
and a French cook.
What was the harm of it ? It was not extravagance.
General Stuart-Gordon could well afford
twice the expenditure. It made everybody
happy, (except Mrs. Armstrong;) it gave people
employment, and circulated idle money As lor
the darkeys, they were delighted with their new
liveries as ever raw recruits with new uniform, or
baby boys with their first breeches.
The day succeeding the arrival, the two ladies
were seated together in the luxurious boudoir of
Britannia.
"In truth, my dear Louise, you could have
done nothing with this establishment without me!
You would never have thought of any improvements
! You would have received no suggestion
from the gentlemen of the family. Men are
apathetic in domestic matters?never think of refining
their own comforts, while yet they keenly
relish these comforts when quietly falling in their
daily life. I admire keen and delicate censes, as
an evidence of perfect physical development, but
I do not like to see a lofty mind always debased
in the service of these senses. I would not have
the General thinking always of his dinner, his
lounge, and his chibaque, though it gives me i
pleasure to see that he enjoys them, when, in the ]
slipping off of the hours, they properly succeed J
physical or intellectual exertion."
Louise was pale, dispirited, disinclined to con- I
verse at all, still less to cavil at anything Brit- '
nnnia might say or do.
" You are so pensive, Louise?and you always ,
are, even by the side of Louis. By the way, where .
i> the young gentleman this morning?" '
"Gone over to the Crags to see MissSomerville.
1 le seemed very anxious to meet her, and j
so he left me immediately after breakfast." (
" I wish he would not go there," Baid Britan- 1
nia; then, immediately repenting her hasty j
speech, she paused abruptly. I
Louise looked at her with a slightly querulous ]
expression upon her pretty features, and asked? ]
" B'Ay, Britannia?icAy do you wish Louis 1
would not go there 7"
" My love, it is time to dress ; some one will be
calling here to-day ; ring for Fleurine."
" But, Brighty, why do you wish Louis would
not call at the Cragspersisted Louise, glancing
keenly bat furtively at Britannia's face.
Mrs. Stuart-Gordon turned her eyes full upon
the face of Louise, and, looking at her steadily>
replied, slowly and gravely?
" Because Susan Somerville is a grief-stricken
woman, and the visit of a gay young bridegroom
may be unwelcome, as unsuitable."
Louise dropped her eyes beneath the steady,
J >X.L.4
remising g?*e, ??'1
? Now, Mr?. Louis, will you please to dress for
dinner 1"
"Oh, Britannia, I will dress, but I want to see
my mother so emeh '
"The carriage is at your command. Mrs.
Louis."
" Oh, Britannia, 1 cannot go alone f The General
might not like it?Louis might not"
" I hope there is not a negro on this plantation
as great a slare as you are, Mrs. Louis. Why
should they dislike it 1 Why should they stop
you if they did 1 You pay a poor compliment to
General and Mrs. Stuart-Gordon. * If they disliked
any act of yours, Loolse, beliere me, neither
would think of imposing a single restraint
upon your actions , and, indeed, I should very
much dislike to see them make the attempt. Poor
little thing, you hare been confined and fettered
so long, that you hare lost the use of yourself.
You ask rate! Can I not electrify you with
the fact into some life! Pray use your freedom
a little. Ring and order your carriage at your
own house, and go?try it, to see how it will
feel! Heirens, child 1 are you all torpor 7"
" Yes! why don't you swagger, Louise! maks
a big fuss?sail about the house?order the serrant#?order
the horses?order the master himself?make
everybody stand around you, or pitch
orer each other, in their haste to do your bidding
I OhJ you'd ass how Ti do it 1 ftow do
you do, Brighty 7" exclaimed the Ger-Kaloon,
who had swooped suddenly down Into this soft
cushat's asst.
" How do you do, Mi? Lion 7 I am plessed to
reooiro yon."
" Door Gortrudo I what a surprise I Wo did
not hoor yon some up!"
" How eouU you hear mo run up ou thooe soft
woolly carpots 7 Lord 1 I wouldn't lire in this
honae for two General 8t?art-Gordona1 I
couldn't make noise here, if one shouted, the
sound would he smothered in satin and down.
What a place!"
" Sit down, Gertrude !"
"Can't. .Don't like the looks of the plaec;
beaidne, I was just going over to the Crags to see
poor, dear Susan, and I thought I would not pass
jou. I thought ( would joi-t run up and see you,
Mrs. Stuart-Gordon.
a You pat quite a surprise upon us,'* said Britannia.
" A shock, why don't you say ? I 'spose I
ought to have rung! Lord ! I never had patience
to wait until a servant came to open the
door, and a lady oame down. I never indulged
Mr*. Armstrong?even her High-loftiness?in
such notions. Oh ! have you seen your mother,
Louise ? "
" Oh, no, dear Gertrude! I have not even
that! IIow is she, Gertrude? Can you tell
me?"
" Mr*. Armstrong keeps very close house?sees
no one hut the minister and the doctor"?
" The doctor! Is my mother in bad health 7"
"Well, ho; I do not think so, but having
nothing else (a amuse herself with, aha thinks of?
nnlkintv Vats# Kowdalf kor /turn Ktulv anil liot* /iurn
IS """ MV'""i - J i ?- ? - soul?which
is the reason. I suppose."
"Oh Brightj,you hear! My mother in bad
health t"
"J do not believe it!" a&id Mrs. StuartGordon.
" Well, good bye, good bye! I must go, I must
go! I should smother in sweets here!
" Some love to roam o'er the wi.le sea foam,
Where the shrill ?mil.- whistle free,
But a ehoeen band in a mountain land,
And a home in the wood* for ine! "
And, singing and shouting, she ran And bounded
down the stairs and out of the house.
" Oh, Brighty ! do you mark that! My mother
in bad health JM
" I do not believe so, Louise. Her minister and
physician visit to amuse her, while they eat her
dinners."
" Oh, Brighty, this family estrangement is
killing to me; it is, indeed it is! Pour months
I have not heard from my mother! ', her only
child, who newer left hrr an hour during sixteen
years. Oh, Hrightv! go with me to see her 1"
" trtat' L?Oittev, V wlil iAtk?cf! '^tw,
lively necessary, but my opinion is that you had
better go alone My visit might not be acceptable."
" But oh, Brighty! tlo go. Surely you owe
that much to my mother ! "
" I sent her our cards yesterday, she therefore
knows that we are at home! "
" That was a proud thing in you to do, Brighty
! "
" I was dealing with a proud woman ! "
" It would have been more friendly to have
driven over to Mont Crystal, this morning)''
" Mrs. Armstrong should call here."
"Oh, Britannia! Britannia! do not cherish
pride in view of all God's bountiful blessings to
you! Go with me to Mont Crystal! Make the
first advance yourself; you are the younger.
This quarrel must be reconciled! It must! it
must! It kills me! Oh, Britannia! I am not
strong! I suffer so much ! I eat nothing, scarcely !
I sleep but little, and I am growing so feeble.
1 am sinking unaer it, Britannia! 1 shaH die!
Look how thin I am ! " And the poor child turned
up her muslin sleeves and held up the two slimmest
little white wrists that ever were seen.
" Poor little arms ! poor, dear little arms!"
said Brighty, taking them and kissing them
" Come, sit in my lap, Louise, 1 want to pet you !"
And she held out her arms. Louise dropped into
them, sobbing. " Louis loves you so much, my
dear ! You ought to he happy.''
"Ah! how can I while this estrangement lasts ?
Oh ! 1 feel a sense of guilt, of treachery even,
in the comfort I receive from Louis's affection !"
"Sweet Providence! was there ever such a
perverted head! You have been taught from
your earliest infancy up, ? a religion, to worship
your mother, only her, and have been misled
in respect to all your other womanly duties.
But, poor thing, I will not distress you ! 1 will
go with you!" And touching the bell, "Send
Mrs. Louis's maid to her dressing-room," she
said to the servant who obeyed the summons.
The man bowed and withdrew. "Now, love, go
make your toilet."
Britannia proceeded to make hers. Tn truth,
Britannia herself desired the reconciliation of the
families A house divided against itself cannot
stand. Britannia knew that the houses of Mont
Crystal and of the Isle of Rays were all-powerful
united; that, divided, they parted the influence
over the neighborhood. Besides, Britannia saw
that Gen. Stuart-Gordon, whom she adored, was
himself uneaeyat this estrangement, and shewished
to see him comfortable. In addition to this,
llrighty rather admired Mrs Armstrong in Borne
respects?rather sympathized with her pride, and
cherished rather pleasant recollections of her late
home at Mont Crystal. The reader must have
observed one peculiarity of Brighty?namely, the
propensity to look on the bright side of every
event and the fair side of every character ; thus,
though she perceived the darker traits of Mrs
Armstrong's character, she never dwelt upon
Ihem in her heart; and though she had experienced
some disagreeable things at Mont Crystal,
die only brought uway with her its pleasant mom)ries.
*Ai? was no happy system of philosophy
with Brighty ; it was simply her happy nature.
/\nd then Britannia sympathized with Louise's
torrow, and with Louis, as suffering with Louise,
r autl. aI'I riofiOral WiH t.ftft
*"*/, "*? ??? ,
:ordial-hearted*not to like family peace and good
'ellowship. Hut as there is a leaven of unrightemanesa
in most human motives, so Brighty took (
i little wicked, womanish pleasure in going in ,
itate to make, a visit of ceremony at the house ,
rom which she had been so summarily discharged ]
ive months before. Britannia made a grand toiet.
Brighty became a rich and tasteful costume |
jerfectly. Her appearance was decidedly distinguished
There was an air of high-bred refinement
in the expression of her elegantly chiselled ,
profile in repose, and seen beyond the edge of her |
white French hat and drooping plumes Never ,
were satius, velvets, plumes, and cygnet down, ,
better bestowed than upon Britannia. Taking a ,
little card case of wrought gold in her hand,
Brighty descended the stairs, where she was soon (
joined by Louise. They entered the carriage,
and were driven to Mont Crystal. Hopes, fears,
and anxieties in regard to her reception tortnring
the heart of Louise?a little genial desire for
family amity, a little feminine exultation, agitating
the bosom of Brighty, as the carriage crossed the
bridge between the island and the shore, and
wound up the hill, bringing them in sight of the
splendid front of Mont Crystal The carriage
drew up before the massive iron-bonnd green gate
always kept closed. The porter opened it, and
the carriage drove up the broad avenue, flanked
on each side hv a row of locust trees, and stopped
before the door. A footman alighted from behind,
and opened the door. The heart of Louise
paused in its beatings?she could scarcely ait?
she grew pale. Britannia gave her footman her
card?Mrs Orn STt'ART-QoRnoa.
" Take this to Mrs. Armstrong."
The man bowed, and waited to receive that of
Mrs. Louis.
" Tell mother I'm here, and dying to see her,
faltered the half-fainting Louise,
The footman went np the broad marble steps,
rung, sent in the card. Brighty watched him
from the carriage. She smiled to herself, her
cheeks flushed, her eyes danced.
" Oh 1 she will not receive ur, i know perwi;
well, now," said Blighty.
Rrighty w?r mistaken "Mm Armstrongs
oompliments, and she feels grateful for Mri Gen.
Stuart-Gordon's call, and begs that she will
alight."
Rrigbty's heart smote her for pride, vanity, and
injustice, in an instant.
" What word did mother send to me?what to
me 7" asked Louise, nervously.
The footman bowed?" Nothing more, n. ..lam
"OhJ Britannia! she is angry with me! why
is she angry with me 7"
" My lore, there ie some mistake ; your message
was not delivered There is some mistake?
alight I"
They descended from the carriage, and walked
np the Stairs, Louisa dinging, half (hinting, to
ths arm of Britannia. They were tbown into the
west saloon?the crimson drawing-room, and
going down its wbolo length, they seated them dree
upon the crimson satin sofa in the reoern of
tho bay window. The eyee of Brighty sparkled
aa she rensembered that just six months before,
seated on that very sofa, her eyes had flUed with
tsars at receiving offers of hospitality from two
poor firla, who pitied her poverty and homelees
and friendless condition. What a splendid contrast
to that wan her present oooditioo I For
Louise?she thought of tho dey when she sat
anon that sofa n hnpoy bride?happy In Us love
of her .mother and bar husband?happy in the
y
J
fatherly affection of General Stuart-Gordon, and
in the friendship of Britannia and her young
companions. Who could hare foreseen the blight
that fell upon her joy! The door opened, and
Mrs. Armstrong sailed in.
She always sailed?her stately form, ample
i robes, and slow gliding step, forcibly suggested
I the idea of a frigate under full sail. Louise arose
to meet her, but growing rery weak, she sank
again into her seat. Mrs. Armstrong approached,
and offering her hand to Britanuia, who rose respectfully
to receire her, she said?
" I am happy to see you, Mrs. Stuart-Gordon.
Permit me to offer you my beat wishes for your
happiness in your new position.''
Britannia curtsied, aat down, and said?" I hope
you hare been well sfnce 1 had the pleasure of
seeing you last, Mrs. Armstrong"
"Quite well, I am much obliged to you. Your
appearance sires me the necessity of inquiring
xrm\t hmioi %r>h ipavm ?>w?mw>
of congratulating you upon the subject." Then
tumiug to Louise, she said?
" Mv daughter!"
nintW I"
They embraced?Loui.se ?ob!>ed. M
u i cannot My Mm same for Mrs Leu is?abe
dees nM look well," a?kl Mrs Armstrong, alUiag
down in her ctuiy chair.
" I am sorry to admit that Mrs. Louis does not
enjoy good health. I hare no doubt, however,
that meeting with you, madam, will restore her."
Mrs. Armstrong looked at her daughter again,
and with more scrutiny She was more than ever
impressed with the fearful change in Louise's appearance.
" Come here, my daughter ! Mrs Stuart-Gordon,
will you excuse us ? You will find some admirable
prints on yonder table. I would hare
un interview with my daughter.''
1 Oh ! certainly, oertainly, Mrs. Armstrong! I
am no stranger at Mont Crystal"
Mrs. Armstrong left the room with her daughter.
They went up stairs, into her chamber.
" Well, my child! you are looking around upon
this room?what emotion does the view awaken
in your bosom ?"
I Oh! mother! mother!" exclaimed Louise,
throwing herself upon the boeom of her mother. I
They sat down upon a lounge
" You are looking very thin and pale, Louise!''
u Oh ? mother, I have so much!" j
" is i^ouis kind to you 1
n Yfu ! moWVf;"good wi Yle*?en to-me."
" And General Stuart-Gordon?"
" Pets roe like a pet kitten, mamma."
" And Mrs Stuart-Gordon?"
''Treats me better than she treats herself.
Nurses me as though I were her baby, tnamnw "
" You are very happy, then ?"
" Oh ! no, mamma!'
? Why not?"
" Oh ! mamma, this estrangement!"
II It is very serious, then, on their part. They
speak of me with great aversion !"
" Oh, no! dearest mamma! there is no member
of the latnily who does not deplore it, I am sure ;
who would not do anything to heal the breach."
" You are looking very pale, Louisp, but perhaps
there is a natural cause for this," said the
dowager, taking her hand, and looking in her
face.
Ma'am ?"
Mrs. Armstrong put a question.
" Oh ! no, momma; no! no!" replied Louise,
Mushing like a peony. No! no, mamma ! nothing
of the sort! It was the parting with you, mamma,
without taking leave of you. It was the not hearing
from you for so long, mamma. And you are
looking haggard, mamma ; you hare been sick."
" 1 have been sick at heart, Louise!"
" My dear mother!"
" I have been alone, Louise."
" Oh! my dear mother, if you knew how glad
I should have been to have had you with ua, or to
have been with you !"
" But, Louise, are you quite sure of what you
tell me?"
"Oh! very sure, dear mamma. Please don't
ask me," plead Louise, crimsoning with confusion.
"We will rejoin Mrs. Stuart-Gordon now.
That was all 1 wished to ascertain," said the dowager,
with a diabolical smile, which was happily
lost upon her daughter.
" And, mamma, this misunderstanding shall be
reconciled, shall it not ?"
" Yes, my daughter, as far as it lies in my
power."
" Oh! thank you, dear, dear mamma. Now,
now I shall be happy again."
They went down stairs, and entered the crimson
drawing-room. Britannia was standing at
the table, looking over some prints. She turned
smilingly to meet the mother and daughter. She
saw nothing in Mrs. Armstrong's face, always
cold and impassible; but she saw in Louise's radiant
eyes that peace was al>oat to be proclaimed.
" Mrs Stuart-Gordon, have you any engagement
for to-morrow?"
"None, madam. Mrs. Louis and myself are
perfectly at your disposal to-morrow."
" Then I will waive ceremony, and dine at the
Isle of Rays to-morrow."
Britannia curtsied low, in acknowledgment of
this grace. Louise caught her mother's hand and
raised It to her lips.
"We shall be most happy to receive you,
madam," said Britannia.
"Oh mamma! Louis and the General will be
so overjoyed!"
Scon after, the ladies took their leave.
"A proud, presuming huzzy," exclaimed Mrs.
Armstrong, as the carriage rolled away. "How
Jare she; after ejecting my daughter from her
full position in that family?how dare she come
here, with her carriage and liveried servants, to
insult me .and to triumph over me ? My ex-governess!
I hate her! hate her! She blasts my
sight. I wish she were dead I cannot bring
stout ker death, but?I will see if she does not
tramp from the Isle of Riya I tbiuk I have the
lever by which to move her I Yes, my lady
llritanuia, yon shall tramp. We want no second
brood of children growing up in the Isle of
Hays."
The carriage of the Stuart-Gordons returned
to the Isle of Rays The level beams of the setting
sun were gl mcing aslant the island, as the
carriage, recrossingthe bridge, wound on between
rows of cool shade trees around the circular road
that led up to the front entrance of the Island
Palace The whole front of crystal windows
flushed hack in streams of daxxllng light the very
last rays of the level sun, as the carriage paused
before the portals.
General 8tuart-Gordon was standing, smiling,
on the marhle steps, waiting to receive his ladies.
He advanoed to meet them as they alighted?
u Welcome home, ladies P1 he said, gladly,M he
opened his arms, and, receiving them both in one
embrace, pressed them together to his bosom.
" You are radiating beautv this evening, my lady
Britannia!" he exclaimed, as Brighty, just permitting
him to touch her brow with his lips,
sprung gaily past him Into the house. " And you,
also, my little Louise !" he added, detaining her
in h'r intended flight " One would say that
something highly agreeable had happened to you.''
" Oh ! there has! there has 1 1 have seen mother!
d*ar mother I and it is all made op, and she
is coming here to-morrow. Are you not glad 1"
" You have Just seen 4 mother.1 little darliog 1
Well, then, come and kiss father T
1 Oh, I will! I will! I will give you the kiss
mother left upon my lipe at parting. It shall be
a peace offering?a love offering, take HI" and
Louise clasped her arms around bis neck and
nrpHsed her lira fervently to bis.
I *
" Von are a sweet girl, LouiseP I
"But, oh! did you hear me aey that mother I
was coming here to morrow P
" Yea, lore, I did! and she ahall have such a
welcome an Khali mike her forget everything unpleasant
that hu p inaed between ua; and now,
my dear, I mnat go and thank Brighty for having
taken yoo to Mont Cryntal so soon."
"lias Louis ret n rued 7"
"No, darling, not yet. Now run, and get
r*??dy for dinner, or we shall have to dine by oandle-iight.
Yen, we positively shall have to do
that, any how."
Louise hurried of!' to her room. Upon her
dressing-table she found a note from Ixauia.
Opening it hastily, ahe read
"Dkakkxt Sudden and urgent hnsineas calls
me to I'eakville. I shall not be able to return tonight.
L."
[to uk comtinttrd.]
MICHIGAN.
We peroeive by the last Detroit Pcnmtular
FrttmaH that the Free Soil Central Committee
have nailed a State Convention, to meet at Marshall
oa the Mth Instant, of all who are oppseed
to the extension of slavery beyond its proeoat
limits, " to deliberate upon the beet means to concentrate
the pnhlio sentiment of this State in snob
a manner that Ho influence may be felt la settling
the questions concerning slavery, which now agt
Late the Union "
FRO# IOWA.
Fosr Madison, April ) isr.t).
7'o the Editor qf the Notional Era :
En cloned I Rend you a call for a public meeting,
which wan held here last Saturday ; its object you
i can examine. In response to the call, the meeting
was held, and adopted resolutions and a preamble
expressive of its views on the important subjects
which it was convened to consider The call is
signed by men of all political parties, and, as far
as it goes, is a fair expression of the people of this
.State on the questions at issue. The resolutions,
Ste., adopted at said meeting will be forwarded to
you and our Senators and Representatives in Congress,
as soon as possible; and let roe add, that
meetings of a similar kind are called in other
parts of the State, without any concert of action
on our part; a meeting which will express almost
the same views, was called, to be held at Keokuk,
u<j oaiuruay next, lAu Apm, uetorc we msueu our
call, or heard of it. Iowa will yet he heard, and
the voice of her people, I trust, will have some iun..>v.
ii.ii.. .< /" t_ < ... /:
II U* UUV IU 1I1C I lftllD VI V/Uil|(l CK), 1U ll'Jf UI lllliut*diateljr
granting to the people of California those
rights that the Constitution of the Union says
new Siai*. sMl hare. Many of the. Wgiants to
that region are oar old friends and neighbors, and
we know that although most of them go there in
order to add to the comforts of those they have
left behind, (viz: their families.) still, while there
they are American citizens, and are anxious to
hare law. order, liberty, prevail in their new
home. The remarks of oertain gentlemen of the
Disunion school of politics, made this session in
Congress in favor of disunion, and the threats
they have made in case they are not permitted to
extend a system to the Pacific, (over territory
now absolutely free by law, as Senator Benton has
fully shown.) that is even by themselves admitted
to be an evil, and that tends to interfere with
and degrade free labor?I say, said remarks acid
threats of a violent dissolution of Congress, withdrawing
in a body to leave Congress without a
quorum, thre itening a refusal to vote the usual
appropriations, &c, are all treated with the contempt
they merit in this State Yes, sir, Iowa is
for Union and the Constitution as it is, and glad
we are that our Senators and Representatives arc
ready to say so. Let a single traitorous hand be
lifted sgainst its well-being, and the remarks
made by Senator Houston of Texas, and a distinguished.
nw?b*r. oftUa Hou#* from P/?i?ylvnnia, <
would he fully realixeu. Yes, in such a owe, there
would be " Millions for defence, but not one cent
for tribute," at the month of the Mississippi, or
anywhere else It certainly would be a beautiful
sight that this great nation would present to such
great lovers of order as Nicholas of Rossis, the
crowned head of Austria, &c., if certain renleas
spirits in this Republic could suoceed in breaking
up the Union, because they are not permitted to
r,orfit(nn California ami nbiv the desnnt a little
longer, on a smaller scale than their European
brethren.
I enclose an extract from the H'Atg and Rcfuter,
I published at Keokuk, to show you how they feel
and speak here; and our Democratic paper here
is equally decided in favor of the same positions.
I cannot help expressing my thanks to the Senators
and Representatives of the North, and some
of the South, too, who have taken a stand in favor
of Union and Freedom May they long live to
enjoy the Ow&fidence and respect of their constituents,
and to assist in maintaining this glorious
Union, uu? and indivisible.
It is due to the Representatives from the State
of California that they should know how the people
of the North look upon the men who erytfcse
their admission, and he prepared to bi?*
time; it will boon come, and that as ?' " wafi ^
if, indeed, it has not already, before this is wntten.
We are not willing that the unpeighborly
way in which California has been treated by some
politicians should incline them?and of course
Oregon, also?to an independent existence. They
have bo me cause to justify such a course of oonduct
at present, but the ultimate successful vindication
of free principles that they have adopted,
44a?4r evevi -1*1 ?.tuA fvwlWlo. * llWfi Nftfl
the general welfare of the U nion. call en them to
bear the opposition made against them with patience,
as it is evident to all who examine the
subject, that said opposition, if not immediately
withdrawn, must he overcome, and they admitted
to enjoy their rights. Vours, respectfully,
W L
REMARKS OP MR. BAKER, OP IlHJKHfl.
IN THK
HOUSE OF RKPKESEftTATIVEA,
On the acceptance of Mr. GrinnelPs offer of vessel*
for the Sir John Franklin Expedition.
Mr. BAKER said :
I propose to detain the Houso a few moments,
to express my hearty assent to the resolutions
under discussion; and I have deemed it proper
to say something in their support, because I represent
a district very remote from the ocean, yet
one whose inhabitants feel a kindly sympathy for
the distinguished navigator, for whom I trust renewed
search is to be made. It is objected, sir,
I t hut this was Hn English expedition, to acoom
| plish British purposes From whatever port it
may have sailed, and whatever flap it hore, its
object was scientific exploration, anil its purpose
was one of universal benefit. Sir John Franklin
and the gallant men who have shared his perils
have gone out upon a voyage of discovery,
prompted by noble impulses. With no guide but
4thcir own genius and Providenoe, they hare
sought to accomplish results which are to benefit
not only Englnnd, but America; not only America,
but the world ; not only this generation, but
all generations. Sir, I for one acknowledge the
obligations such an enterprise imposes upon civilization
everywhere, and I think It just ami
graceful to stamp the expedition which goes to
its relief with a national character.
But it is said that the proposed expedition is
one of a private nature, by which the gentlemsn
who equips it seeks to gain some glory to himself.
Sir, I am glad it is so. I will grant aid to Mr.
Orinnell now as readily as I would have done to
Columbus if I had been a citizen or legislator of
Spain in the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella. It
is this generouslove of glory which I admire; it
was this which prompted the "world-seeking
Genoeee" to the noblest enterprise of any age,
and kept him firm amid terrified mariners, and on
an unknown and stormy sea It is this which
kindles high hearts to all great enterprises , and,
sir, when this love of glory seeks it aooomplishment
in noble discovery and princely munificence,
I not ooly admire but honor it; and I am honored
in being allowed to aid it.
But, sir, the whole American people have an
interest in these expeditions. It is no longer
true of England, that she is the " mistress of the
ocean;" we, too, hold our "march upon the
mountain-wave"?our keels vex evegy ?ea; and
whatever opens new channels of commerce, adds
to our wealth and dominion. And yet I am disposed
to place the support of this measure upon
higher ground It has been said that literature
belongs to no age and no country. It may be repealed
of discovery and invention, as the benefit
is for all ages and all countries?for the world,
and for the whole family of man. Ho, I trust,
an enlightened statesmanship will send forth, in
the name of this great nation, messages of ennscIstion
and succor to the absent?not alone to relieve
them, hut also to assure all who may succeed
thein in the paths of adventurous peril, that
they shall neither be neglected nor forgotten.
Nor should the sacredneasof miifortnne be overlooked.
If these men had sought the northern
seas for mere private gain, even then the greatness
of their danger would reach the American
heart The noble woman who looks out upon the
" melancholy main" with eyes shining with hope,
yet dimmed with tears, does not and cannot appeal
to ns in vain. For one, I shall ^ respond to
the o*ll. Here is * publto-M|>mu*<i American
merchant, who, with a munificence equalling the
merchant prince* of Florence, equips his reaeels
and proposes to trarente the unknown regions of
the North to restore distinguished men to the
world, and husbands and .fathers to their homes.
He asks the Protection of our name and our laws.
Sir, let him hare them. Let us pot our flag at
the mast-head, our laws unon the deck, oar protection
around the ship. Itmy be our stars may
first gleam npon those watching eyes. Think
you, sir, they will not hail them with a wilder
joy when they oome to tell them that America
conducts the search 7
Bet it is said that this sympathy is fslt for Sir
John Franklin bseauss he bears a title. Sir, the
title has been sarnsd. It waa earned, I believe,
as Sir Jamas Ross and Sir John Parry hate
sarnsd theirs?by courage and deration, by snduranee
sad skill. The deeds which secure those
titles (Its n nobler distinction thna titles eso
bestow ; thee lies when titles are forgotten, and
the men who perform them are nobles, by " a
higher patent and en earlier crealioe."
1 agree, Mr. Speaker, with the honorable gentleman
from Virginia, (Mr. Ravmt,] that bis eiprsesioo,
characterising the proposed expedition
as a ' wild goose chase," wu moat unfortunate;
Is not worthy of his taste, nor does it do justice
to his kindness. Sir, 1 trust these brave
men arc yet safe. And if so, the gentleman
might have found, in the freshness and variety
of his reading, an analogy fhr more correct
and no leas elegant than the one with which
he has favored us. It is Bryant, I believe, sir,
who, in some of the most touching lines he has
given the world, describes the solitary way of the
wild bird in heaven, though distant and unseen.the
lonely not uncared for. Let us hope that, like
that bird, these wanderers may be watched by a
gracious eye, and by that benignant
" fewer whose ear*
Teaches their way along that trackless coast,
The dwert and illimitable airbone,
wandering, but not lost "
From the Cincinnati (O.) Uasette?Whig
feblHlVR 111.15L Uil III? UI.HrKUfllSE. i
The speech of Mr. Chime in the United States |
Senate, March !i6th, on Mr. Clay's compromise <
resolutions, fills nearly fifteen columns of the Na- j
tionnl Intelligencer. It in marked hy Mr.Chase's <
'Characteristic research and ability, snd may be |
ranked among the ablest efforts which hate been
elicited in the Senate in the protracted debates <
upon the subjects of slavery, the Proviso, the ad- ]
mission of California, and topics kindred to these. <
We nre desirous that Mr. ChaBe should be heard t
by our readers, but are obliged to limit ourselves j
to a brief synopsis of the points advanced by him. 1
THR VOICE OP MASSACHUSETTS.
The following resolves have passed both branch- '
es of the Massachusetts Legislature:
Whereas the people of Massachusetts, acting c
under a solemn sense of duty, hate deliberately
and repeatedly avowed their purpose to resist the 1
extension of slavery into the National Territo- *
ries, or the admission of new slate States into the
Union, and, for these ends, to apply in every F
practical mode the principles of the Ordinance of a
1787, also, to seek the abolition of slavery and a
the slave trade in the District of Columbia, and 5
the withdrawal of the power and influence of the 11
General Government from the support of slavery. 11
so far as the same may be constitutionally done;
and whereas the important quepfjQns now heforo
thedonmry ifiak^irt: desirable lhat'these contic- "
tions should he reaffirmed ; Therefore,
Resolved\ That the people of Massachusetts
earnestly insist upon the application by Congress "
of the Ordinance of 1787, with all possible sanctions
and solemnities of law, to the territorial pos- v
sessions of the Union, in all parts of the con- *
tinent, and for all coming time.
Rvolvai, That the people of Massachusetts "
cherish the Union with unabated attachment; .
that they will support the Constitution ; that, appreciating
the inestimable benefits flowing from
it., they" believe it better for all parties and sections,
with reference to any existing evils, to wait
and work patiently under and through the Constitution,
than to destroy it; ami they have no
dnubl that they hold these sentiments in common
with overwhelming majorities of the people of
these United States ; but, in any event, they will
follow their principles, deterred by no threats of
disunion and no fear of consequences.
Risolrrrt, That the Integrity and permanence of
American power on the Pacifio Ocean, the increase
of our commeroe and wealth, the extension
of our institutions, and the cause of human freedom
on this continent, require the immediate admission
of California into this Union, with her
present Constitution without reference to any
other question or measure whatever.
Rtsolvnl, That the sentiments of the people of B
Massachusetts, as expressed in their legal enact- n
ments, in relation to the delivering up of fugitive c
slaves, remain unchanged; and inasmuch as the
legislation necessary to give effect to the clause of s
the Constitution relating to this subject is within 8
the exoluaive jurisdiction of Congress, we hold it r[
to he the duty of that body to pass such laws only (,
in regard thereto as ?su i? ?>y m,
lio sentiment of the free States, where such laws 1
are to be enforced, and which shall especially se- '
cure to all persons, whose surrender may he '
claimed, as having escaped from labor and service (
in other States, the right of having the validity of
such claim determined by a jury in the State j
where such claim is made.
Reiolved, That the people of Massachusetts, in
the maintain ince of these their well-known and
invincible principles, expect that all tbeir officers
and representatives will adhere to them, at all ^
times, on all occasions, and under all circum- ^
stances.
R/soltnl, That his Eicellency the Qovcrnor he
requested to transmit a copy of those resolutions ?
to each of the Senators and Representatives of
Massachusetts, in the Congress of tho United j"
States. J
For th? National Kra
SLAVERY SINFUL I.N ITSELF,
AND NON KKI-liOWNHIP OF THOKK PKAWICINU J1
IT THE DUTY OK THE CHRISTIAN CHUKCH.
No. 10. ?
WliHHM I inllnml ^
loth. Others, again, perverting the design of ,)
Scripture, say : " We nmst be subject to the
powers that be." What they mean by this man- u
gled quotation from Horn, xiii, I, is, that the laws fl|
of the land have sanctioned slavery, and we H|
Christians must not oppose these laws, but let the
relation of master and slave alone until legislators (IJ
shall choose to repeal the existing laws. Thisob- C|
jection is often raised in our laud. We reply:
1. The laws of Kentucky require no man to
buy slaves; nor do they prevent him from emnn- a
cipating those he now owns; nor do they forbid 0|
liberty of speech and of the press to non-alnveholders
and others in opposing slavery; but guar- n,
anty to all liberty of speech and the press in the j
most explicit terms. 8ee present Constitution, _(
article x, section 7. j
U. The teif, correctly quoted, was never p,
designed to teach that we should refrain from ^
religious doty, because human governments may I(|
oppose. On the other hand, the 8oriptures |t
plainly teach that we are not to obey human m
governments when they conflict, with conscience? |fl
when they require acts either impious or immor- t|
al. Thus the three Hebrew children refused to
bow down to Nebuchadnexxar's golden image, ^
though commanded so to do by the laws of the j,land.
Th- Hebrew midwifes refused to put to i/(
death the male children, though the King had
commanded it. And when theHanhedrim?" the p,
powers that be "?commanded I'eter and John to ^
speak no more in the name of Jesus, they replied,
(> Whether it be right in the Bight of Ood to q
hearken unto you more than onto Ood, judge ye." H|
Acts iv, lu The text, then, construed so as to
harmonize with other Scriptures, means only that c(
we are to be obedient to human governments
when they coincide with Divine government?
do not interfere with religioua or moral dntiee.
To this the context agrees, when it deolaree that
rulers are to be a terror to evil doers, and that
they are to be the " ministers of good to those
who do right." Mee verses fid and 4th.
The question to he settled by the Apoetle was
not whether we ahould la all cases obey rulers,
even when they stood opposed to religious duty, hi
This point had been settled But Judaixing A
tf*CD*r* naving wugm mm L-nrn-uiinn, uriag in o
allegiance to God, ought not to obey heathen or
idolatrous government* in any thing, this er- w
ror the A poftle corrected, by rnjoining the gen- tu
oral principle of ohedienoe, declaring that g?i>
rrnttuid ia of Divine appointment; and ruling in fc
their appropriate ephere, ruler* are to be obeyed, tl
Hut thin obedience to government is not, from m
what we have area, to be eo oonetrued aa to hin- p
der ua from doing duty to God or to man. at
3. Theae objector* do not suppose that their d
obedience "to the power* that be" ia to be so m
construed as to prevent them from acting in the b
temperance cause and other queationa of reform, el
Though dram-selling ia sanctioned by the lawe of w
the land, yet they feel that neither individual o:
Christiana nor chnrches should sanction the prne- 8
tice We should he (itreful that Inoureagerneen tl
to find excuses to^ree ns from aetion and reepon- o
sibility, we do not "steal the livery of ileeven to I
serve the devil In." o
11 th. Others say, " slavery is a political matter, ?
end a* such Christian* have nothing to do with
it" We ask? a
I. Have not Christians political rights and n
political duties ee well aa othar people 1 And if a
so, is it not right to talk, write, and read, about II
these rights end dutias, ao that wa may aot Intel- t
ligrntlr and right 1 i
a. Slavery is one of those subjects which v
involves both a political and moral er religious 1
question. It ia political beeauae It involves a J
fundamental principle in hamen government? i
personal liberty j end because governments hav* I
legislated upon it. It also involves n moral or t
religions question, because it takes away from t
man hi* dearest right?his right to personal <
ownership ; it Ttolate* a fundamental principle of
Uod'g religion, u Lot? to our neighbor a* ourirlve*,"
an<l it involves a positive duty on our
part " Remember those in bonds as bound with
them"?Heb xiii, 3. "Do unto others as you
would they should do to you;" and at the judgment
tiay Christ will say to those who neglect
his representatives or his creatures. " Inasmuch
as ye did it not to one of the least of these ray
ireaturee, (that is, as the context shows, acts of
mercy,) ye did it not to me Depart, ye cursed, into
tverlnsting fire, prepared for the devil and his
ingels." It is at the peril of oar souls' solvation
to neglect to plead and labor for the oppressed.
It is a religious duty. " Pure and undefiled religion,''
says James, " is to visit the fatherless and
he widow in their affliction, and to keep ourlelves
unspotted from the world." Every man
tnowe that it is as much our duty to visit the
motherless in their affliction, as the fatherless
But the design in the terf to take specific caws,
the fatherless and the widow, as illustrations
>f a general principle?mercy or love?and there...
ik.< ? >L:
jf mnry to ?mk, mil parity before God, answering
to what is taught in other places, that religion
ioa?i*ts in loss to God and lore to man To
plead for the oppressed f? then a Trillions tfury.
3. Christians do not excuse themselves from
luty or responsibility on other questions, merely
because they may have also a politionl character
>r aspect-. The observance of the Sabhath. dramtelling,
adultery, theft, and murder, all these are
xtlitical questions?the Legislatures have passed
aws concerning them But do Christians and
churches plead that they have nothing to do with
hese questions, because they are political quesions?
Will the preachers be silent, and will
he churches refuse discipline on these questions,
tecinsethe Legislatures have passed laws conerniDg
them ? No! And they would not refuse
o speak and act on this question of slavery, were
tnot forinterrtt, fear of public sentiment, or, with
ome. false notions of religious duty.
We have frequently noticed that some of these
ireaehers. Christians, and chnrches, do not refuse
ction when they have a chance to please pnblio
entiment. promote the Interest of the master,
nd rivet tighter the chains of the slave. We ,
wfully fear that some of these Christians are |
iot dealing faithfully with their own souls, as >
veil as.neglecting God'*poor. i
The religion of Christ, as illustrated by him- ,
itfv <&* .<* it nec -oar sit'T r If* i,- Jkr
ther side, as the Prieet and Levitedid, but to go |
o the suffering nun, pour in his wounds the oil ]
.nd the wioe of cotnfor', place him upon our own
east, take him to the inn, a place where his
rants e tu be supplied, thrust our hands in our
ockets and defray expenses, until the robbed
nd bruised man is healed. This is the religion
f Christ
lath " Well," says another, " I believe slavery ,
s a great sin, and that the church ought not to .
ellowship it, but these divisions and discussions i
lause so much fusa and opposition that I think
hey do more harm than good?peaoe is best." (
True, peace is best; hut to he lasting, ami ac- ]
leptahle to God, it must he on right prinei- <
>les. James says,''The wisdom which is from ?
bove is first purr, then / wwtAA??full of mncg {
ind good frvtis^ without jMirtuilify, and without by- I
>ocrisy." James iii, 17. idittoaiiNtatn churches
Tact icing or functioning "the moat atrocious of
11 evils," "the Bum of all villanies "?manlealing,
extortion, adultery, and fornication?ia
his "itkityT" Is this the wisdom sent down
rom shore, and recorded in 1 Cor., v, 10, 11, 11,
ud 1 Tim, 1, lo? Brother, good as are your intuitions,
and much as you think it religion, it is
he prompting of selfish ease, the policy that
riea, "a little more folding of the hands to
leep"?of the sloth that sleeps well fed from the
jangled oarcanses of others.
Yes, reader, at the present time, in our own
itate, and in all the States of the South, the
lave-cotHes may be seen marching in sad procesion
along our highways. The groans of innoent
men and women, sold hy members of our
hurohes, may he heard in o?r prisons, and the
UnkUig ?f their chains Ui our streets.- Atni you
teed but read the journals of the day, or open
rour eyes and look arouud you, to be convinced
if the fact. And nil this without a single word
)f rebuke or admonition from the churohes. Yes,
irother, your ease is bought by the smothered
groans of fathers, the wailing of mothers, and
he shrieks of innocent children?the crushed
'ight* of three millions of slaves, and the damnaion
of masters, mistresses, sons, and daughters,
ormenting each other with death-groans. Will
rou ask for peace upon such conditions 7
And do you expect to expel such an enemy
rithout a struggle 7 Can you extract a tooth of
aany fangs without pain, or dig up the sturdy
uk of the forest without blows ? And when an
astitution like American slavery has shot its
oota deep, entwined around the Interests and
rejudiccs of men, pervading every department of
Dciety, entrenched behind law, fcignedly saneioned
by religion, and hallowed by timo?are we
) expect such an institution to be removed with- r
ut commotion ? Those who do, declare at once c
leir own faint hearts, or a want of reflection.
,et not our ecclesiastical bodies any longer boast *
r the ease with which they disposed of the claims n
r three millions of slaves?of the lullabys they c
ing, and the harmony they enjoyed in rejecting v
le piteous cry of the poor bondmen.
There were those in olden time who cried, E
Peace, peace, when there was no peace." And
lall a Christian now nsk for peace when the
:one out of the wall and the heam out of the "
mber is ready to cry out?when the public *
lind is surging like a troubled ocean, and the "
rash of falling churches, daubed with untem- '
ered mortar, is like the sound of a coming earth- *
uake ? He is a faint-hearted physician that *
in't nrnbe the wound to the bottom, and bring
it the festering cause. p
Also, the Saviour has told us that he " oame n
?t to send ftesoe, hut a sword." Math, x, 34 b
'hat is, although the Gospel itself is pure and n
ntle in its tendencies, yet those practicing in- e
luitouH systems or wrongs of any kind will op- ti
ose it, even to the sundering of father and son, s
other and daughter. See ver. 37. " And a (
tan's foes shall be they of his own household." i
ut mark, "lie that, loveth father or mother i
ore thnn me, Is not worthy of me ; and he that i
veth son or daughter more than me, is not wor- t
iy of me." i
And let us consider the example of Christ, who i
ft the peace aud glory which he had with the <
ather, came down to earth, and in his labors of t
tiiu; good, suffered privation, hardship, peraeouon,
and shame. Yes " the t/uiiituin?ni of our t
face was laid on him " And shall not we, who N
ave freely received, freely givs? (
80 long as we wear the name of Christ, of ,
histian, let us blush for shame, if we ever again G
ik fur peace whilst a single slave piteoualy c
roan* )*?neath the galling yoke or the clanking <
lain. John G. Kick f
Cahrn Cr'fii, K nlutky <
(to *k cotmM'CP.] t
AMERICAN AND FOREIGN ANTI-SLAVERY '
SOCIETY. J
The Tenth Anniversary of this Hociety was 4
eld in the Broadway Tabernacle, New York,
lay 7th, at three o'clock, P. M. Selections of <
cripture were read, and prayer offered. '
The following abstract of the Annual Rcpobt 1
as then presented by the Corresponding Hecre- <
iry, Lrwi* Tappan :
The Report ahowa that the intention of our
>refethers in eeteablishlng the great principle of
le equality of man baa, tnus far, been moat eigally
defeated by an oligarchy of a twenty-fifth
art of the legal voter*, who by menace and
rategy hare contrived to govern the nation
uring tbrea-fonrtha of the timealnee the Governlentwaa
organised. It taken notloe of the1 vicioua
argain' imputed to the fraaera of the Condtution,
and ahowa th at they ax peoted t bat alavery
'onId aoon die oat, and that it existe in deapite
ftho spirit of the Declathtlon and Constitution ,
levrry ban bean prevented from extending to
ke Pacific by anti-elavery efforte. and a vigorous
ontlnuance of them will save New Meiloo and
Ftah from the aocnrsed system, Abolitionista are
ailed upon to renew their exertions, and to per vere
to the end.
The Executive Committee have employed
gents to distribute their publications la CallforTa,
and have in press an Address to the lahabttnts
of New Mexico, both in Spanish and Engish,
showing the unprofltableneee of slave labor;
hey have incurred considerable expense in I strung
and circulating extensively various anti-elaery
publications; they have sent circulars la
argt numbers Into all the free States on the subset
of petitioning Congress, end n very large
lumber of petitions have been presented to that
Mdy in ooueqaeaoe. The Corresponding 8sorcery,
who has devoted the principal part of hie
Ime to the eanea the pest year, has kept up an
ixtensivs correspondence, both In this and for-'
eign countries The meina to carry on the operations
of the Society hare been contributed by
the members of the Committee and other friends
of the cause, and after all the expenditures, there
remains in the treasury upwards of two thousand
dollars.
A surrey of the history of the Anti-Slavery
cause for the year is then taken, in relation to the
action of Ecclesiastical bodies, of Congress, and
State Legislatures, reference is made to the distribution
of the Bible among slarea, to the state
of religion at the South, to the moral destitution
of slare States, to the unequal political power of
the North and Sooth, to the Nashville Convention,
to theapostacy of Webster, to his new views of the
Wilmot Proviso, returning fugitives, and Colonitation
Society; to the attempt by Foots nod Clay
to compromise between Freedom and Slavery, to
the noble effort of Benton, to the moral heroism
of the Leonidas band of Free-8oUers in Congress
to Seward's high moral position in the Senare,
to the question respecting fugitives, to the
iniquitous laws and usages respecting people of
color, to their improvement in variont ways, to
Caste, to the Colonisation Society, to Slavery and
the Slave Trade as they now exist in Washington
and the slare States, to the arrogance of the slave
power, to tbe treatment ot JNotnern oittiens at tbe
South, to the violence on the post office in Sooth
Carolina, to the moral destitution of the South
and the corrupt state of its theology, to the increasing
anti-slavery feeling and sentiment st the
South, to the free and pro-slavery press at the
North, to the state of thing* in the West Indies
and other foreign countries, and to the work demanded
of all who hate Slavery and love their
country.
KCCl.KSIASTtCAL ACTION.
A review is taken of the doings of the General
Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church, 0. S. and
N. S., and of the American Board of Commission ers
for Foreign Missions, and mention is made of
the advice to the Utter by the Dutch Reformed
Church; the position of the Amerioan Home
Missionary Society with regard to slavery is noticed
; and also a statement made of the action of
the Genenl Association of Connecticut, Dr. Ra
con's Report, Ac, of the New England Conference
of the Methodist Episcopal Church , of ihe op
positon of a Southern association to man's natural
rights, and the injurious advice and statements
riven by Southern ministers at our theological
leminaries and public meetings.
of wseoJgKjeigainst
slavery by the following ecclesiastical
bodies The General Association of Mt?ss. Convention
of Congregational ministers of Mass., the
Presbyteries of Franklin, O., Ottawa. III., Marion,
lo, Indisnapolis, Ind , West Alei*t?d?r, Pa., tho
Synod of Illinois, Free Synod of Cincinnati, Reformed
Presbyterian Synod of North America,
N. Y. Synod of Associate Reformed Church, Iowa
State Convention of Universalists, Independent
Congregational Church at Brownhclm, O, Central
Association of Illinois, the American Baptist
Free Mission Society, American Missionary Aslooiafion,
Wisconsin Conference of Wosleyan
Methodist Connection, the Christian Anti-Slavery
Convention at Cincinnati. The latter body relolved
unanimously to withdraw from slaveholding
ihurches, and churches and ecclesiastical bodies
tolding fellowship with slaveholders, and from
nissiouary societies having any connection with
he ain of slavery.
It la stated that the General Assembly, O. 8,
/ras memorialized to declare slavery a sin, to prepare
a plan of aliolition, and to alter certain terms
ind passages In the Act of 1t45, relating to tdarery,
and that resolutions were adopted, in reply ?
with only one dissenting voice?that the subject
belongs to secular rather than eccleswstual legists
lures; that the Assembly has said and done all it
aan with propriety; that it aims to keep free from
r&nuticism, and to enoourage the religious instruction
of the slave by the slaveholder and the pastor.
Anti-slavery passages have been expunged
Yomthe Hymn Hook and " Keith's Evidences,"
ately published by the Assembly; and its charrnter
continues pro-slavery. The deport speaks
if the great ;>%rade made by the N. 8 Assembly
in styling ?Uv*ry n inn, tte., and Mump who hoM tlaves
in the legiu muisc as eitiucis n*.?tuai Uo<t
tnd man, while slaveholding ministers are fellowthiped,
and no discipline is recommended to the
churches; of the attempt made in the Assembly,
to prevent nnti-slaverv discussion; and of the
treat dissatisfaction which its proceedings have
mcasioned, especially at the West.
The deport states that the A. B. C. P. M. dieippointrd
and grieved the friends of the slave at
heir last meeting, that Mr. Treat's highly sat factory
letter has been virtually withdrawn, and
t? position abandoned , that the Board seems decrmined
to allow the admission of slaveholders
uto the mission churches. In answer to the docrine
that only the abuses of slavery ar? sinful, it
s affirmed that the abuses are part and parcel of
ho system. The Hoard is oonjured to use its inlucnce
legitimately against slavery, for the replication
of public sentiment at home, and the pronotion
of a higher Christian practice in the
harches, inasmuch as the more elevated is the
noral sense of the nation, the more abundant
rill be the aid afforded In the work of misions;
and it is said that no Miaaion Hoard
an expect to retain the confidence of Christians
rho are opposed to slavery while they refuse to
iclude the practice of slaveholding from their
nission churches.
The prosperous condition and increased re
ources of the American Missionary Association is
nentioned, which is ascribed, nndcr God, to its
trict anti-slavery character, at home and abroad ;
,l*o, the Huocewi* of itM colporteurs in distributing
lible* in slave Slates. and of iU missionaries in
stahlishing churches that hare no fellowship with
laveholders.
The Attfriain Ham* Muiionary Socvty is comlainwl
of for requiring that the credentials of its
lissionarlcs sent into slaveholdlng communities
>e acceptable to the ministerial body of their deominatian
within whose bounds they are appdlntd
to lal>or ; that, according to oomtnon belief, its
ifty Missionaries in the slave States all receive
laveholders to the communion of the chnrch as
Christians in good standing; that its missionaries
n the slave States collect funds for the Society,
rhlch tiow Into its oomtnon treasury; and It is
ihown that the assertion, that no missionary would
>e suffered to reside or preach in any slave State,
rho should inculcate an anti-slavery Gospel, is
noorrect, as missionaries sustained by other solieties
do preach such a Gospel, and from such
:hurches there.
The Report states that the common opinion,
hat the M*'hot/iU Kpi.tcojml Church, North, is
mti slavery, is a mistake ; that the action of the
Jenrral Conference whioh l<d to the separation
ra* not against slavery or siaveholding by the
rtetnherthifi or ministry, but simply by the Epii
Ojwicy, una that not upon principle, urn on tor
[round of expediency, brought about bjr the
iouthern, anil not by the Northern member*, who
lid what they could to prevent it It 1* elated
.bat official document* ebow that there are at the
jreeent time in the Northern General Conference
hi fit annual Conference*, a part of the whole of
irhoae territory i* in the *lsveboIding States, and
hat it ia computed that there are in that part of
he church not lea* than four thouaand *lareholdtre,
and twenty-eeTen thouaand slaves.
The Report apeak* highly of the thorough antiilavery
character of the WetUytn Mnhodut Conuction,
which baa eitended ite operation* through
ill the free States. ha* twelve yearly Conference*,
nore than twenty thouaand communicants, ana
not leu* than Are hundred minintere, three of
ehoDi are laboring with great ancceea In Virginia
ind North Carolina?one of them having been
:hree time* put upon hie trial in Virginia on the
iccuMtion of violating the slave lawa, but he i?
dill at large, preaching an anti-slavery Gospel
I'hi* example ia held up for the imitation of
be American Home Missionary 8ociety and
lindred bodies.
coRuaans.
The Report givea a general view of the doings
n both llooeaa with reference te the obiat gcx?novof
the etate of the parties; of the efforts
nade for the erection of a portion of Texas and
Mew Mexico Into a slave State, to be ealled Jasin
to; of the resistance made in the Senate to the
reoeption of the resolutions of Vermont, and nu
serous anti-slavery petition! that nave dmb
Cred into Congrasw from nil porta of the frta
ton, and the final abrogation of tba rule of tan
jroara' standing in the Senate, by which motions
fbr the reception of snoh petitions have been laid
upon tba table; of Mr. C Lay's Compromise Rasotlona
and tpaaoh , of Mr. Mason's Mil for tha reclamation
of fogitive slares; of tha rejection of
Mr. Root's resolution for providing "Territorial
Governments ? priMntiA# itavery therein ; of the
rejeotion of Mr. Giddlap's resolutions, In which
ware embraced the cardinal truths of the Declaration
of lodependenoe and the Ordinance of
1787; of tha threats of disunjon by theskeeftold
log mem bet's, of tha snhnarvienoy of nsveral
Northern members; and of tha able speeches made
by members of both the Democratic and Whig