The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1844-08-31

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there can be but little doubt, that al
though there will be nothing coercive in
the recommendation of the president
there will be general acquiescence in it.
The measure will be grateful TO all pious
and all moral men, whether members Of
religious communities or not. In times
of national or individual distress, all who
suffer feel an irresistible impulse to APP
! peal to that Being, who is alone able to
afford adequate relief.
should have hesilaIed to present this
resolution, said Mr.. C., if it had been I'M
sanctioned by precedent. But during the
late war, similar resolution was adopted
by Congress, at the instance Of a member
Of the house Of representatives from Vir-
ginia, and Presiden, Madison issued his
recommendation accordingly.
!! is far from my purpose to excite an
necessary alarm. All dangers appear
most formidable at distance. Even the
greatest of all terrors, when the awful
moment arrives, with mind fortified by
philosophical reflection, and still more il
it be strengthened by religious hope and
belief, is less appalling than it seemed
when far Fl.
A single word, Mr. President as to
myself. lam member Of no religious
sect am not professor of religion.
regret that am not wish was, and
| lrus: that ] shall be. But | have and
always have had,a profound respect for
{ ln 4 C,ib
and for its rites, its usages and its obser-
vances. Among these. that which is pro-
| posed IN the resolution before you, has
always commanded the respect of the
good and devout.-And hope it will OBJ
tain the concurrence of the Senate.
Mr.. + RELINGRUNsEN said he inferred
rom the call Of the yeas and nays, that
this resolution would be opposed, and he
| there fore desired again to refer the Senate
to the precedent of iSl4. The resolution
at that time Was induced by The state Of
war unto which the country had been
plunged with Grea, Britain, and was offer
ed by Mr.. CIopton, of Virginia. The
preamble, W hich he read, laid it down as
the duty of Congress q adopt measures
OF this character in times of "Calami,y
and war" The proposition bad pass ed
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 supPlicale the interposllion Of His mer.
cy, how much more incumbent was il in
reference TO scourge which had in its
| Of
beings into eternity, which went abroad
on the earth as the agent and minister OF
God, 10 do his erraud, and to come and
90 al his bidding, and over which 'huaan
power had Ho influence. No occasion
could be so fit and appropriate for hunlI,
lallon is this. He hoped that no con-
sttuional objection ould be inlerposed
to check this resolution, which was moth
ing more than recommendation. 1t was
our duty devoully, and in the conviction
of our entire dependence on God to ask
Tor the interference of his mercy; and he
hoped that the present resolution would
PASS as did The resolution of lSl4 - See
"NifeS' Register Iol. II, pages 343 and
34l
The resolution was adopted-yeas 30;
nays Is -ln the House of Repre- senta
lives, on the 9Th July following, Mr.. Polk
in large minority, roted 10 lay the reSO-
IutionS onihe table for Tie bol0nce Of The
ScSsiOn-ycas AZ, nays 81. On the OH
July, he again roied 10 lay II on The table.
The motion having failed, on motion
Of Mr.. Bell. the resolution was referred to
select committee See Journdi III. Rep.
Of Con. Of 1882, pages 1904, ITO.
Mr.. Polk may be "inember of the
Church," but man who would refuse 20
join in with the whole country, and re
quest that aday be recommended for the
purpose of supplicaling the Supreme ruler
10 averla desolaling calamity, must in
deed, be poor Christian. "DiSsoIute"
as the Loco Focos falsely term that pure
patriot, statesman and phlanlhropisl,
| HENRY CLAY, we would rather have his
habits and his reHgjom.a thousand to one,
than those of James K Polk.