Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-10

gisaure on the 9TH, we find the following singu-
lar debate on the appointment ofChap.anns:
Mr. Seymour called up his resolution. offered
Yesterday. for the appointment OF Chaplans.
Mr.. Moulton, Of Oneida, said he wished this
resolution might lie yet longer on the table. A
petition had been presented this morning, against
the practice of employing aud paying Chapains,
and time should be given to examine and consider
it,
Mr.. King, of Queens, was opposed to laying it
again ON the table II it passed at all, it should
pass at once; it would lose its grace and favor it
it should be delayed. and it would loox like treat
ing the clergy with disrespect The employment
of Chaplans was good custom, which had long
prevailed, and he should be sorry to see it abo-
ished 1t would do no injury, and 1t might do
good The Senate have passed like resolution,
and Congress always have ChaPia'ns.
Mr.. Mouton was not aware that there was
any great necessity that this should be passed to-
day, and he desired that it should be delayed
Perhaps, when members heard the arguments IN
the petition from Duchess, they would not pass
it al ALL. He could not conceive that it would be
treating the clergy With disrespect to give our
selves time to examine the subject, and counsel
together.
The motion TO lay the resolution on the table,
was lost, rs to SO.
Mr. Milledoer, of New York, then offered
this amendment:
And said clergy are respectfully requested
to perform the religious services OF this House,
without compensation"
Mr. Granger, Of Ontario, said that after we
hal passed resolutions to provide red book ard
chandelier. together with carpets for the Court.
rnuins. he thought it hardly worth while to COM
Inence retrenchment in a service which had ex-
-isi,r since the first formation Of the government
He did not care any thing about the compensa-
ton, nor did he think the clergy cared; but the
amendment conveyed the insinuation that thew
came here to make prayers for the sake Of the
money; not from sense Of duty. but for love OF
incre II this should prevail, and clergyman
should BY any cause be prevented from attend.
ing here, il would be said he stayed away be-
cause he cot no pay. When we we're so la
wish ourselves, as to take paw for our time. whe-
ther we are here to perform our duty or no; and
when we furnished ourselves with newspapers.
&C. at the public expense, he did not believe we
could make the people believe the object OF this
proposition was 10 guard the Treasury. He be.
iieved they would rather think it intended as an
attack upon the clergy; ar attack made Indirect
ly. which perhapsit would not be dared to make
openly.
Mr.. Milledoler hoped this matter might be dis.
posed If without excitement. He denied that he
had offered the resolution IN the spirit which it
had been in,imated governed him. He did it from
a good feeling towards the clergy. Many sup
posed that they came here merely for the sake of
the pay He knew there were some clergymeD
who did not do it with that motive. and who
would give their services freely. and he wished
10 adopt such course as would relieve them from
the suspicion Of being operated on by desire of
gain.
Mr. Oils did not consider it matter of much
consequence whether the ChapiaIns were paid or
no.; but he thought the laborer was worthy of his
hire in every honest vocation. 1t was the gene
raj sentiment of the country that clersymen
should b. paid, and he presumed there was no
determination of Christians that did not give their
MINISTER'S some kind of compensation. lie was
so, ~ this subject had been agitated. No matter
how he might feel on this matter out Of doors, re-
liglous matters should never be touched on here
Tie present practice had been long in use, and
he mad never seen any evil from it; he wished it
20 remain as il is.
MIR Miileduer withdrew his amendment.
Mr.. MOulton then renewed it.
Mr. Myers considered that there were consti-
tutional objections tn the employment of chap
lains the constitution saws that no clergyman
shall hold any civil or military Office. He deem.
ed the appointment of chaplains to be the creation
nf an office. and he must therefore, as support
or Of that instrument. oppose this res0luuon.-
, The fact that il was long established custom to
have chaplains, should not be considered. if it
was wrong in principle. The illusions made by
the gentleman from Ontario to our expenses, did
not apply in this case Those expenses were for
necessary Purposes. 1t had been said that Con.
sress had chapla,ns, and it appeared to be infer.
red that therefore we must have them. Congress
did wrong sometimes, but it would not therefore
be said that we also must do wrong There was
another reason why he was opposed to paving
chaplains. 1t would give them an oppoi tunity
to come forfard voluntarily, and their prayers
would be offered up win more sincerity and fer
vor. and the hearer would join with them in a
more devotional spirit, than is done under the
present practice. He could not believe that the
clergy cared Tor the psy. There was not church
in Albany. he presumed that did not give their
pa,, enough to support him deoentls: and if
there was such one. the state ought no' ." b.
called on to assist In bis support. They get SS