Rev. John Scotford

We intendcd to have givcn the letter of Mr I Scotfonl published two weeks since, an earliei noticc, but had neíther lime nor room. Ab we endorscd theletlerofthc "Weslcy.irs." wc foei ourselvcs called upon to enter upon ite defence. Mr. S. proposes to malte war, on tht tysfem of slave holding, but Iet the slaveholder alone. He calis American slavery (in the languogc of Wesley) "the vilest that ever saio the sun'.' - "tjie sum of all villakies," yet he would not have us commence a labor with th rillauis, nor have thom expelled tlic church. An admirable way this of aflecting reiorm in the earth! Why not extend this system to n!l other sins? Why not preach against Jicentiousncs3, fraud, larceny, or liorse-stealing as a sistem, and let all those engaged in these crimes remain in the communion of :he church? They could then enjoy a reputation for piety which would "embalm their memory in the hearls of the pious for ages lo come," and could go down to their graves after a lifc ofadultery or theft in full fellowslíip with the Cliristian Churcb. Slavery, if we understand Mr. S., should be cradicated byfpolitical action, but should not be made a disciplinable ofFence in a Christian church. The rod of correction should be Jaid on the "vülany," but not on the villain. Our views on this 3ubject are well known.This great abomination, our country's curse, is'to bo removed by moral and political action, nnd it uught to be a matter of the deepest sliame to Cliristion churches that they tolérate in their micist an ïniquity which eome of our corrupt legislntors have abolished. Froni what we know of the M. E. Church in this State, we havo reason to believe, that she wou ld pennit her ministers and membcrs to huij and hold slaves ifour taws did not forbid it. Would Mr. Scotford attempt to justify such a state of things? That tliis is a true statement of the position of the M. E. Church a few facts wül demónstrate. METHODIST MINISTERS DEFJOXD SLAVERT. If this should be denied.hero follows the proof. ' ' The Coun ter Appcal. ' ' "The general rule of Clinstianitjj not onïy permit?, hut in supposable circumstanccs. enjoins a continuancc of the matlsr's authorlty." "I Cor. 7, 20-23- Th ia text seems mainly to enjoin and sanction the fitting conlinvance of their present social relations; the freeman was to remain fice, and the lave, unless enancipation should offer, was to remain a slave." "The New Testnmnnt enjoins obedience upon the6lavo asan obligation due to a present rightftd anthortv.TV. Fishc, E. T. Taylor, John Lindsey, Jaco1) Sanbom, B. Othcman, H. H. TVMle." H. S. Ramsdcll, All of these men were distinguished and bighly talcnted ministers of the M. E. Church in New Englnnd. Tcstimony of Itev. W. Fiskc. "The relation of master and slave, may nnd does in many cases, exist, undersucli circumst.ines. nsfree the masier froni the jnst charge and uilt of immorality."- Leitzr to Rev. T. Mcrrit. Tcstimony of Rev. E. D. Simvis, Professor of Languages, Randolph Macon College. "These extracts from hox,t vvrit u.vequivoCALLY ASSKRT THE KTGHT OF PROPEHTY U slaves- logether wit! the usual incidenis of that right. The right to huy and seli, and to transmit to children by way of inherilance is clearly stated. : Having established the point, that the fiïst African slaves were legally bronght into bondage, the right to detain their diilchen in bondage, folIov8 as an indispensable consequence. "Thus we see, thatthe slavery which existe in Ameica, wasfoundcd in right. Bis'iop Hcdding. The right to hold a slave is founded on this rule, "Therefore, all things vvhatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; tor this is the la w nnd the prophets. " Ch. Ad. and Journal, Oct. 60, 1837Here a Bishop, the highest oiïïcer in the M. E. Church defends slavery from the "golden rule."O corgia Conference. Resolved, "That it s the sense ofthis Conference thatslavery as it exists in these United States is not a moral evil." Passsd unaniviously, 1837. The South Carolina Conference followed in the wake of the Georgia Conference; nnd carne to the conclusión that "slazcry teas not a moral evil." Dr. Capers, one of the most distinguished members of this Conference, said "Aia inteniion was to convey theszniimeiitful'y and unequivocally that slavery is not a moral evil." The Ealtimore Conference in 1837 passed a resolution directly sanctioning the slave trade, providing the "purposes are kind," and the "in temions good." "The simple fact of the pnrehnse or sale' of a slave or slaves," is not to be condemed. It is imposeible 10 sanction the slave trade, wuhout sanctioning slavery. So we think. The General Conference. The General Conierence ol the M. E. Church has positively refuscd to ake exceptions to the doings oí the abovc conferences. And the course of those ministers who have defended slavery has been passed in profound silencc, while those who are l.ibonng for ihe "extirpation of the cryimr evil of slavery." have been censured and condemned, as the following resolution abunduntly shows. "Resolved, by the delegates of the animal conferences in General Conference asscmbled. That we are decidedly opposed to modern abolitionisfn, and wfaolly disclaim any right, wish, orintention, to interfere in the civil and political relation between master and slave, as it exists in the slaveholding states ofthis Union." A moiion was made to amend this íesolution by adding the words of the discipline, "Although we are as inuch as ever convinced of the great evil of slavery." But the motion was lost and the resolution pnssed by a vote of 120 to 14. At this same Conierence, which was in 1836, the Rev. W. Winans, a popular preacher, and a southern delégate confessed himselfa slavcholdr; and solemnly asserted that "i: was important to the interests of the slaves, and in view of the questiun of elavery, that there bo Christians ivho were slavcholdere. Chriatian ministersshould bc slavcholders and difí"isrd throughou . tbe'somh." Yes, he repeated thcre should b "membcrs, and dkacons, and :r.rErts, an BI SHOPS too, who were slaveholdei s." At the Jast session of the General Conference i the folipwing resolution was passed. "That it is inexpedient and unjustifiab Ie foi any prencher to admit the testimony of coloree persons in church trials in those States wher they nre prohibitcd frorn tesülying in cases a law." This rcsoluiion wns pnesed for the accorr modalion of slavchelders; for surely it vvould b of no interest to tho colored man to have it pas sed, and the church in the non-slaveholdin0 staics di:i not not ask it, though many of hc delegates voted for t. JVow we would ask Mr. Scotford in all sober ness. iflhe abovo facls do not irresistibly force iis to the conclusión tltat the M. E. Church in United States sanctioiis and tolcrates slavery. - As wfcll might he deny the shining of tho sun at noon-day as to deny the fact. Now ifthe church by her ministers and her annual conferences contend for the right of slavery, if the Bishops (as is the fact) refuse to put the question, for the adoption of respin tions by Annual Conferencc3 dcclaring slavery a i yin. and at the same time pcraiit southern conferences tu declare t "nol a moral cv:l," the inferenco is fair, tho fact is known and read of all men, that the church of wliich Mr. Scotibrd is a Minister designcdly tolérales and sanctions slavery. And if slavery, ns Mr. S. contends, is the lsum of all pillanies," and American slavery "the vilesi that ever saw the si.n," is it too niuch to say that she ''as givcn the most perfect abetment to this in calculatlt wrong," and that "ksr higlustjudi-catory'has joined the crusade of rolbery;" &c. and that the l 'poteer and infi'ience of the M. E. Church isplcdgcd to the support of the foulest tyranny?" Wc think nol. Andiffriend Rcotford should review tho subject, and become familiar with uil the facts in the case [but asinall part ofwhich ïre given above] we -doubt not but he would ;omc to the same conclusión with ourselves. sA t respects our '■jjining the crusade against the jovernment of the M. E. Chnrcii," we have o say. that wheri the power vested in the handa )f the authoj-ities of the church is brought to )ear unj'.isily upon any its tïiinisters or members n account of'their devotion to the principies of iberty, or their opposition to slavery, we shall akc the liberty to defond the oppressed against he cruelties and abusos of the oppressor. tVe have no controversy with any one respectng the secession f rom the M. E. Church. - Vhether the warfare on the part of the oíd church s defensivo or not. is not our province to : jrmine. Those who go for huinanity and equal ghtfl have our sympathies wherever they are und. . . c r[CFOn the 23th uh. Col. Webb received his sentence fur leaving the Staio to fight a duel. - The Rfcordr observed th.it this was the only offunce in which a mere intent was punished. It was puniahed, too. in one State, while the act wnseoniniitted in anothcr. It w;3 the firet conviction that had occurred under the liv. The Court tlicn ronounced the sentence, which was imprisonment in the State Prison at Sing Sing íor twi ycars, the shorteat term allowed. A petiiion for his pardon, with faurteen tlious-ind signatures, has heen presented to Governor Seward. We npprehend liis Exccllciicy will íot inlerpose to rescuc the Colonel frorn the hands of strict justice. Mis íirmness in refusing to pirdon in the case of Ralhbun. Colt. and otlicrs. has received the approval of the best citizeris oí ourcouniry. We should like to inquire of our Whig friends, vvhether this incarceration of Webb is juat? If you answer yes. will you not agree that your favoiite candidate for the Prcsidency deserves to be sent to the same place, for a much longer penod? What do you say? Sinco the abovc wns i (ypo, we have received the following: - Col. Webb Pardoned. - A message arrived frotn Governor Seward. this morning, giving a free and unconditional pardon to Col. Webb. - He was promptly liberated uuon the receipí of the pardon, and had the pleasure of leaving his jlace of confinement at-the Tombs, for the comfortable fireside of his wife and children. - Ncio York Exjjrcss, November 29."Bemêmber thit the JVhigs of tl is State are infovnr of continuing the, acexvstd ss'f.m. (slavzry) at Washington. Not a singlo, Wk'ig paper icill dare deny it." - Hignal of Liberty. Our neighbor in bis desire 10 find a phuntom to ight, hns a lhtle overleaped the mark in his denunciations of ihe whig press. Wc undertake o say that tliere is not a whig paper in t!e State tliat would not lend a helping hand to abolsh slavery. not only in the District ot Columbia, )ut throughout iho United States, could it be done by tlieir eilbrts. Thcy have on all occasions been the advocates of the right of petition, and sustained members of Congress in all legal eflbrts to bring tibout ihe universal emanciparon of the slave. - State Gazclta. Let us see whether we have overleaped the mark. Slavery will only cease to coniinue in Washington by the action of the Federal Government. If you are not in favor of that action, you must be in favor of its continuance. Let ushave I no -tiodging - w-hen the Gazctte will say. "Wc are in favor of the immediate discontinuance of slavery in Washington, by authority of Congress," we will agree that it is not in favor of continuing it. There can be no middle ground. Wtien you will say th is, we will back sqiare out andadmitwc were mistaken. Come, sir, what do you say? ttJJRev. John Pierpont lately preached a sermen on the occasion of the imprisonment of Latimer, from this text: " And thcy covcnantcd loith himfor thiriy pieces of silecr." He showed that this covennnt of Judas, and that by which we have agreed to return fuitives from slavery, re on the same footing, both cqually void. All oaihs, covenants, or agreements, whïcli require us to disobey the commandments of God, or to do a-iy thing contrary to fundamental morality, are of no binning force whaiover. A covenant to enslnve a man is no more binding than one to uurder him. EFDawson, of the liochester Dcmocrat, in 3numerating {the noblest spirits of the great Whig party," in 1840, puts Hcnry A. Wise. at he heud of the list. Thcre is no accounting for astes, except on the oíd principie that "Birds of i feathcr," &c.t O'E. G. Austin. Attorncy for Grny, in the Latimer case, had come out m the Boston Atlas 1 uith two columns in vinclication of lus course in assisting the 6lave catcher, ond narrating the circuni8iances of tho caso. lie saya he only actccl in hid profcsxio?ial capaaty! lie declares he "has no inore favorable opinión of the institution of slavery than the most ardent of those who seek its abolishmeni"- no, not hel He has no 11 'ecling towards the abolitionists, nor is he sor ry that Laiimer is free. But then he does no conceive it to be a crime to counsel a stranger hcw to exercise his constituíional rights. No crime r.t all to help a slave-catcher in his infernal operatíons! If it be not a crime, it ought to be a disgrace; and this apology of Mr. Austin ia strong evidence that he fcels it to be so. JJy his own showing, itappears that he is willing, and dcsiroiis to reduce q man who is in fact free, to a stnte of horrid and unjust servitude. He volunteers for a reward to make agnan into a slave! Can he be entitled to respect? Wc would not do him injustice, but it would be right were he labelled'án Inrge letters U-THE SLAVE CATCHER, j . and then let every one yield him that esteein and coníidcnce lo whfch they might think him entiled. He should be welcome to all he couldget.The Case of Lalimcr. - Last week we mentioned that Latimer had been set free by the payment of $400 to his claimant. It seems, howver that he would have been Treed without ihe ayment of eny money. Coolidge, the jailor, elil Latimer on his private responsibility, by an rder from the claimant, irrthe public jiil. Eveeth, the Sheriff, coDsulted Judge Shaw, and ent an order to the jailer to dismiss Latimer ext day at 1 2 o'cloc'v, and therenfter not to reeive any persona claimed as a slave or person iele] to service in another State, without a warant from competente judicial authoiiiy of ihe State, or the United States. Mr. Gray's agent then feil in the pnce of Latimer from $1503.800, then to (,6)0, anl $-100 werc finally pqid for his lib'riy. The Latimer Journal, which was published eery other day while his case wüs panding has been suspended u:nil the next case occurs, when it will be resumed. In the mean time, the (olowing petition is in circulation, and will doubtless be cxtcnsively signcd. To thé Señale and Hovss of Rcpresentatwes of the State of Massackusrt.ts :J nc unclersigned, cmzens of the State of Massachusets earnestly desiring to iiee this Commonwealth and ihemselves from all connection with domestic slavery. and to secure thecitizens of this State ïrom the danger ofcnslavenient, respecffully pray yonr honorable body, 1. To forbid all persons holding office, undcr any law of ihis State, from. in ony way, oilicially or under color of office, niding orabettin the arrest or de'ention of any person daimed as a ("ugitive from slavery. 2. To forbid the use of our jails or public property, of nny description whatever. within the Commonweahh, in the detemion of any allced fugitivo from slavery. 3. To propose such amendments to 'he Constimtion of the Uniied States, as shall forever sejoarate the people of Maasachusaits frórn all connection with slavery. Tiius the abhorrence of slavery in the free States ia augmented by every attempt to enslave a man within their limits; and however long the southem menstealers may hold on their victims, in their own territory, v.-e belieye the free will Boon renounce all fellowship with the aborr.ination, and become "free indeed."[Crin his Brainlree speech, Mr. Adams commenied on ihe disproportion of offices held by 'Southern and Northern men. and among others rciérred to the present commander of the army, Gen. Scott, although without natning liim. Gen. Scoit has since written to Mr. Adams, nforming him that he is nor. a slavehoider. This single straic shows the change in public feeling. The time is hastening on whc-n a manstealer will be held in greater abhorrence than a sheepstealer. [CWe have omitted our miscellaneous department on the first pnce, to make room for the Address to the Massichusetts votéis. Every one shotild read it, and learn the true cause of our hard times. tCTIlead the extract from Bro. Treadwell's letter, and find howfree you are. Tour northern freedom consists in a choice between two slaveholding parties and Prcsidents. If you do not like one uporr trial, you can exchange it for the other. Glorious privilege this! We are not yet reduced to a level with the southern slavo, for wc can choose our own maaiers! ! [CTThe Liberty vote for Governor in NewYork, according. to the official returns, was'7,351; the vote for other officers was larger averaging about 8000. The great raiu probably kept about 500 liberty voters at hone.