Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-09-30
ADDRESS,

BY the Committee appointed for that purpose at
public meeting held at the Court House in Wa
tertown on the I'd of July INST.
The motives and conduct OF all men, are, under
all circumstances rightfully subject OF invesga-
ton; and are entitled to praise or liable to cen
sure, according as they may be deemed good or
had. No man or set of men in free government,
ENJOYS immunity from such Liability; no charac-
ter is too sacred-no station too high TO be sub
iect to it; no long received opinions, venerable
principles. or established doctrines can, or ought
10 escape unrestricted discussion
In countries where liberty is not understood,
and the rights of men not protected, there are
institutions. principles, opinions. and even pre-
iudces which cannot be attacked; there are soci-
cites and individuals who are not liable to am
madversion.
Even HERE, where liberty has erected her throne,
and the temple Of knowledge has opened wide her
rates, there are things which are apt to be deem
ed 700 sacred for the touch Of common hands; too
hiph and mysterious for the investigation and en-
curry of ordinary minds; and it is in moral, as 1t
has been in physical things, that occurrences are
frequently ascribed to divine agency, which. are
not only subjects Of human knowledge, but are
unworthy the interposition and inconsistent with
the character of God.
IL is we'll known in the ecclesiastical affairs OF
this country, there is regular system and ADM,
n,stration of Church government, the general
laws, rules and regulations whereof are made oy
an assembly or coprocation of the representatives
of the various churches in the United States
The iaws and regulations thus adopted, are dis
semnated and Immediately put into execution by
every church and minister under the juIisdiction'
or acknowledging the supervision OF the assem-,
Div, and in this way doctrines are published, ana
l. than sntl r
promptitude in every part Of the country, so that
nv combined effort. any thing within the scope
Of human power in the management OF ecceslas-
tica police, the exercise OF religious surveillance,
and the creation of religions excitement. may be
effected with wonderful rapidity.
This policy undoubtedly in its origin. had tor
ito object. and still has in its ultimate view, the
promotion of Christianity-but with this. as with
all human calculations, grosser and meaneI things
are largely iutermiugled. The aim az temporal
nower and ayprandiZement-the desire OF pecu-
niary gam. are its incidents, and induce resort
to maniiestly evil and deceptive measures.
The religious excitement which has lately arts
en- in this county has been produced by such
means. II had its origin IN the general
government Of the church. The scene and MODE
of operation we're there marked out; and the cha'
racter to be ascribed to 1t was there Determined
and the agents empioSeu' IN inc eAeieSe VI "e''
offices, had only to appoint the place and time
to define the limits in which an excitement should
he created, and it was done; and by an appeal
to the feelings, by acting upon the fears OF men,
species of phrenzy was produced, inconsistent
with the exercise OF cool discriminating Judgment,
and producing temporary abandonment, and IN
some instances, permanent loss OF the reasoning
mower: and this with NEST singular assurance
mot 10 saw proclamation, was ascr6ed TO the iin'
mediate and direct interposition OF God :,
The details Of this extravaganza are so wei
know n, that they need no description or comment.
Whole communities left their home day alter day
and week after week, to hear fanatacism IN the
pulpit-the,r time was wasted, their business was
neglected, their minds were perverted, and IN
some instances, reason deserted her throne. Men
were taught that for the time being, prayer was
all their business, that it was necessary to GET
ar11eIoy.- and that the mode was by dgontsing
IAN expression peculiar to the occasionl to wrest
# from the hands Of the Almighty! That business
ALI the affairs of life must be abandoned--that
the husband, wife, parent and child must be Sc.
narrated. and the dearest ties OF nature and OF
social communion must be broken, thatGod'swrath
m;oht be ayerted, and that just vengeance might
he eysded BY these means. Aud strange to say,
these means were adopted BY thOusands-inas-