Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-03-23
cHAPLAINs IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
IN SENATE, MARCH 81, 1850.


constituents, present these petitions in the fument OF my
duty to hem and deem proper in the ulhment OF what
beeye to be my duty to myself and country to state that
do not concur in the application made by these meoraIsts
believe this to be time honoed institution, which
down from the founders of Government believe il to
be authorized by the constitution which gives the power
elect our own officers derous also that the
which has been uniformly pursued by Congress of
appointing chapains result church establishment
have thought it necessary in presenting these petitions to
make this brief explanation and now move that they he r-
ferred to the Judiciary Committee.
The petitions accordingly referred.
About dozen other petitions Of like import were present.
ed different States a Of which referred to the Commit
tee on the Judiciary.
On the next day, (22d)-
Mr. CHASE presented nine petitions of citizens Of Ohio
and petition from citizens Of Indiana praying that chapans
in the public service may be abolished.
Mr. BRADBURY presented petition of citizens Of Som
county, in the Stale of Mane asking that the Office Of
chaplain may be abolished all Of which referred the
Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. I present two petitions from citi-
the State Of Kentucky asking Congress abolish the
office of chaplains and hencsorth refrain from al lega
ton on religious subjects will read portion Of this reti-
ton. Il sets forth that
The history of all nations from the day Nimrod to the
present time, affords the refagable testimony that
human government possibly contribute the peace and
happiness OF mankind out OF its own sphere OF
cuar legislation. Religion is matter exclusively between
every citizen OF the world and his God and until human
ernments take them the responsibility OF answering at
the bar OF God for the souls Of their constituents they
right in justice to egae the subject To yeur honor
able bodies, citizens Of the United States cheery
concede the right egsate for in all secular
rcted only BY the constitutions and in all such secular legs
aon entertain the utmost confidence in and respect for
the WISDOM vue and integrity of honorable Senators
and Representatives but when under the impression that the
cause religion requires aid patronage or Legislation from
by conciae the ofreigon-
you have been induced make provisions of kind
extent for religious establishments however the
motives by which you have been actuated have regarded
all such Legislation infringement OF the most sacred rights
guaranteed to US by the constitution.
In OF that provision of our constit
ton which declares that Congress shall make law respect
ing establishment OF religion prohibiting the free exer-
shment of national chaplaincy a OF State. We
are compelled against our own sense Of and in violation
We prohibited the
religious rights The appropriation of national funds
support ns0 se for The a.as; use. Of c0ngs. for
burdensome and oppressive citizens of the United
States if the tax levied to sustain national
church national shapancy less than national church,
is considered by us empacay an establishment OF rei-
Sion.'
petition and is induced by any OF
spec for that ligon which is from Heaven that kingdoms
which world We ask religionists only what
we are willing to concede to all oherste free exercise Of
the religious establishments which severay belong,
equal rights of our fellow-citzens.
the members OF the Houses OF Congress disposed to
pray, they inclined to hire to pray for them
their responsibility and their individual expense
claim right to object but when they officially and in
the appropriation Of funds, make legal
voved in the responsibility and thereby aggreyed."
move the reference the petition the Committee on
Military Affairs, prays for the abolition of chapans in
the army.
Mr.. BENTON. wish say that this matter of military
chapans in the army Of the United States be
understood and hence Of petitions got up against them
We all know how it is when any persons undertake to
get up petitions. Now, there such thing
employment Of chapainn the old of the term, or
what be the understanding Of these petitonersin
the army of the United States Some years agotwelve
fifteen years ago-when was a member of the Committee
Military Affairs and personally acquainted with the condi-
ton posts upon the frontier and personally knowing
the fact that the officers and soldiers Of the army ob
ged out of their small to get chapans to do the business
performing divine service Sunday and Of teaching their
children during the week. seeing and knowing that did
move this Senate allow chaplans be employed to per-
form the double duty Of teaching the children at the post d
ring the week and Of performing Divine service Sunday
be limited to fourteen of the outside posi where they could
have that advantage unless they went to the expense
Of their pockets the United States did it for them
was certain then doing service TO the army and
tending usfabe relief the officers and soldiers of the
army and really think, the people of the United States
only understood is, that should have more of
these petitions for aboishng chaplains in the army. We
have such thing chaplains in the army. They are
chapans Of the frontier posts, partially paid Of the
post fund.- and mode provided by which they supported
and appointed have been those posts where these chap
ans in service since the time they appointed, andI
have had great to congratulate myself the little part
had in securing their appointment
Mr.. BUTLER. Petitions of similar character those
presented by the Senator from Kentucky have been referred
the Judiciary Committee II at first supposed that
formal report needed but the number have
induced the committee think it better to make report
on the subject The petitioners have claim for that much
Of respect least and refer the petitions presented
the Military Committee might produce conflict the
subject They should either all 60 the judiciary Commit
lee or all to the Military Committee.
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Mississippi should be pleased to have
these petitions 90 to Judiciary Committee, and give mo-
ice to the Senator Kentucky be takes any interest
this subject that if he sends il to the Military Committee,
promise most adverse report far as have any control
over it. I agree with all the Senator from Missouri (Mr
BEsroS has said regard the appointment Of chapIains
in the army, and have like him, personal knowledge
of the subject They selected by the officers who have
charge of the post and they partly paid out of fund
raised by the officers and soldiers Of The post perform divine
and funeral services and teach the childen-emphatca
y the children Of the country for they born in the
taught preached Those petitions against the employ
sufficiently pous and, they do perform the duties Of
schoomas,er and they paid Of the public treasury
that constitutes entirely different rose, however,
merely say that if the Senator on Kentucky is interested
the investigation Of this matter, and hopes for favorable
report upon he had better not send to the Military Com
mitee.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD / had no such hope as that in
giving the direction of the Military Committee, and think
now after having heard the suggestions Of the Senator that
ought by all MEANS to send it there The petitioners say
that they desire to get rid Of supporting chapans belonging
the army Now, the best this would be, that
there such establishment that of which they
plain, and that therefore, their money taken for such
purpose and who is there who well qualified ID give