The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1847-04-12
From the Boston Courier
THE PROCLAMATION FOR FAST DAY.

We cannot permit the present occasion to pass
without noticing briefly the proclamation that
has furnished the text for these remarks. Con-
sidering the condition OF our national affairs. and
the relation which our State Executive authority
has sustained to them during the past year, there
are some things In this paper that surprise us not
little. There is one short sentence in il. refer
ring TO the existing war with Mexico. that will
we doubt not, furnish text TO many sermons on
this occasion. The relation which il bears IN a
certain other proclamation, and to certain acts of
questionable executive authority since. is sug.
gestive OF thoughts that have compelled ms to
read 1t again and again, lest we might have in
terpolated, by mistake, passage into the Cover
nor's proclamation. But no, it is none of ours
there it is :-'Covering ourselves with humility
as with garment, let US devoutly entreat (Go6
to put an end to the now existing between
our own and the people of a sister Republic. and
pray that the time may soon come when His
word shall go forth, that the sword shall cease IN
kill" These are brave words they bear the
semblance Of piety; they look for consumma-
ton devoutly TO be wished but considering the
place in which they are found, we are reminded
by them OF the words Of the Danish King. whose
character the immortal bard has depicted
-"What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself with brothers blood
l. there MOI rain enough in the sweet heavens
10 wash II shite snow ~
why snoulu we cover ourselves with humility
because OF this war; especially way should orr
worthy Governor exhort us TO do so, when the
ink is hardly dry with which he signed the com.
missions OF certain men who have gone to reyel
In the halls Of the MonteZumas For whose sins
are the people OF this Commonwealth so piouslv
exhorted to humble themselves? They have
had 10 part or lot in this matter of murderinc
Mexican women and children, but, through their
Legislature, have expressly repudated the whole
lie 4 fnrf ne 1T hat tbax,
to cover themselves with humility 1t cannot
be, for they are exhorted in the same breath /" TO
pray that the sword shall cease to kll.' perbans
the Governor himself regrets the too consnicuons
part he has played in this war, and is at last pre-
pared to acknowledge his error. There is room
enough Tor humility, there. and deep repentance.
that the Executive OF Massachusetts should have
so forgotten the position she has ever claimed n
occupy in the history of liberty and human rights
as TO compromise her honor in sight of the whole
world, by aiding aud abetting in war exnresslv
designed to uphold the institution OF slavery -
would that the observance of Fast Day bv the
people OF this Commonwealth might atone for
this offence; but we are no believers in v;ca.
rious atonement, aud however humbled we NAV
be on account Of the sins OF our rulers, we doub,
whether any thing but personal repentance on
their part can have any efficacy in wiping ont
the stain.
We should be glad to witness the spectacle of
our rulers going up In solemn procession to the
house OF prayer, and covering themselves with
humility as with garment, before all the peo
pie, renouncing their sins with penitence and
making some personal atonement for the mischief
they have done. 1t would be glorious sight. NJ
which the good genius that presdes over the
destinies OF our country might well rejoice an
act that would reflect more honor upon us than
many hardearned victories on the fields of Mex.
leo. We are persuaded the people OF Massachu.
sets would offer no obstacle to the sacred obser.
vance Of such rite, but would unite with their
rulers 10 keeping solemn festival, while they
would cherish with gratitude and ioy the memo.
ry OF her public officers, who should thus shake
of the bondage Of party, and rise above the false