The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1844-08-31
CLAY and POLK.
THEIR IDEA OF RELIGION.

'ol 'cowardlce In not resentng IN proper
manner the outrageous insult offered him
by MIR. Wise. say, that MIR. Polk was a
member Of the church. A Tennessee
paper, however, denies it, and says that
for profanity he very litle behind Cap
tain Tyler. However that may be, we
think we can present case, in which
both OF the present candidates were inter-
ested-and it it does moi prove The COW
ardice Of Mr. Polk, it will prove that on
one occasion, he acted very lille like a
''member Of the church, or Christian
In looking over Niles Register of 1892.
we find that while the cholera was raging
with fatality truly alarming to the coun-
try-a,lacking and desolaling whole
towns and cities, and battling the skill Of
the most eminent physicians, Mr.. Clay,
seeing this state Of things, felt that we
ought TO appeal to Him, the Saviour and
Protector Of all, to avert the calamity
which seemed about TO sweep over the
country. He accordingly Introduced a
resolution in the Senate Of the u S. Tor
The appointment OF a committee TO wait
upon the President, and To 'regW 81 that
he recommend day TO be designated by
him, Of public humiliation, pray sc.
The following were the proceedings in
the Senate:
"June IS, 1892. The following reso-
luton offered by Mr.. CLAY, was taken up
Tor consideration.
"ReSoiccd BY The Senate and House
Of Representatives Of the United Suites
81 .ime1tCa. in { ongreSS assembled, That
Joint commnlee oi bolh houses wall on
the President OF the u,itel Gates, AMI re-
guest that he recommend day, to be de-
sIgnaied by him, of public humiliation,
prayer and fasting, 10 be observed by the
people Of the Uuiled Safes, with religious
soennily, and with lervent suppicaiIon,
TO Almighty God, that he will be gra.
ciou>ly pleased to continue His blessings
upon our country, and that lie will avert
from II the A>lallc scourge which has
reached our borders-or if, i'll the dispen
satlon Of His Providence, we are not to
be exempted from the calumlly, that
through His bountlluI mercy, its severity
may be mtigaled, and its duration shorl-
ened.
Mr.. TAAEwELt asked for the ayes ant
noes OH the resolution, which were oder
ed.
After Mr. II. had called for the yeas and
nays, and had remarked lhel he would
not say one word.
Mr.. CLAY rose and observed that he
had only one word 10 express. The re
solution had not been submitted without
consultation with the members of the
senate. whose opinion was entitled TO
more respect than his own. 1t was ~
deed first suggested to him by reverend
member OF the clergy, and, after deliberate
consideration, he, (Mr. c. thong 1t the
occasion fit for the recommendation of
the religious ceremony which the resolu-
ton contemplated. it was the practice
of all Christian nations, IN seasons olgen-
eral and great calamity, 10 implore Divine
mercy. OF all the presidential sco rsos
which had afflicted cur race, the Asralic
cholera, in some Of its characteristics, was
the most remarkable. It's range OF opera
ton had been more extensive than per-
haps any other known or recorded, the
small pox excepted 1t had broken out
in Asia, and, after desolallng some of lis
hairest portions. penetrated the northern
part of Europe, and, sweeping over great
part OF that continent, reached the British
Chant ell. 1t passed over the British Isles,
where il ragged, but with mltgated severI-
~. We had hoped-vainly it seems hop
.ed-,hal the wide expanse of the Atlantic
would have been protective barrier
against its ravages in our far distant land.
But it has been introduced into America.
and if il has not actually entered our ter
rilory, it now hangs on our borders in It's
most frlg htful form.
The progress of the extraordinary
scourge is sometimes marked by apparent
caprice. 1t will approach city or dis
trict of country, reconnolieIlng it as II
were, with military eye, suddenly fly
off to distance, leaving The Inhabitants
rejoicing in their escape, ami 1t Will then
Unexpectedly return and pursue its work
of death. Ii attacks, too, lis victims in
various WAYS, espalching some in few
hours, Wills, in regard 10 Others, their
excrucaling torlures are prolonged a
much greater length of time. Hitherto
the skill of medical science, liber raj and
enlightened as it now is, has been alto
gelher incompetent to provide sure and
effective remedy.
Should the resolution be adopted said
MIR. C. the act of the presiden! in con-
formity to its request, will be merely re'
commendalory. Voluntary as to all, il
would be obligatory upon none. There
seems to be peculiar propriety, on the
ground o: uniformity, in the proposed
measure. Already, in different parts OF
the union, the clergy of several denomi-
nations have, il is believed, had their at
ten,ion turned to the subject Different
DAYS Of prayer and humiliation will be