The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-09-30
MIR. m1LBURN.s cHAPLA1NcY.

cinnati to Wheeling He says:
The boat was very much crowded, and |
among the passengers was considerable
number of Congressman, members of both
houses, on the way to the capital TO take
their seats. AS several Of them were men
known to fame, whose names had been
familiar with for years, I took great interest
in observing them, and in listening to their
conversation when. as is often their manner
in such environment, they talked for the
benefit of the company. cannot say how
much vas shocked, or how indignant
became Mt discovering that not few Of
these representatives of the sovereign peo-
pie of the United States, swore outrageousIy
played cards day and night, and drank
villianous whiskey to excess. expressed
my surprise and chagrin to my friend; but
the only comfort that received was, that
this was the fashion in which many of our
politicians acted.
The river was low-fogs came on. Sunday
morning arrived, we were yet eighty miles
below Wheeling, and there was no place
we could land to spend the Sabbath At
breakfast time committee ofthc passengers
waited upon me to know if could preach
to them. Never did I say yes more gladly:
for never had been so anxious to speak
my mind. A congregation of nearly three
hundred persons assembled Mt half past ten
o'clock. and took my stand between the
ladies, and gentlemen's cabins; seated in the
place OF honor upon my right and left hand
were most of my late objects of interest the
members Of Congress. had never before
spoken under such circumst ances, but never
thcless, preached rs well as could which
is not saying much. At the close of the
discourse proper, however, could not resist
the impulse TO speak straightforward word
to the men on my right and left; turning to
them, therefore, said something to the
following effect: II understand that you
are members of the Congress of the United
Stats, and as such you are or should be the
representatives not only Of the political
opinions, but also of the intellectual, moral
and religious condition of the people of this
country.
AS had rarely seen men Of your class, 7
felt on coming aboard this boat natural in
terest to hear your conversation and observe
your habits. III am to Judge the nation
by you, can come to no other conclusion
, than that it is composed Of profane swearers,
card players and drunkards. Suppose there
should be an intelligent foreigner on this
boat, travelling through the county with
the intent Of forming a well-considered and
unbiased opinion, Of the praticaf working
of our free institutions seeing you and
learning your position, what would be his
conculsiona inevitably, that our experiment
, is failure and our country is5hasening 10
destruction. Consider the influence of your
example upon the young men of the nation
what school Of vice are you establishing
? If you insist upon the right of running your,
selves, do not BY your example corrupt and
S debauch those who are the hope oftbe land
? / must tell you, that ns An American citizen
e I feel disgraced by your behavior; as prea
!. cher of tile Gospel am commissioned tc
# tell you. that unless you renounce your evi
, courses, repent Of you, aims, and believe
upon the Loro Jesus Christ With hearts
o unto Righteousness, you will certainly be
/, damned"
, At the close Of the services, retired te
8 my state room to consider my impromptu
address word by word,. and whether, if
e were called to reckoning for it, I shoul1
@ be willing to abide by it and its consequence.
d Plain speaking and stern acting are common
# things among the men of the West anc
e Southwest, and whosoever starts to run
y race of this kind should he prepared to ge
!. unf1nching to the goal. came to the COZ
4 clusion the nothing had been said of which
k I ought to be ashamed. and that f$woult
8 stand by every word of it, let the issue b
. what it might. Willie cogitating, then
!, was a tap at the door. Agentleman enteres
a who said Il have been requested to wai
Ia upon you by the members Of Congress 81
boardS who bad a meeting since the clos
= oftbe religious exercises. They desire N.
|. TO present you with this purse or money
handing me between fifty and o bundre,
dolIars-'tas token of their appreciation
Of your sincerity and fearlessness In repro
= = wing them for tbeif. misconduct i, ey. be-.
also desired me to .ssk it You ,.'w;;it1 alIos
:, your name "a be used Il ibe coming election
~ Of cb Apiain f1f Congress. .N yeu,s eopsen
to this, they all sreedy1 o 9asssrs> you 81
q honorable electtob.p q Sltite stunHed witi
: this doubis messages I saksd stela time
. ref1setIop and :eps shlfiGe With NY friends
9 He warmly urged my accsptancs> of 2ths
ysdf .offsss i As the boat 5searsd Wheslibp m,
., dssision WIS aitsa.. nassntei TO thsi,
~ pfsEnsl The. vent forward to.ha capita