Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-02

lhiilps, Pickens, Pinckncy, Potts, Jr, Reed, Jno
Slade Sprague, standeer, Steele, St,rer Talisserro,
Thomas; Thompson, Toueey, Towns, vanderpocl,
Ward, Washington, White, Whittlescy Wse-lai.
So The House refused to lay the petition the table.
Mr. Hammond then modified his resolution 'ollows:
rejected.
Mr. Hawkins, OF N. c. asked for the yeas and nays
which ordered.
MIR. Hunt apprehcnded, he said, that there was but
one sentiment ON this subject in that House, and let
gentlemen extend their observation over this wide
ana extended counry aud perceive what had been pas
sing since this Abolition question first agiaied and
they would see he correct that there but
sentiment every where. lie npprehended that gen.
temcn all sides merely differed as to the means
OF ehecting general and desired cnd--an end they
were all seeking, aud which was give quiet and COM
posure to this republic, upon this exciting question lie
would repeat, he thoroughly convinced that the only
Inference OF opinion that existed with regard the
means TO effect desirable end 1t had been said that
II .ey rejected this petition, they should give quiet to
the country and no other petitions memorials Of
like tendency would be sent there. Would this be so
II constituents chose 10 send their petitions that
iouse, would not gentlemen feel it their duty pre-
sent them! Permit him to say, that if there be any
ing indecorous disrespcctfu in memorial present
ed there TO any member of the House or 10 any MEM
Der OF the Government then he understood il to be par
hainentay to reject il; but if other hand the
memorial be couched in respectful language, it was
right guaranteed the citizens of this country by the Con.
sitution, 10 memoriaze that House. The riy he held
TO be sacred one, aud he could never consent TO in.
fringe upon it, even by Implication.
Humble as he was said Mr. H., it might not perhaps
be unknown to some there that upon this abolition ques
ton he had extended the principle far 90 for all
the gentlemen OF the South contended for He could
also assure them, that among the New England men,
there was but one universal and unanimous sentiment
upon the subject But TO 90 back again 10 the mode
OF efectng the desired end that of giving quiet and re-
pose TO tins agatng question, and to this excited
mnnity MIR. H. held ideas with regard it, which he
submitted with all due Difference lie held, that the
quiet of the community could not he ensured by sup.
pressing information aud inquiry; but, the contrary
both policy and expediency, and the true course they
owed TO their constituents dictated that they should
give to these memorials and these petitions the usual
course lie would appeal TO eminent instance
within the knowledge of every present. which did
more than all the meetings the subject by way If
putting down the fanatca zeal in regard TO the Sunds
mail. As long the Hous. laid those memorials ON the
table, 50 long they loaded with them session after
session but the very moment he gave them what he
conceived to be their proper direction by upproprang
them 10 committee, which made report thereon, that
very moment the excitement alayed, and nothing
more was heard on the Subject He asked gentlemen 10
carry back their recoectons what the effect was upon
the republic The subject put forever rest; and
So he apprehended it would be with the present. for he
considered the analogous
1t was true said MIR. H. the subject was an irritating
one but they as representatives Of the people, were
bound to meet it. They could not shut their eyes TO
what going around them They could not snb,
cvade IT. did he believe il was the disposition of
any honorable member there TO do The only differ
ence IN Judgment appeared TO him to be the means
TO effect the end To refer then, the analogous case
Mr. ii S deliberate Judgment was that they should
give to all these petitions the usual paramen course
Tor this not the last in all human probability thai
would be ntthere They could conceal from them
selves the fact, that the public dvised of the ex
lstence OF these memorials They would be sent to mem
bers there and Judging from what he felt be his own du
ty he apprehcnded that other gentlemen would also feel
1t to be their duty To present them He asked then
that they would show the South fairlv the nr;ncnlos
they maintained, by referring this and all similar pel
tons aud memorials either to the Committee on the
District OF Columbia, or to special committee
with instructions to report They dad not doubt what
would be the nature Of the report and he apprehended
he no risk in pedgng himself that there was not
man in that House but would give his sanction to re-
port that should Put this question for rest silence
the fanatics the hand, and satisfy our brethren of
the South the other. lie would again assure gentle
mon, ta the feeling OF the North entirely sound
and healthy on this subject This the first pub
lc occasion Mr. III. had avowed the feelings he enter
tanned this question. He had avowed them ON other
occasions; aud in the great meeting Utica TO which
allusion mad been made he had done all he could al
though he took not such prominent part his honor
able colleague over the way, (Nlr BeaTdsey0 But 10
ask him To vote for the rejection of this petition was TO
ask him 10 do what seemed 10 him a proper and re
sPecuul course if he might be permitted to use that
term With view of enabling other gentlemen who
might have similar memorials to present to pursue Tie
course their own sense OF duty directed and with view
oil carrying out The acton OF the House in which
might speak to the nation unanimously this question
through the report of some proper committee, Mr. H.
said lac should be constrained TO against tile motion
then under consideration Late was and enieebed
he was yet he would permit his vote to be re-
corded on the question without briefly explaining lis
Mr. Gluscock said, must be gratifying TO every in
dividual to have listened the remarks made by tie
honorable gentleman from New York, (Mr. Hunt5 who
had just taken his seat; and he belieycd must be equal
ly gratifying to every portion of the House to have been
placed IN possession OF his upon this question
though large portion OF them differ with the gen
tlemaD in regard 10 the policy he thinks ought 10 be
adopted i'll relation to it, The discussion that had taken
place to-day Mr. @. had hesitation in saying would
be hailed IN the South the greatest omen that the per-
manency Of this great and glorious Union was about TO
be secured; and for coming from that section of
the country he hcsitaed not to believe that the honest
difference Of opinion that did exist was am honest
difference of opinion only 10 the manner and mode
IN which this question should be settled. For one
he believed the motion Of the gentleman from South
Carolina TO be that would be approved a least tho
best approved, by that portion OF The peope fran
whom lie came. lie admitted il the constitutional
right of every citizen of the country petition this and
The oerbTanc OF the Legislature 1t Failure in the
Constitution itself, and ii eparable privilege
which lac believed individual, who advocated this mo-
ton, had pretended to deny. But he contended that
whenever the petition was brought forward, that very
moment the constitutional requisite had been complied
with and it then became the duty ofthe House to treat IL
as its merits deserved. Now, he would appeal To the
gentleman himself and ask him whether there be not in
thai petition language which calls upon the House TO
charges in Il that called for the unanimous voice Of
rcprobation Of those opposed to it, lie would TO God
that he could act this occasion with the gentleman
bat The proper course 10 be pursued in relation TO the
petition was to reject ~ and rejecting il he could moi
Tor himself believe that similar petition would apan
be presented for the consideration of that body With
due Difference 60 the opinions of those who represent
States, few Of whom might be favorable to the prn
cpcs contained in the petitions it would in his humble
conception be- virtually disrespecto the majority either
way VINO might vote to REJECT to receive afterwards
TO vote 10 lay on the table, and he wished therefore 10
avoid tins, by bringing the question and directly
To bear upon the motion to recctit
But there another reason, which II, wocl1 sug
gesl to the consideration of the House They would
be deprived Of meeting otcsfion C,lt,, C.,I