Staunton Vindicator

A Great Invention

L. Waddell, Jr., and Wm. H. Waddell, of this place, have within a few days patented a 'car couple," which is destined, in the opinion of all practical men, who have examined it, to supersede all other contrivances for uniting railroad cars.

The invention is most ingenious, simple in construction, and strong. We will not undertake to describe it. But this much we can say, that by its use a train of any number of cars can be coupled by simply backing them together--and a boy ten years old, standing upon the platform of a passenger car, or on top of a freight car, out of all danger, can uncouple a single car, or an entire train, either when in motion or standing still--on a level or on a grade--No backing or 'stacking up" of the train is necessary before uncoupling. And by the use of this invention, an engineer seeing danger ahead, could detach the whole train as easily and as quickly as he could sound the steam whistle, and thus prevent a catastrophe, from dragging the train after the locomotive off the track, or over an obstruction.

In the hands of a yankee this patent right would be an immense fortune. We understand that our townsman, J.D. Imboden, Esq., has purchased an interest in it, and the exclusive right for five years to control and sell the patent right throughout the United States. Mr. Imboden is now in Richmond, making arrangements to put it upon all the Railroads in Virginia, and in a few days will proceed to Baltimore to have it tried upon the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

This is a great Southern invention, and we hope to see it come as speedily into universal use as it would if some yankee had discovered it.

Seceders' Convention

The Seceders from the Baltimore Convention met in the Maryland Institute, Baltimore, on Saturday last, and organized by the appointment of the Hon. Caleb Cushing as President, with one Vice President and Secretary from each State represented. There were over 200 delegates present. After adopting a platform, the Convention proceeded to the nomination of candidates for President and Vice President, which resulted in the unanimous choice of John C. Breckinridge, of Kentucky, for President, and Joseph Lane, of Oregon, for Vice President. The Convention then adjourned sine die.

"The ultra men in each section demand Congressional intervention upon the subject of slavery in the Territories. They agree in respect to the power and duty of the Federal Government to control the question, and differ only as to the mode of exercising the power. The one demands the intervention of the Federal Government for slavery, and the other against it. . . . On the other hand, the position of all conservative and Union loving men is, or ought to be, that of non-intervention by Congress with slavery in the Territories."

For the Vindicator, Churchville, June 21, 1860

Mr. Editor, Respected Sir: The action of the last General Conference on the subject of slavery has created a profound sensation throughout this entire valley. We shall not stop to inquire whether the people in many portions of our Conference acted prematurely, or whether they should have waited patiently the action of our next Annual Conference. Neither is it necessary to discuss the question as to the meaning of the new chapter on slavery--whether it be statutory or advisory--is a matter of small moment just now. It is enough for us to know, that in any light in which it may be regarded, it is sufficiently offensive to our people to require some action upon our part, before the sitting of the Annual Conference in Staunton. The necessity is upon us, and willing or unwilling, we must meet it, and do so promptly. Neither will it be profitable to animadvert upon the course of our delegates, the editor of the Baltimore Advocate, or any other of our brethren. They are all doubtless good men and true, having the same great object in view-- the glory of God, and the welfare of our beloved Methodism. In a word, an question that is at all calculated to widen the breach that now unhappily divides us, should be ignored, and the one great effort should be to bring about a unity of feeling and action; otherwise, we are torn into fragments, and a state of things heretofore unknown upon the border realized. Our only hope, as we humbly conceive, is in concert of action. Whatever is done by us, let it be done as a whole. Such is my confidence in the Baltimore Conference as a whole, that I would be willing, almost unconditionally, to say "thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God." Never were mortals more deceived, than we should be did she violate her solemn pledge made at the last session in Winchester. But she will not, nay, she cannot.

In conclusion, let me suggest that we hold a Convention just as soon as the necessary steps can be taken to secure one; and in order that we may act in unison, let each circuit and station hold a meeting, composed of laymen, whose sole business it shall be to appoint delegates to a District Convention--let there be at least 2 delegates to each circuit and station--let it also be understood that no definite action, as it regards a separation from the M.E. Church, is even contemplated by the District Conventions, their main and perhaps their sole business being to determine on a General Convention, indicating the time and place for the same. We may discuss any question that may be deemed legitimate, and in this way let off the steam by the meeting of the General Convention. But our final action should embrace alone the items referred to. Some may ask what good these District Conventions will do, if nothing definite is accomplished looking toward a separation from the North? We reply, much, every way, in addition to taking off the gas, (and of course we mean no offense by this remark) we can, by this convening together, come to some definite understanding among ourselves before the meeting of the General Convention, and be prepared to act as a unit. This we conceive to be the great advantage to be derived from District Conventions. It has been suggested that the Presiding Elders meet and consult with a view to District or a General Convention. To this there can, in our judgment, be no objection, provided they have a meeting at an early day.

It may be proper, before we close, to remark that so far as our membership is concerned, they have the utmost confidence in the integrity of the Baltimore Conference, and most of them, (perhaps all,) to use the language of one of our most prominent official members, "would suffer any earthly privation rather than become the willing instrument in causing divisions among ourselves. This, we believe, is the universal feeling of Churchville Circuit.

Praying for the peace and unity of our beloved Methodism, we remain.

Yours respectfully,

D.W. Arnold

Valley papers please copy.

For the Vindicator

Pursuant to notice a meeting of the members of the M.E. Church of Staunton Station was held in the Court house on Monday, the 25th of June. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. F.C. Tebbs.

On motion, A.D. Trotter was called to the Chair, and W.T. Jewell appointed Secretary.

The object of the meeting was explained by Rev. Jos. R. Wheeler, pastor of the Church,, and on motion a committee of five, viz: Dr. H. Anderson, G.A. Armentrout, A.M. Simpson, John B. Evans, and Geo. W. Campbell--was appointed to prepare resolutions for the action of the meeting, who reported the following preamble and resolutions, which were adopted unanimously:

Whereas, the last General Conference, by a large majority vote, passed the new chapter on slavery, thereby invading our rights and interests by virtually making non-slaveholding a test of membership--therefore

Resolved, 1st. That it is the sense of this meeting that the time has fully come for a separation of the Baltimore Conference from the jurisdiction of the General Conference of the M.E. Church.

2d. That we earnestly recommend to our ensuing Quarterly Conference to take into solemn consideration our relative position as a church, and make such recommendations for a Convention or otherwise as may in their judgement most fully meet our necessities.

3d. That we express our continued and unabated confidence in the Baltimore Conference.

4th. That to Dr. Thomas E. Bond, editor of the Baltimore Christian Advocate, we tender our heartfelt thanks for his bold and manly defense of our cause, and especially for opening the opposition to the new chapter by his letters from Buffalo; and also that we will use our best efforts to increase the circulation of his journal, which has rendered us such invaluable service.

5th. That these proceedings be published in the Baltimore Christian Advocate, and our local papers.

On motion, the meeting then adjourned.

A.D. Trotter, Pres't.

W.T. Jewell, Sec'y.