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[165] may be in the unhappy position of holding their fellowmen as slaves.

This resolution neither precluded the discussion of slaveholding at the London Conference, nor propitiated the American brethren; the New School Presbyterian1 General Assembly at Philadelphia making it the express ground of a refusal to send delegates. On the 27th of August, the Conference passed from the smooth waters of ‘singing and canting’ to breakers on a lee-shore2 threatening instant shipwreck. A motion was made to add to3 the declaration of the objects of the Alliance ‘Facts relating to slavery and the condition of our brethren in bonds in every part of the world.’ This proved very obnoxious, especially to the American delegates, the Rev. E. N. Kirk saying, with perfect truth, that it would hazard the very existence of the Alliance. It was accordingly withdrawn; but the next day the Rev. J. Howard Hinton, editor of the Anti-Slavery Reporter, moved the exclusion of slaveholders from the Alliance, and one voice from across the water was heard to second it, that of J. V.4 Himes, whose sympathizers in the American delegation numbered less than half a dozen. Great was the5 excitement produced in this delegation, with all their efforts to be calm. During the recess, the discussion went on6 informally, but with added earnestness. One overheard “an American patriarch (Beecher), whose eyes are moist with tears” Lyman Beecher.—but not for the slave—saying: ‘Brethren, you are too warm. Remember the work you have to do, and be wise.’ Worldly-wise they were in going without7 their dinners and retiring to pray, with the reward of seeing the motion temporarily withdrawn. However, the Rev. F. A. Cox, trusting to his transatlantic experience8 in trimming, thought to ease matters by proposing that the Hinton resolution and others on the same subject be referred to a committee, on which, of course, America was well represented. On August 29, they reported, through the Rev. Samuel Hanson Cox, who had long since9 abandoned the abolition ranks in the time of the sectarian

1 Lib. 16.198.

2 Lib. 16.198.

3 Lib. 16:[154].

4 Lib. 16:[154], 185, 190.

5 Lib. 16.165.

6 Lib. 16:[154].

7 Lib. 16:[154], [155].

8 Ante, 1.480.

9 Ante, 1.461, 485.

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