The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-03-24


With very little reward or expectation in the
way Of the goods of this world. He further
eulogized the character of the memorialIsts.
He regretted that this memorial had ELECTED
any feeling. The Senator from New York
had presented the memorial OF the Bishop
and Clergy Of New York; and it had been
received without word of objection. This
memorial ought to be received as all others.
1t was wrong to sscribe to its signers angry |
er unworthy feelings or motives.
Mr.. Petit took occasion to sneer at the !
clergy and religion they profess. Ne belev-
ed the pool ot politics was far more pellucid, |
Gle az and healthy, than the stagnant waters
Of the theology in which the petitioners lived.
Mr.. Douglass again spoke at some length,
in furious deDunciaton of the petitioners. He
was sure that there could not DO found
throughout the country any other body Of
men OF equal number who had more ignor-
ance upon this one subject, upon which they
nov protested. How many Of them had
ever read the history Of the act Of 1920! Not
one. How many of them had ever read the
history and votes Of the Northern States re-
pudiating, at the time OF the adoption, that
very act! Not one. How many of them
had ever read the votes and proceedings Of the
act Of 1850! Not one. Yet they profess to
speak the will Of God upon subject in rela.
! ton to which they are profoundly ignorant
| Mr.. Seward spoke at sJme length in defence
of the petitioners. 1t IS practically known
he said, that the clergy Of this country are
persons invested with the rights of citizens.
They came here declaring that they came in
the presence Of the Almighty God. 1t is that
universal and Eternal Presence, in which we
are all every day and hour of our lives, and
from which we can never, for moment even
escape. 1t is objected because they address
US in the name of the Almighty God. What
is that but mode of arresting the attention
to their earnest remonstrance and prayer!
While there are occasions on which we never
suffer ourselves to forget we are responsible
to the Almighty, it is equally true that all our
actions ought to be in the name of the Su.
preme Being. We may put of, or lay aside.
the thoughts Of that awful presence during
our secular abors, and during life Of care,
confusion, and tumult; but when we come 70
closs our eyes upon the world, we cannot
shst them Withsut reflections. that ws are
even here in sight Of the Judge Of all mon.
Every nan. whom hs comes to write his will
or instructors for those to come after him,
recites that II 10 done In the name Of God.
should not adopt this mode of addressing the
Senate Of Congress. 1t is not my habit to do
so, but know it is the habit and it is in the
character Of those who have signed the me.
! ria al -; 70 T.. H..
respectful to the Senate of the United States
that men should say they speak to them in
the name of God and in his presence! If it
be 50, it must be because we claim to be here
exempt from the experimenting government
and providence of that Beng in whom and by
whom we live and walk, and through whom
we exist upon earth.
1t is also objected that there is another or
! iensive remark: That the memorialists think
the measure against which they protest is
immortal in its nature, and that, among its
consequences, it will draw down upon us
not upon the Senate, but upon the nation
the judgements of Almighty God. The great
measure proposed is either moral or immo raj.
There is no neutrality between morality or
| immortality. We may cons cient:ously differ
in ascertaining which is the moral side, but
nevertheless it is moral or immoral. These
think it is Of one character, others think diff.
ferently. 1t is our right to act. Let them
think what they will, lis their right to tell
US their opinion just as they understand and
believe. By tho judgements of God, under.
stand this-that every human act of any mag
ntude is connected with preceding causes
and subsequent ects;--that rigid act il
connected with usefulness, happiness, and all
the blesangso Of a just ruler and 10 those acts
!, which, whether we deem them moral or i'm.
moral--whether Intentionally wrong or no,
--are unwise, there are connected consequen.
ces oferror, danger, peril appiness, wretch
edness aud ruin. This, in my judgement, i.
all that that expression means.
The right of petition is constitutional
right an Invaluable one, and shall never be
found critcsing the language Of the petit
oners, to see whether can find cause fol
cavil or objection. Petitioners may say pre-.
cisely what they please and what they think
proper. They may use for me any epithe
they please, still with a conscience void O
offence against God and man, | can go OF
here performing my duties precisely as i
what they said had been in the language o
courteous compliment and of praise. Fo
this reason have risen to Wind icute the me-
mortal and do justice to those from whom il
] has come.
The subject was finally laid on tho table.
vILLAINOUs CALUMNY, AND yoLUN
! TARY STUPIDITY. la,.