Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-03-24

have in this instance done no more. 1t was
hardly necessary for him to say that three
thousand clergymen of New England were "A
very respectable body of men. No other body
Of men in the country, of the same number
were more learned, religious, moral and in
telligent than they. They were men devoted
to the cause of religion and morality, the
most of them with very little reward or OK
pectation in the way of the goods of this
world. lie further eulogized the character OF
the memorialists. lie 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 has been received without word
| of objection. This memorial ought to be re-
ceived as all others. 1t was wrong to ascribe
to its signers angry or unworthy feelings or
motives.
| Mr.. Seward said
1t is practically known to us that the clergy
of this country are persons invested with the
rights of citizens. They came here declar-
ing that they como in the presence of AL
mighty God. 1t is that universal and eternal
presence in which we are all every day and
hour of our lives, and from which we car
never, for moment even, escape. 1t is OBJ
jected to because their address is in the name
of Almighty God. What is that but a mod,
STRANGE and prayer While there are occa
sions in which we suffer ourselves to forget W,
are responsible to the Almighty, it is equal,
true that all our actions ought to be in tn
name of the Supreme Being We may put Of
or lay aside the thoughts of that awful pres
ence during our secular labors, and during
life of care, confusion, and turmoil but
when we come to close our eyes upon. tn
{ world, we cannot shut them without the re
Election that we are even here in the sight o
the Judge of All Men. Every man, when b
writes his will or instructions for those t
come after him, recites that--it is done " i
the name of God" should not adopt thi
mode Of addressing the Senate or Congress-
1t is not my habit to do 50 but know it
the habit-it is the character of those VIII
have signed this memorial. | see no objectio
to it. Is it disrespectful to the Senate of tn
, United States that men should say they spea
to them in the name of God and in his pres
) ence. If it be SO, it must BIO because we clair
to be here exempt from the superintendent
Government and providence of that Being, i
!. whom, by whom, we live ; and through whol
we exist upon earth. 1t is also objected tht
there il another offensive renark-that IL
memorialists think the measure, again
0 which they protest, is immoral in its natur
and that among its consequences it will dra
down upon us-not upon the Senate, but upo
u the nation-the judgment of Almighty Go
=, The great measure proposed is either NOR
# or immoral. There is no neutrality betwe,
4 morality and immortality. We may consc
a entiously differ in asccrtaining which is Il
" moral side ; but. nevertheless, it is moral
y immoral. These think it is of one characte
t others think differently. 1t is our right
act, let them think what they will. 1t
their right to tell us their opinion just as thu
l. understand and believe