Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-01-12
, ALEXANDRIA, I'd. CO.
SATURDAY MORNING LfsUARYl2 1858.
CHApLAINs-THE CLERGY.


State Legislatures to open their daily SESSIONS
with prayer. This has led, IN most instances
to the appointment Of regular Chap'ains tor that
purpose. The custom we believe not only an
entirely harmless one, as far as any fears may
be entertained of an alliance between Church
and State, but very proper and conmendabie-
eminently BETTING tree people who ackno"'
ledge no other master than the Almighty. upon
whose blessings they rely for happiness and pros
perty. So does not think, however, consider
able portion Of the Legislature of New York;
and we find thar on the 81 inst. a debate arose
in that body on the subject Of appointing L'sls-
Ialive Chaplains. Mr.. Edward Livinstoo, froa
Albany, introduced a resolution for inviting the
Clergy Of that city alternately to officlate as
chaplain. each day a, the opening Of The House
This was strenuously opposed by several mem
bers One was willing to have PRAYERS, 1t Doc
tor Wilson was excluded, and offered resolu'
ton excepting Doctor Wilson. Mr.. Myers was
as willing to have Doctor Wilson pray as any OF
the clergy. though he had mls,reated him; but
having, in his abuse. associated him with Gen.
Washington, he fad thereby more than made
amends for his abuse.
Mr.. ]. C. Spencer was opposed to excluding
Doctor Wilson. II the character or creed Ut
clergyman was to be tried before he was permit
ted to officia,e, he did not know where 1t would
lead He did not know how far they should go
back, 10 the investigation of character, &c.
A - OC
PRAYERS in that House He read most abored
argument contained ia memorial, showing. by
a regular confederation Of syllosistic ratiocna.
ton, that he was right, and those opposed to him
wrong: and that every member who voted for
the resolution violated his oath; 4uod erat de-
monstrandum.
Mr.. Finch deprecated the union Of church and
state; they had no right to take money and give
to the priests. He inveished against the Bible
Societies; their magnificent buildings; their stock
and their vast Accommodations OF wealth He said
these establishments extended even to New,Or-
lrans. He bestowed the highest panegyric on
Mr. Herte. This brought Mr.. H. again on
ms feet, who, not satisfied with wha, he had
.aid, vas still DESTROYS to do more--tO pour out
his whvie magazine. Among other things, he
stated in an audible vulce aud in a language not
to b. mistaken, "Maf there ,oas no use in pray.
ing to a benevolent God. The avowal OF such a
sentiment created manifest sensation. All
these speeches were replied to, in All eloquent
and diyni6rd manner, BY Mr Rogers. of Wash.
,nston county. young gentleman, of great pro.
mi,e. He said:
"If the custom be wrong, then were the foun.
ders of the government all wrong. The origi.
nal proposition was FIRST made in the convention
which formed the constitution, bv Ben amin
franklin, and sanctioned BY Gen. Washington;
and should it now be said that Benjamin Frank
lin, the subiimat,on of human intellect. and
George Washington, were for union OF church
and STATE! 1t was proclamation to say SO. There
was danger of rushing from thus fancied extreme,
into the cold embrace Of infdclIty. France
(what lesson to u.s.! afforded an example Of
country without religion. The, terrors ot the
gloomy period OF her revolution, could neverbe for
gotten. Ii had no parallel. II stood forth in bid
relief, bare and bleak; the temple and the @or
shipper went down together, and the Wondering
ruins, from the city of her vine-clad bills, we're
the scene Of one continued and undistingui>hing
slaughter, -thc carnival of death, the vintage
Of the grave. This could not last. She was
again compelled to restore her priesthood, aud to
build up her aIlars. We could not do better
than to cultivate and cherish religion. We need
ed il as much as any other set Of men. lie hop
ed It would not be banished from this hall, but
that the incense Of prayer might yet ascend from
it to the throne OF grace"
After the disposal Of some amendments and in.
.terlocutory proceedings, the final question was,
on Saturday, taken upon the original resolution,
which was adopted by a vote of 80 to 40.
Notwithstanding the resolution was passed,
meeting of the Clergy Of the city Of Albany
was held on Friday last, in which it was resoIv.
ed that they would not oficiate as Legislative
ChapIains during the present session Of that bo-
dy.
The New York American says:
"The fsnaticism of freethnking has obtained
vote Of forty in the Assembly Of this State,
ouo;net tho antient nr,i.a worthv ,pd nj Io,o,