Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1844-09-05
From the Daily Forum.
Henry Ciay's views OF Religious Duty.


The immortality and b!asphemy of the leaders of
the locofoco party. Not only have they au-
ded, in language which ought not 10 be loera-
led in an enlightened country, 10 the religious
opinions and strict moral conduct of THEODORE
FRELINGHUYsEN bu they maIiciously circu-
late among the people The most outrageous
faIsehoods relative 10 Mr.. Clay's character, as
a citizen and statesman. All this Is done tor
the purpose Of dyerilng attention from The enor
mites of lccUiocOsm, as well as from The I'M
morality and hasphemy OF those who have as
socialed infdelny with The political declrineo
advocated by the supporters OF Polk and Dallas
On Monday We published TWO letters, written
bv Mr. Bascom, clergyman, who has long re-
sided in the vicinity of Ashland, and who has
Tor many years been intimately acquainted with
HENRY CLAY. There is not iocotoco IN this
country, however reckless, who will venture 10
question The ruth of Mr.. Bascon,'s statements
relative to The honesty, integrity, unexception-
able moral department and benevolence oi the
" Statesman of the West" and yet the misera
be contemplate, irreligious hirelings who con-
duet the loco press without attempting TO I'M
peach The testimony Of Mr. Clays friends, and
without adducing any reliable evidence 10 sus-
tain them, stil continue daily TO retail The most
vile caumues that demons In human form are
capable of invening.
Who, we ask, have they placed before the
people as the opponent OF The man whose faIr
fame they would destroy, if in their power 3
Ay, who is he ?-what is has character! We
have al hand case in poln,-a transaction
in which both Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Polk look
part, and We will give the circumstances in or
der that our citizens may be able 10 decide
which of these two gentlemen manifested The
lruest sense OF moral obligation:
In S32. while the cholera was raging with
alarming Misunderstanding aud desoIallug
whole towns and cities, and battling the skill of
man, Mr.. CLAY introduced resolution In the
Senate of the United States for the appoint
ment OF committee 10 wait upon The President
and 10 request thai he recommend day 10 be
designated by him of public humiliation. prayer
&c The following were the proceedings In
the Senate:
"June 2s, 1882 The following resolution
offered by Mr.. CLAY was taken up for consld-
Grafton:
"Resolued By tile Senate and House Of Repre-
reScntatiUeS. That JOINT committee of both
Houses wait on the President and reques, that
he recommend day of public humiliation,
PRAYER and fasting 10 be observed by the peO-
pie of the United States with religious solem-
niiy. and with lervent supplicaons 10 Almighty
God that he will be graciously pleased to con-
iinue his blessings upon our country and that
he will avert from it the Asia,ic scourge which
/ has reached on! borders or Il, in the dispensa
lion of his providence, we are no. to be exempt
ed from The calamity. that through his bounuful
mercy It's severity may be mlligaled and It's du-
ration shortened"
! Mr. TAzEwELL asked for The yeas and nays.
! Mr. CLAY rose and observed that he had on
! ly one word 10 express. The resolution had
not been submitted without consultation with
The members Of the Senate whose opinion was
entitled 10 more respect than his own. 1t was
/ indeed FIRST suggested TO him by reverend
member of The clergy, and. after deliberate con-
siderailon, he (Mr. Claw thought The occasion
! fiji for he recommendation oi the religious GER
emony which The resolution contemplated. 1t
was the practice OF all Christian nations, in sea-
sons of general and great calamity, 10 impore
! Divine mercy. OF all The peslllenta scourges
which had afflicted our race, the Asiatic chol-
era in some ol lis characteristics, was The MOS,
remarkable.
Should the resolution be adopted (said Mr.
Clay the act OF The President, in conformity
TO its request, will be merely recommendalory
Voluntary as TO all, II will be obligatory upon
none. There seems 10 be peculiar proprey,
on The ground OF uniformity. in The proposed
measure. Already, in different paris of The
Unon The clergy of several denominations
have, ii is believed, had their attention turned
10 the subject Different days of prayer and
humiliation will be probably recommended. Il
is desirable thai the whole nation, on The same
day. shall present lis uniied prayers aud sup
pllca,lons TO le Throne OF Mercy. And there
can be but Ii,lle douhl lIiai, although there will
he nothing coercive in The recommendation Of
The President, there will be- general acquies-
cence in il. The measure will be grateful 10
all pious aud 10 all moral men, whether mem
bers of religious communities or noI. In lines
Of national or individual distress, all who sul-
fer feel an irresistible Impulse to appeal 10 that
Being who is alone able 10 afford adequate re-
lief.
should have hesiIa'ed 10 present his reso-
uion (said MIR. Clay if it had been unsanc,ion-