Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-03-15

himself reaping pecuniary profits from the toll
Of an oppressed race, could be found so wan
tonly to assume the attitude he has chosen to
occupy.
Mr.. Brooks, of South Carolina on the same
side, was all a Southern gentleman in the con-
yentionalism Of his courtesy, in the holiness Of
his bearing, and in the bitterness and scorn Of
his denunciations He is Q young gentleman
of fine appearance, Of good information, and Of
fair elocution and will no doubt acquire prac-
tical wisdom with increasing years, which, on
the subject Of Slavery, is greatly to be desired.
MEMORIAL OF THE CLERGY OF NEW ENGLAND.
AND THE SENATE
The memorial of the clergy of New England,
presented yesterday in the Senate, and to which
reference was made in our report Of proceed
ings, is as follows:
aThe undersigned clergymen of different re-.
lgious denominations in New England, hereby
in the NAME OF ALMIGHTY GoD, and in his
presence, do solemnly PROTEST against the
passage Of the Nebraska bill, or any repeal or
modification of existing legal prohibitions of
Slavery in that part of our national domain
which it proposes to organize into the Territory
of Nebraska and Kansas
"We protest against it as great moral
wrong as breach of faith, eminently iDjuri-
GUS to the moral principles of the community,
and subyersive of all confidence in national en-
gagements as q measure full of danger to the
peace, and even the existence, Of our beloved
Union, and exposing Us to the righteous judg-
ment of the Almighty"
This is signed by 1850 Of the ministers Of
all denominations in New England The num-
Der Of churches in that section is about 4, 400,
with accommodations for two millions of peo-
ple Some of these churches are without reg
ular supplies. The memorialists comprise the
great body of clergymen in New England, and
embrace within their pastoral care, probably
fifteen hundred thousand souls, and exercise
decided influence over the whole population of
their section.
Such demonstration as they have just
made is unprecedented, and must have origi-
mated in profound conviction that the prop
osition now under consideration in Congress
contemplates an outrage extraordinary and
peculiarly dangerous. Their language is re-
spectful, but not deferential They do not
humbly petition, but they protest-protest in
ths name Of Almighty God, and in has presence,
against this Nebraska Bill, las a great moral
wrong as breach Of faith, eminently injuri-
GUS to the moral principles of the community,
and subversiye Of all confidence in national en-
gagements; as measure, full Of danger to the
peace, and even the existence, of our beloved
Union, and exposing us to the righteous judg-
ment Of tho Almighty
This Protest, means something II means
that the religious sentiment Of the North is
fully aroused against this new aggression of
Slavery. IL means that there is unanimity Of
opposition to the measure among the People,
for it is not to be supposed that the clergy as
body, could be induced to take an active and
q prominent part in an exciting political ques-
ton, on which the People, whose spiritual in
tcrests they are specially bound to care for,
were divided into opposing parties. The I'M
usual fact Of their interference in this case
shows that the Question is one of immense
moral as we'll as political consequence; that it
has risen above all Party considerations, and
enlisted the deepest and noblest feelings Of the
People, without reference to Party associations
or interests.
Some Of the Senators denounced the memo
rial as disrespectful II is spirited and manly
not tame and dcprecatory. The Senate is not
an order Of nobility, and must not expect
American citizens to speak to.i it with bated
breath and painful Difference II derives it's
power from the People; its members are elect
cd INDIRECTLY by the People. With the Pco-
pie, not with them, resides the Sovereign Power.
They are but agents, chosen to perform certain
duties. If they fail, or abuse their trust, the
People, or any portion Of the People, has q
right to say so, and protest against their nom
action or wrsng action; and 1t does not be.
come the Agent to be over critical as to the
terms his Principal uses TO convey his mean
ing.
A Senator might protest against the passage
Of such Bill, in tho namc Of the God Of JUS
tice, as great moral wrong, as breach Of
faith, cminently injurious to the moral princi-
pies Of the community, subversivc Of all conf
dence in national engagements, as measure
full Of danger to the peace and existence Of the
Union, and exposing us to tho righteous judg-
ment Of God, without subjecting himself to the
charge OF disrespect, Even more severe lam
guage has been used by tho fearless Houston
in denouncing the Bill, but nobody dreamed
of arraigning him for want Of respect to the
dignity Of the Senate.
Things have como to a pretty pass, if Ian
guage deemed quite proper when used by Sem
ators to characterize the acts OF the body Of
which they are members, is to be denounced
as highly improper and rude when used by the