Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-08-16


John w. Arnold, of Mialnsburah, Ohio, in re-
nouncing Polk and Dallas, says "They are oppos
posed to assuming the debts of the States but are
willing to swallow Si0,000O00 with Texas with
out grin Well now, if ! was in favor Of either,
l would certainly say, Pay your own first
Charity begins at home, gentlemen; another good
maxim which you have forgotten"
WHiCU rs THE BEST CHRISTIANq
While the Locofoco papers teeming with
false and malicious ISLANDERS against the religions
and moral character Of Henry Clay, it is pretended
by some, that James X. Polk is religious man,
and q member of The church. This is denied by
the immediate neighbors of Mr. Polk, but whether
true or false, we have something better than mere
professions OF religion whereby to Judge the sim
cerity of the man. Action is a more reliable basis
of judgment than mere professions. We present
below case in which both of the opposing tan.
ddates took part. Which Of them on that occasion
acted most as we should suppose true Christians
would act, under like circumstances, we need not
add. The facts were briefly follows. In 1882,
VIII lie the cholera was raging with fatality truly
alarming TO the counry-attackng and desolating
whole towns and cities, and battling the skill OF the
most eminent, Mr. Clay introduced resolution in
the Senate of the United States, for the appoint
ment Of a Committee to wait upon the President
and to "Tequest that he recommend day to be de-
slgnated by him, Of public humiliation, prayer &c.
The following were the proceedings in the Sem
ate:
JUNE 20, 1892 The following resolution offer
ed by Mr. Clay was taken up for consideration:
ReSolced, By The Sen0te and House Of Representa-
hres Of The United SGtes Of .4nerica, in Congress
assembled, That Joint committee of both Houses
wait on the President of the United States, and
request that he recommend day, to be designated
by him, Of public humiliation, prayer and fastng
to be observed by the people of the United States
with religious solcmnty, and with fervent suppli-
cations To Almighty God, that he will be gracious
ly pleased to continue his blessings upon our coun-
| try and that he will avert from it the Asatic
Scourge which has reached our borders-or if, in
the dispensation Of His Providence, we are not to
be exempted front the calamity, that through his
bounliiu mercy, its severity may be mtigated, and
It's duration shortened"
Mr. TazeweIl asked for the ayes and noes on the
resolution, which were ordered.
After Mr.. Il. had called for the ayes and noes
! and had remarked that he would not say one word,
Mr.. CLAY rose and observed that he had only
one word TO express. The resolution had not been
submitted without consultation with the members
OF the Senate, whose opinion entitled to more
respect than his 1t was indeed first suggest
ed to him 10y reverend member of the clergy, and
after deliberate consideration, he (Mr. Cl thought
The occasion tit for the recommendation of the reli-
glous ceremony which the resolution contemL lated
1t was the practice of all Christian nations in sea-
sons OF general and great calamity, to impore Di-
vine mercy. OF all the Presidential scourges which
had afflicted our race the Asiaic cholera, in some
OF its characteristics, was the most remarkable
Its range of operation had been more excessive
than perhaps any other known or recorded, the
small poX excepted 1t had broken out in ASIA
and after desolating some of its fairest portions,
penetrated the northern part of Europe, and, sweep
ing over great part of that continent, reached the
British Channel. 1t passed over the British Isles
where it ragged, but with mtigated severity. We
had hoped-vainy it seems hoped-that the wide
expans OF the Atlantic would have been protec-
tive barrier against its ravages in our far distant
land But 1t has been introduce cd into America
and if it has not actually entered our territory it
now hangs on our borders in its most frightiul
form.
The progress of the extraordinary scourge is
sometimes marked by apparent caprice. Ii will
approach city or district of country, reconnoiter-
ing 1t, as 1t were, with military eve, suddenly fy
off to ii distance, leaving the inhabitants rejoicing
in their escape, and it viii then unexpectedly re-
turn ana pursue its work of death. 1t attacks too
its victims IN various ways, dcspatching some in
few hours, whilst in regard to others, their excru-
tating tortures are prolonged much greater
length of time Hitherto the skill Of medical sci
ence, liberal and enlightened az it now is has been
altogether incompetent to provide sure and etcc-
tive remedy.
Should the resolution be adopted, said Mr.. c.,
the act of the President, in conformitory to its re-
quest, will be merely recommendatory. Voluntary
rs to all, 1t would be obligatory upon none. There
seems 10 be peculiar propriety on the ground of
uniformity, in the proposed measure. Already, in
different parts of the Union the clergy of several
denominations have, It is believed had their atten-
ton turned to the subject Different days of pray
er and humiliation will be probably recommended.
1t IS desirable that the whole nation, on the same
day, shall present It's united prayers and suppca-
tons to the throne of mercy. And there can be but
little doubt, that although there will be nothing CO.
ercive in the recommendation of the President
! III ha
measure will be grateful to all pous and all moral
men, whether members ofrelIgious communities or
not. In times OF national or individual distress, all
who suffer feel an irresistible impulse to appeal to
that Beng, who is alone able to afford adequate
relief
should have hestaed to present this resolution,
said Mr.. C., if it had been unsanctioned by prece-
dent. But during the late war; similar resolution
was adopted by Congress, at the instance of
member of the House of Representatives of Vir-
gnia, and President Madison issued his recommen-
dation accordingly.
1t is far from my purpose to excite unnecessary
alarm. All dangers appear most formidable at a
distance. Even the greatest of all terrors, when
the awful moment arrives, with mind fortified by
philosophical reflection, and still more, If it be
strengthened by religious hope and belief, is less
appalling then II seemed when aiar of.
single word, Mr.. President as to myself
am member of no religious sect. | am not pro-
iessor of religion. | regret that am not | wish
that was. But have and always have had
profound respect for Christianity, the religion of
my fathers, and for its rtes its usages and obser-
vances Among these, that which Is proposed in
the resolution before you, has always commanded
the respect of the good and devout And hope 1t
will obtain the concurrence Of the Senate.
Mr. Frelinghuysen sand he inferred from the call
Of the yeas and 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 and was offered by Mr. Clopton, of Vr-
as the duty of Congress to opt measures of this
character in times of calamity and war;" The
proposition had passed the Senate without any
opposition. If in time of war it was the duty Of
the people to ask the special protection Of God,
and TO supplicate the interposiiion of His mercy,
how much more incumbent was it in reference to