The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-08-21
WHICH is THE BEST CHRISTIAN?

ING TO ARMS"
WHICH IS THE BEST CHRISTIAN?
While the Loco Foco papers are tenn
ing with false and malicious ISLANDERS
against the religious and moral character
of Henry Clay, it is pretended by some,
that James X. Polk is a religious man, and
and amember of the Church. This is de-
MED 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 sincerity Of
the man. Action is more reliable basis
Of Judgment, than mere professions. We
present below a case in which both of the
opposing candidates took part. Which of
them on that occasion acted most as we
should suppose fruei Christians would
act, under like circumstances, I'VE need not
add. The facts were briefly as follows.
In 1882, while the cholera was raging
with fatality truly alarming to the coun-
try-attacking and desolating whole towns
and cities, and battling the skill of the
most eminent, Mr.. Clay introduced res
olution in the Senate of the United States,
for the appointment of a Committee to wait
upon the President, and to "request that
he recommend day to be designated by
him, of public humiliation, prayer" &c.
The following were the proceedings in the
Senate:
"June %, 1892. The following reso-
luton offered by Mr.. Clay, was taken up
for consideration.
"Resolued, by the Senate and House Of
Representatives. Of the United States Of
America, in Congress assembled, That a
Joint Committee of both Houses wait on
the President of the United States, and
request that he recommend a day, to be
designated by him, of public humiliation,
prayer and fasting, to be observedsby the
people of the United States, with religious
solemnity, and with fervent supplicaiions
to Almighty God that He will be gracious
ly pleased to continue HIS blessings upon
our country, and that He will avert from
it the Asiatic scourge which has reached
our borders-or if, in the dIspensation Of
His Providence, we are not to be exempt
ed from the calamity, that through His
bountiful mercy, its severity may be miti-
gated, and Its duration shortened"
Mr.. Tazewell asked for the ayes and
noes on the resolution which were order
ed.
After Mr.. T. had called for the ayes
and noes, and had remarked that he would
not say one word, Mr.. Clay arose and
among other things observed:
Should the resolution be adopted, the
act of the President, in conformity to its
request, will be merely recommendatory.
Voluntary as to all, it would be obligatory
upon none. There seems to be pecu-
liar propriety, on the ground of uniformi-
ty. in the proposed measure.-Already, in
different parts of the Uuion, the clergy of
several denominations have, it is believed,
had their attention turned to this subject.
Different days of prayer and humiliation
will be probably recommended. 1t is de-
sirable that the whole Nation, on the same
day, shall present its united prayers and
supplications tothe throne ofmercy. And
there can be but little doubt, that altho'
there will be nothing coercive in the rec
concentration of the President, there will
be general acquiescence in it. The meas
ure will be grateful to all plous and all
moral men, whether members of religious
communities or not In time of national
or individual distress, all who suffer feel
an irresistible impulse to appeal to that
Being, who is alone able to afford ade-
r,,,ta raliaf
should have hesitated to present this
resolution, said Mr. C. if it had been uh-
sanctioned BY precedent.-But during the
late war, a similar resolution was adopted
BY Congress, at the instance of member
of the House of Representatives from
Virginia, and President Madison issued
his recommendations accordingly.
1t is far from my purpose TO excite UNI
necessary alarm: All dangers appear
most formidable at a distance. Even the
greatest Of all terrors, when the awful
moment arrives with mind fortified by
REFLECTION, and still more lift
be strengthened by religious hope and be-
lief, is less appalling than it seemed when
afaf of.
A single word, Mr. President, as to my
seIfI am member of religious sect. l
am not professor of religion. 1 regret
hat am not. l wish that 1 was, and l
rust that shall be. But | have and al
ways have had, a profound respect for
the religion of my father, and
or its rites, its'usages and its obsersances.
Among these, that which is proposed
N the resolution before you. has always
commanded the respect of the good and
levout. And hope ii will obtain the
of the Senate. |
Mr. Frelinghuyson said he inferred
rom the call Of the yeas and nays, that
his resolution would be opposed, and
ne therefore desired again to refer the
Senate to the precedent Of 1914. The !
,e,olution at that time was induced BY the