Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-03-23
CONGRESSIONAL.
WAsHINGToN, Mar.


SENATn--Mr. Everett presented the me-
mortal Of the New England Clergymen
against the Nebraska bill.
Mr.. Douglas called for it to be read. He
said it was not respectful to the Senate and
he desired to say word upon it. He then,
in very strong language condemned the state
ments of the memorial, pronouncing them at
rocious ISLANDERS, &c. He wished to call the
attention Of the Senate to the memorial.
p" 1t is" he said ''presented to the Senate as
a protest against our action, in which certain
ly two-thirds of the body concurred. 1t pro-
tests against our action as being a breach of
faith, as involving moral wrong, as destruct-
i've Of all confidence, and as subjecting us to
the righteous Judgment of the Almighty. 1t
is presented too, by denomination of men
calling themselves preachers of the Gospel
1t has been demonstrated that there is not a
particle of truth in the allegation of y breach
of confidence. 1t has been demonstrated SO
clearly that there is 10 excuse for any man in
the community who believes it any longer,
yet here we find that u large body of preach.
ers, perhaps three thousand, following the
lead of circular calculated to deceive and
mislead the public, have here come forward
with an atrocious falsehood and an atrocious
calumny against the body, and prostitutcd
the sacred desk to the miserable and corrupt
ing influence of party politics. 1t matters
not whether they have misled the whole of
the clergymen of New England and drawn
them into this pool of dirty water. 1t mat:
tiers not whether the misrepresentation has
taken a broad scope Or been confined to a few.
| hold it is our duty to expose the conduct
of men who either from ignorance Or wilful
false knowledge, will avail themselves Of their
sacred calling to arraign the conductof Sena-
tors here in the discharge Of their duties. l
hold that the Senate is as capable of Judging
whether our action involves a subversion of
morals, whether it subjects us to the judy
ment Of the Almighty, as are these political
preachers who do not understand the question
1t is evident that these men know not what
they are talking about. 1t is evident that
they ought to be rebuked and required to con-
fine themselves to their vocation instead Of
neglecting their holy religion and violating
its sacred principles and truth and honor by
getting up document here which is offensive,
and which no gent can endorse without
violation all the rdles Of courtesy, propriety
and honor Mr.. Douglas spoke much fur
thcr to similar effect
Mr. Houston defended the memorial He
saw nothing monstrous in it. Nothing that
offered any indignity to the Senate. The me-
moralists charged that the Nebraska bill was
violation of the national faith. He had
made the same charge in the debate and had
proved it. lie then told the Senate that the
passage of the bill would lead to excitement
and agitation. 1t was then denied by Sen
ators, but this memorial signed by the 5000
ministers of the living God was evidence tina
the people were deeply moved.
Mr.. Mason was i'll favor of the right o
! petition, and hoped never to see the day whel
/ this would be denied the Senate. But th
memorial was of character that did not en-
/ title it to any favor from Senators. Its Ian
gnage was not respectful and he moved it b
r not received.
Messrs. Butler and Adams also opposed it
1 reception Mr.. Houston again defended it.
Mr.. Everett said that the memorial ha
| been presented to him but few moments be
f fore it was presented. He had not read it,
: He disclaimed any idea of presenting pa
s per, knowing it to be offensive to the Senate
: He eulogised most highly the purity and chal
9 acter of the reverend gentlemen who signe
: the paper
y Mr.. Petit spoke in severe terms Of til
y clergymen who signed the memorial, and PR
It posed that it be referred to the Rev. Henr
c Slicer, Chaplain of the Senate with instru
l. tons to inquire and report whether the N
e braska bill was violation of the laws
If God, and whether the Senate was in dang
1t of provoking the judgment of Heaven +
IF passing it. The discussion was continued
r Messrs. Douglas, Petit, Houston and Sewa'