Staunton Vindicator

"That noble martyr, Sumner, after having maintained a profound silence for several years, concluding, we suppose, that the reputation commissioned by the cane of Mr. Brooks is becoming somewhat threadbare, has at last essayed to edify the Senate with his eloquence, and it is to be surmised that he will continue to do so until some impertinence on his part induces another Southern gentleman to administer merited chastisement to his scarified back, and afford him an opportunity to relapse into the martyred condition which has proven so profitable to him in the past."

Baltimore Conference.

The following extract of the proceedings of the Baltimore Conference, just held at Winchester; we take from the Baltimore American. That clause in the Methodist Discipline relating to slavery has elicited in the last few months, much comment, but holding as we do, to the doctrine of religious tolerance, in its highest and strictest sense, we have hitherto studiously avoided writing anything which might have the appearance of interfering with the internal affairs of a religious denomination; but we cannot refrain from expressing, here, our proud satisfaction that these petitions emanated from the Valley of Virginia, and our earnest hope that their suggestions and reasoning may have such powerful weight with the General Conference as to induce that body to assert that this appearance of hostility to the institutions of Virginia shall no longer exist;

The Bishop here presented to the Conference memorials from the following places: Blacksburg circuit, East Rockingham circuit, Staunton station, August circuit, Churchville circuit, Lexington station, and Rockbridge circuit. The memorials refer to the slavery question and refer to the unpleasant and unjust position in which they are placed, it being asserted by the Southern church that they are tainted with Abolitionism, whilst the Northern branch of the Church, with which they are connected, give grounds for these charges, in the fact that they are constantly declaring that the Baltimore Conference is entirely agreed with the Northern church in their intense hatred of slavery, but are prevented through policy from declaring such hostility.

The memorialists say they have full confidence in the soundness of the members of the Baltimore Conference, and will remember through life the kind lessons of religious instruction received at their hands. These charges have however weakened the effectiveness of the Church and are daily growing more intolerable. The New York Christian Advocate is referred to, and its sentiments on the slavery question declared, by the memorialists, to be odious. The memorial concludes with an appeal to the Baltimore Conference to come out from the Northern abolition branch of the Methodist Episcopal Church, whose principles are in direct conflict with the ministers and members of the Methodist Church in Virginia, and declares that on the action of the Conference depends the prospect of the Church in the Valley.

Rev. E. P. Phelps moved that a committee of seven, one from each district, be appointed by the Bishop, to consider the memorial, to which the committee be added one Steward from each district.

Rev. D. Thomas said this was an important question, and should receive the greatest consideration. He moved an amendment to the resolution of Mr. Phelps. The amendment proposed the election by the Conference of four members from each district to form the committee. The amendment was voted down and the resolution of Mr. Phelps adopted. At another stage of the session Bishop Simpson announced the committee, composed of the following ministers and laymen: Rev. John Bear, A. Griffith, S. Register, J. Lanahan, G. N. Davis, Garner M. Goheen, A. Buhrman; Laymen, Col. J. S. Berry, J. S. Carson, A. L. Pitzer, P. Conway, R. Rickets, P. Herring and H. Stewart.

The introduction of the memorials created considerable excitement, and it is understood great efforts were made to prevent them from coming before the body. Much interest is expressed this evening as to the character of the report, which will be made on them some time to-morrow. It is thought if the Committee fails to recommend some action, the churches embraced in the Rockingham, Roanoke and Lewisburg Districts will take immediate steps towards a separation. If these districts determine to secede then the strength of the Baltimore Conference in Virginia will have departed, as these districts embrace the greatest portion of the territory held by them.

Conference then proceeded to select place for the meeting of the next Annual Conference. Staunton, Lewisburg and Fayette Street Station were put in nomination. Staunton received 97 votes, and 40 were cast against it, and it was declared chosen as the next place of meeting.

Revival.

We learn that an interesting revival is in progress at Greenville, in this county, under the management of the Ministers of the M.E. Church.

Baltimore Conference.

The following extract of the proceedings of the Baltimore Conference, just held at Winchester; we take from the Baltimore American. That clause in the Methodist Discipline relating to slavery has elicited in the last few months, much comment, but holding as we do, to the doctrine of religious tolerance, in its highest and strictest sense, we have hitherto studiously avoided writing anything which might have the appearance of interfering with the internal affairs of a religious denomination; but we cannot refrain from expressing, here, our proud satisfaction that these petitions emanated from the Valley of Virginia, and our earnest hope that their suggestions and reasoning may have such powerful weight with the General Conference as to induce that body to assert that this appearance of hostility to the institutions of Virginia shall no longer exist;

The Bishop here presented to the Conference memorials from the following places: Blacksburg circuit, East Rockingham circuit, Staunton station, August circuit, Churchville circuit, Lexington station, and Rockbridge circuit. The memorials refer to the slavery question and refer to the unpleasant and unjust position in which they are placed, it being asserted by the Southern church that they are tainted with Abolitionism, whilst the Northern branch of the Church, with which they are connected, give grounds for these charges, in the fact that they are constantly declaring that the Baltimore Conference is entirely agreed with the Northern church in their intense hatred of slavery, but are prevented through policy from declaring such hostility.

The memorialists say they have full confidence in the soundness of the members of the Baltimore Conference, and will remember through life the kind lessons of religious instruction received at their hands. These charges have however weakened the effectiveness of the Church and are daily growing more intolerable. The New York Christian Advocate is referred to, and its sentiments on the slavery question declared, by the memorialists, to be odious. The memorial concludes with an appeal to the Baltimore Conference to come out from the Northern abolition branch of the Methodist Episcopal Church, whose principles are in direct conflict with the ministers and members of the Methodist Church in Virginia, and declares that on the action of the Conference depends the prospect of the Church in the Valley.

Rev. E. P. Phelps moved that a committee of seven, one from each district, be appointed by the Bishop, to consider the memorial, to which the committee be added one Steward from each district.

Rev. D. Thomas said this was an important question, and should receive the greatest consideration. He moved an amendment to the resolution of Mr. Phelps. The amendment proposed the election by the Conference of four members from each district to form the committee. The amendment was voted down and the resolution of Mr. Phelps adopted. At another stage of the session Bishop Simpson announced the committee, composed of the following ministers and laymen: Rev. John Bear, A. Griffith, S. Register, J. Lanahan, G. N. Davis, Garner M. Goheen, A. Buhrman; Laymen, Col. J. S. Berry, J. S. Carson, A. L. Pitzer, P. Conway, R. Rickets, P. Herring and H. Stewart.

The introduction of the memorials created considerable excitement, and it is understood great efforts were made to prevent them from coming before the body. Much interest is expressed this evening as to the character of the report, which will be made on them some time to-morrow. It is thought if the Committee fails to recommend some action, the churches embraced in the Rockingham, Roanoke and Lewisburg Districts will take immediate steps towards a separation. If these districts determine to secede then the strength of the Baltimore Conference in Virginia will have departed, as these districts embrace the greatest portion of the territory held by them.

Conference then proceeded to select place for the meeting of the next Annual Conference. Staunton, Lewisburg and Fayette Street Station were put in nomination. Staunton received 97 votes, and 40 were cast against it, and it was declared chosen as the next place of meeting.

Correspondence of the Vindicator.

Richmond, Mar. 6, 1860.

Messrs. Editors:--Never has the subject of the Internal Improvement policy of Virginia been more thoroughly or more able discussed than it has been during the session of the Legislature which is now near its close.

The State being fairly committed to the main and leading lines of Improvement by appropriations heretofore made, every consideration of State policy, honor and credit required such appropriation as would insure their completion at the earliest possible period. The sooner these works cease to be charges upon the Treasury, certainly, the better. Some of them perhaps had better never had been commenced. Competition in ordinary business pursuits, sustained by individual enterprise, is productive of good. Monopolies ought not to be encouraged. But should the State enter into competition with herself, advantages might not be easily cyphered [sic] out. But let the results be as they may, Virginia is fairly embarked in a system of Internal Improvements. It is too late now to stop to count the cost. A great highway will be opened up from the Atlantic to the waters of the Ohio--Kanawha and Tide water will then shake hands. Marts of trade will spring up within our own borders. We shall become a more homogenous people, and Virginia will be, within herself, an Empire.

If these Improvements be estimated as a means of direct profit, such profit may not be realized. But as a means of developing the resources of the commonwealth, increasing its material wealth, power and prosperity, giving a stimulus to industrial pursuits, infusing a spirit of energy among the people, the results are beyond computation.

No response has as yet been given to the request of South Carolina, made through her Commissioner, the Hon. C. G. Memminger. The opponents of a Southern conference, hold up the disunion proclivities of South Carolina as a scare-crow, and induce the belief that South Carolina, would, as it were, with a disunion hook, fasten upon old Virginia and drag her out of the Union.

A bill is now under discussion in the House of Delegates, which provides that a special license, with an additional tax, shall be attained, for the sale of certain articles therein specified, manufactured, outside the limits of Virginia. It is advocated as a means of retaliation against the unfriendly legislation of the non-slaveholding States. The speeches for and against this bill are numerous and long. The votes in its favor will be few. This cure which the political doctors prescribe for the disease with which the body politic is afflicted, is considered to be far worse than the disease itself. The accumulated mass of business that is before the Legislature is unprecedented. As an evidence of this, it may be stated, that before a single one of the ten standing committees of the House of Delegates, more than three hundred propositions were submitted for consideration. And about nine hundred bills are now before the two Houses of the Legislature to be acted upon. There is a fault somewhere--either the time is too short or there is too much legislation. The session has been extended until the 13th inst.

The expenses directly and indirectly which have grown out of the Harper's Ferry invasion are not yet certainly known. The immediate agents in this unholy crusade will soon have all been brought to condign [sic] punishment. But the more remote but no less responsible actors have not been reached. But a just retribution, sooner or later, will most certainly overtake them. History teems with evidence on this point. "Be wise therefore O, ye judges of the earth."

Yours, truly,

MOUNTAINEER