Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-01-28

pleasure however false tio standard of sdi-
vdual and national honor aud 10 whatever
extent party spirit aed unworthy ambition
may have pcWcrtcdt public Aiind, and crow.
died nom q thouQhiul mcmhrancs OF indi-
udUal and national responsibility, there 10
still general conyt ZION VI the existence oil a
Divine Providence general feeling Of do
pendcncc GA tho Divine favor and q general
respect iug the Observance VI tho Christian
religion. Beneath the rough surface oil slds
yasl ocean 81 human passion there 10 . s,!eS
dtcp There Is ombosomed IN tlJs great na-
ton n couyi lion of dependence aud sense
of accountability, which may vel Ind 81 Ga
preston here, un an occasion like this Sir,
II Is the impulse OF Naisrd hsr.elf looking up
from the duptls Of her cons ciOss hslplsssness
aud misery Wa .hoald To weY.s than hea-
si'saas ~ We fsl 10 icsl, Or refuse 70 actnswl-
edge II whle, as tine.ieats v--asdesrsndants
of pilgrim lugltvcs for conscience saks IN de-
pcndouce GA a guiding aud lsoiscuug Provi-
dcncc, we should deny the faith VI our fathers,
and brand With Holly and fanaticism the hum
Die conGliag spirit which characterized W
strongly their struggle for independence
Tie Revolution, which gave Vs. . national
existence, not only proclaim the true doc
trIncs of The nights Of conscience and Of self
government, but II carried the Eiints Or our
fathers, 10y a natural and Necessary connection,
up 10 the great Source OF those phts, IlS ilN
great Fou niain Of all good. 1hs FIRE, &C, Of
this united People closed with memorable
AMI Impressive recognition Of their depend
once. For the support Of ihs Declataiion,"
said the noble band who soemnly proclaimed
That these United Colonies are, aud of right
ought TO be, free aud independent Sta,es"--
"tciH a firm rehoace on Dlrne ProviIence.
we mutually pledge TO each other, our lives,
4 AM
never during the long and deadly struggle TO
support that Declaration, did hi. reliance for
a moment cease. The prowsss Of their arms
was more than cqualled by the vipor of their
faith ihcir 'hOnor' was not more sacred than
was Il eli reliance" firm.
Read, sir, the Journals Of the Congress
which lcglslatod the country through that
fearful struggle. II met, for ths first lime, on
the 9Th Of September i17i, al Carpenters
Hall, in Philadelphia and, sir, lie very first
act, after examining the credentials oil their
members, and adopting lew simple rules for
its government, was 10 resolve That tho Rev
Mr.. Duchc he requested 10 open ne Congress
to-morror morning trM prayers, al the Car
peuicrs Hail, at y O'Clock The jotsnal Of
the next days proc ,eilngs teciles lilo sAs;u-
lion of this order, which was Immediately fol-
lowed by resolution Of thanLs to tbs Chap
lain for performing divine service, and for
the excellent prayer which he composed and
delivered on thai OCCASION
Here is the commencement of the usage
which it IS now proposed to abandon. Al
most the very first breath VI tlis bAhon was
IN suppllcaiion TO Heaven, by 1t. assembled
Representatives, for wisdom to puide their
councils. The usage tlIus commenced was
never interrupted DUNG the entire period Of
the war II Was Introduced on tho nohon Of
M lin 4 La. 4 =. a.
ed the Constitution, was transferred 10 the
first Congress under the Constitution, and has
b0en transmitted Though the succeeding
Congresses without interruption 10 the pros
ent time.
But tins is not all. During the eight years
war Of the Revolution, eight iasts and soven
tlarksgiyngs were recommended by procla-
nations Of the Continental Congress. These
proClanaiious stand upon tlIe journals Of that
body ~ impressive contrast with the PROPOSE
ton now before MS, 30 exclude, hencsiorih, a
recognition Of the providence sgd government
of God from the Hall Of our deliberations -
They utter in deep tones, the language Of
pcniencc aud gratitude while ihey bear die
broad impress Of conscious dependence sod
humble reliance on the Divine goodness and
power.
But sir while they stand on the page Of
our history as precious memorials OF the deep
and ful hearted piciy which gave martyr
energy te The revolutionary Struggle, they did
not spend their lurce upon the occasion Which
called them forth. Heir influence reached
forward 10 the times Of peace and onward to
the maturrd government of The Constitution.
The people hiyc, eVcfywhcrc, felt II, Con-
oro,s has leltil Many OF tie state Lepisla-
lures have fell H. An, believe, IN the Nor
theu States. open their daily sessions with an
n Ia a. ftfg