Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-30
CONGRESS.

sentativeS OF the Untteu Sld,eS VI RI
CONGRESS assembled, That a joint committee o,
,,h n, .nses wait on the President of the United
S,ates. and request that he recommend day, 10 DC
DESIGNATED by him, of public humiliation, Prayee'
and fasting, to be observed by the people OF the
limited States, with religious solemnlty. anu WIN
feryent supplications to Almighty uod, una, ne
,v;,l n. praciousIy pleased to continue HIS bies-
SINGS upou our country, and that He will avert
fran il the Asatc scourge which has reaeneu our
borlers-or if, in the dispensations OF MS rro-
videuce. we are not to be exempted from Tue Cd
lam,ty, that, through His bountiui mercy us sc
verify NAV be mitigated, and its duration short
xned.
N,,. Tazewell asked for the ayes and noes on
the resolution, which were ordered.
Af,er Mr. L. had called for the ayes and Nays,
.rd had remarked that he would not say one
word,
Mr. CLAW rose and observed that he had only
one word to express. The resolution had not
been submitted without consultation w''n mem
bers of the Senate, whose opinion was enn'iee 10
more respect than his own. 1t was indeed hrS'
suggested to him by reverend member % ,ne
CLERGY. and after deliberate consideration, he'
nj ~ Y thonsht the occasion fit for the RECON-
menda,iou of the religious ceremony which 'he
resolution contemplated 1t was the practice OF
all Christian nations, in seasons ut general ana
great calamity, to implore Divine Mercy. vi
all The pestiIentlal scourses which hau anictea
our rae e. the Asiatir Cholera, In some OF itscha-
racteristics was the most remarkable. lis range
uf operation. had been more extensive than per-
hans any other known or recorded, the snia'i poN
excepted. 1t had broken out IN ASIA anu ai'er
desoiating some Of its fairest PORTIONS pehera'-
cd the Northern part OF Europe, and. sweeping
over great part of that continent, reached the
British channel. Ii passed over the British Isles
where n raoed but with mitigated severity. we
proteesins 6SfSier ASsasHst NJ on sar
distant land. But it has been introduced into
America, and, If il has not actually entered our
territory, il now hangs on our borders in its most
frightful form.
The progress Of this extraordinary scourse is
sometimes marked by apparent caprice. 1t will
approach city district of country, reconno-
tering II as it were, with a military eye. sudden
" fly off TO distance, leaving the inhabitants re-
joicing in their escape, anil it will then unexpect-
cdly return and pursue its work Of death. Tat
tacks too, its victims in various ways, despatch
ing in few hours, whilst in regard TO others,
their circulating tOrtures prolonged much
greater length OF time. Hitherto the skill OF me-
dical science. liberal and enlightened as il now
is, has been altogether incompetent to provide
sure and effective remedy. Should the resOlu-
ton be adopted, said, Mr.. c. the act OF the Pre-.
sident, in confuraity to its request will be mere
~
be obligatory upon none. There seems to be a
peculiar propriety in the proposed measure. Area
dy,in different parts of teU MON, theClergy Of Sc
Veral denominations have, il is believed, had their
attention turned to the subject. Different days of
PRAYER and humiliation will be probably recon-
mended. 1t is desirable that the whole nation,
on the same day, shall present its united prayers
and suppications to the Throne OF Mercy. And
there can be but little doubt, that although there
will be nothing coercive in the recommendation
Of the President. there will be general acquies-
cence in it. The measures will be grateful to all
pious and all moral men, whether members Of re-
ligious communities not. In times Of nation
al or individual distress, all who suffer feel an
irresistible impulse to appeal to that Being who
is alone able to afford adequate relief.
should have hesitated to present this resolu-
ton, said Mr.. T.. if it had been unssnctioaed by
precedent But during the late war, a similar
resolution was adopted by Congress, at the in-
stance of member Of the House Of Representa-.
tves from Virginia, and President Madison is
sued his recommendation accordingly.
II is far from my purpose to excite unnecessa-
~ alarm. All dangers appear most formidable at
a distance. Even the greatest OF all terrors,
when the awful moment arrives, with a mind
fortified BY philosophical reflection, and still
more ifi be strengthened by religious hope and
belief, is less appalling than it seemed when far
off
A single word, Mr.. President, as to myself.
am member Of no religious sect. l am not
professor Of religion regret that am not l
wish that was, aud trust shall be. But l
have. and always have had, profound respect
for christianity, the religion Of my fathers, and
foe lis rites, and its observances. Among these,
that which is proposed in, the resolution before
YOU, has always commanded the respect of the |
good and devout Aad hope it will obtain the |
concurrence Of the Senate.
Mr.. Frehnghuysen said he inferred from the /
call tor the Yeas aud NAYS, that this resolution
would be opposed. and he therefore desired
again to refer the Senate to the precedent Of 1874
The resolution at that time was induced by the
state Of war into which the country had been
plunged with Great Britain, aud was offered by
Mr.. Clopton Of Virginia. This preamble. which
ne read, laid il down as the duty of Congress to