Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-16
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE Els.
Tuesday, December -, 1880
ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN Tue DISTRICT Oh

n.
The question being that depending from Yesterday
the motion OF Mr. Patton for Reconsideration of the
Slavery within the District of Columbia was referred to
Tic Committee on the District
Mr. Granger, of N. York, and sail: MIR Speaker,
rise TO protest against the in which the
OF these petitioners have been COMPOUNDED with Abo-
i'tionists of the North They of pure hearts,
and as pure lives any gentlemen of South Carolina;
they are TO whom the Constitution If hs country
is sacred it is the inhabitants of the South and
who will rally nits defence with spirit and power
equal TO that which brought 10 its aid BY that
gallant people. Sir Ihod the Abconists Of the North
IN no higher respect than do the gentlemen from
ma, or from any other section Of the country There
are many OF them for whose motives have respect;
there are Others whose motives honest but whom
misguided as they are would say stay your hand you
must not scatter fTcbrands, arrows and DEATH and
say--we are in sport Of them say, deal with them
under the Constitution and Laws of the land as YOU
mink proper; but when am called upon confound
hese petitioners with such persons, feel it my duty
enter my protest.
Sir; who these petitioners They are persons
VINO, looking TO the letter Of the Constitution of their
country aud finding there that Congress has the right of
exclusive Legislation for this District and not looking
beyond That to The grants of cession by the States OF
virginia ana Maryland, TO under what reservations
those grants were made and accepted; and without stop
ping TO DISK The still important question: whether
the residents of the District of Columbia REQUIRE any in
ercrcncc, suppose that Congress have ght To lesis.
late upon this subject Starting upon this abstract pro.
position, they have supposed they Ind roht To- appeor
at the bar OF this House, and to ask that the Seat of
government OF free nation should be inhabited by
those only who free
can never consent that they should be designated as
urderers, or that their should be mingled with
those of the aboltonists
Let us take them more IN detail Who are thew I
mrs. mention my worthy predecessor (Mr. Dckson) in
whose bosom beats heart as honest God ever gave
to man. and in whose veins flows the blood of as pure
patriotism anmates the breast of any member of this
iiouse lie is not gentleman against whom the charge
oil constructive murder is to be brought
VINO next: am citizen of New York State that
VII assist the gentleman of South Carolina in keeping
me clain OF union bright and strong 10 the last And
although sometimes collision may arise and there may
DC more friction than is desirable sill il is collision
which will bring that chain from the contest stronger nd
brighter than before. Ii should be remenbered and
regret 10 say.bat II 10 have forgotten that
the popular branch of the Legislature of York dur
ing The winter session of 1885, by decided maio
rity, embracing all political parties and as much nnt
ana PATRIOTISM as can be found in legislative hall of
ihs nation, passed by decided vote their opinion tIat
IL was competent tor the Congress of the United States
10 !rgsiae on this subject cannot consent, and should
hold Southern gentlemen recrean TO their own honor
could ey consent, that charge thus odious should be
quietly made against the epresenativ of their people
nor can consent, that It should be made against mine
a majority OF the Legislature of New York differing as
ana IN part from them, arc not by implication
slrucunn Inurderers and although there may be those
IN ms House, on whom the duty of defending that Lee
gisature would more properly devove, still cannot
pass over this allegation in silence
Who are next? The peaceful disciples of William,
Penn people VIII inhct wounds no where but
who carry the healing balm of consolation and sym.
Patiiy Tor human suffering, throughout the civilized
world have yet TO learn, that this Society should
tlcman ~ 60
Who next The ladies' for they have presented pc
tons here. probably shall not differ with some ns
10 me PToprety OF their interference will they diff.
ier from me when say, that if they choose TO brin0
ther power to bear such petitioners are most dis
turner's oil man repose. Indeed there few gene-
men from the South the North who have moi 1ecciv
ed many heartfelt wounds from that source; but which
fortunately are OF character likely endanger the
Inion. These murderers are like those in Macbeth:
uey only murder steep This, sir, is the situation of
such denuuciaons.
B,,,,.
slavery in the District of Columbia; and nj Inc san,
time we are told that it should be discussed Sir
resolution mas been read at the table, and when i'm or
der we are told is 10 be submitted TO the consideration
OF the House, which will open this question for debate
fully if il had been referred TO Comfnitoe ,J
they had reported bill for the abolition of slavery in
the District OF Columbia And yet we are to rc-consi.
der this vote and then TO cripple the debates merely
cause The question cannot be discussed
why is II that have become so suddenly sensitive2
Dinering as do from many ofmy constituents, have
never entertained but opinion and that is that even
lhe constitutional right exists, which doubt strongly
there IS no question Of policy existing which should
call for legislation upon this subject.
subscribe 10 the doctrine Of the gentleman from Mas
sachusets, (Alr J. q Adams asserted Yesterday and
md no reason why this petition should be driven from
the House Il has been read at the fable. Are not its
terms respectful think they are AID that if they are
not ermped and plated according to the strices con
Yenona rales of refined society," still they are so res
pectul that proceeding from freemen the representa-
them
ii The gentleman from South Carolina (AIr Ham.
mond) wishes my direct vote upon this question LET him
meet Tic proposition cfthe member from Maryland q be.
eVe that these petitions go tc the Committee on the
District Of Columbia, TO Select Conniitee and that
report be made, as 1t will be made meeting the wishes
o! these gentlemen; and then he shall have NV vote fear
lessy IN his favor. But when be insists that shall
either ovade this question, strike through il and infct
deep Wound on The guaranteed right Of petition then
say, rarlessy that will stand by the doctrine Of lie
venerable gentleman from Massachusetts, however he.
terodox that doctrine may appear Who would have be-
leYed That, from tn very quarter of the country In
which the Consttuo Of The United States could not be
made acceptable until 'hc right Of freedom of speeeb
freedom Of the press, I'd The right Of petition had bee
secured this proposition could have cmanaled? Who
would have believed, that an ettenpt would have beco
made to drive the petitioners from this Hall by these very
men, VINO profess to believe, believe chat freedom
OF opinion TO be tolerated. where reason is e free to
combat error?"
hr. lngersou, Of Pennsylvania, next addressed The
Guar, Ia speech the publication Of which il necessa
yily deferred to another day
Mr. Mann Of New York, said lac had avoided all pnr.
tcipaon IN This debate, because be thought il wise In
90 So ana ne should then say very few words in rela
ton to o. Al that he would say he deemed necessary
from certain remarks that bad fell from ono Of his Le
nofablc colleagues that morning, (Mr GrangerA That
that The Legislature of New York not LONGER ago Than
The year $50 had passed resolutions upon The subject Of
TIC right oi Congress 10 interfere with slavery in te
District Of Columbia
Mr. Granger explained. Ills words were il seemed
70 have been iorgotcu Chat The popular branch Of the
i'egsiatofe nad passed resolutions and said Mr. c.
leave tie gentleman there.
Mr. Mann Of New York, addressed the chair lie
sad that thus far, he had avoided participating in Ills
debate He had pUrpOsely done So because he lrv be
lcved that gentlemen Of the South on that floor Ve,o
entirely sincefe IN their assurances 10 that such dis