Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-15

pfcpOnderdncc MIR. u, alter further remarks,
submitted the following amendments
Resofred, That the prayer of the petitioners BIO
cctCd:
For the Senate without affirming or denying the
constitutional power OF Congress to grant the prayer or
The petition, believes, even supposing the power uncon.
tested, which is not, thatthc oil it would be
nexpedicnt: 81
Isl. Because the people of the District of Columbia
have not themselves peiocd Tor the abolition of slave
~ within the District
I'd because tie States of Virginia aud MARYLAND
would he injurioisy affected ly such measures whilst
the Institution Of slavery continues 10 subsist within
tcir respective JnIisdicbos; aud nrter al those States
would probably have ceded the Uncd States the ter.
ritory now forming the District it il had anticipated
adoption OF any such measure, without clearly and
Psessly guarding ugainstit.
Sd. Because the injury which would be inflicted Nv
exciting aarni and apprehension in the States ioeralng
slavery, and by disturbing the harmony between the
and the other members the conederucy, would fur ex.
ceed any practical benefit which could possibly flow from
the abolition Of slavery within the District
MI Potter made remarks expressive of his dis
appreciation of the amendment
Sir. buchanan said that some remarks both Of the
Senator from South Carolina, (Nlr Cahoun0 and oflIe
Senator from Kentucky, (Alr Clay) compelled him 10
make few observations in bis own defence.
SIR said Mr. b. rejoice at the result of the vote
winch has this day been recorded II will forever Sc
cure TO the citizens Of this country, the sacred right OF
peuuon The question has been finally settled by
a decisive vote of the Senate The memorial which /
presented Rom portion OF the highly respectable Soci
ETY. OF Friends, has been received by triumphant na
my Another happy consequence of this is, that
abolition is forever separated from the rght Of pettion
The abotonss will never be able 10 connect their
cause with the violation Of right Justly dear 10 the
people They must now stand alone This is The very
position IN which every friend of The Union both TO the
North and the South, ought desire them piace
Fson the remarks which have Just been made by the
Senators from South Carolina and Kentucky, il mipht
almost be supposed that my motion to reject the PRAYER
OF the nemoalists trng with the right of peiition
whch' III inc course OF debate have defended with all
my power Is there the slightest foundation such
an imputaton'
The memorial has been received by the Senate and
has been read If this body arc in doubt whether they
viii grant its praycrf they wish further information
upon tins subject than what they already possess then
they ought TO refer it. On the other hand if every
Senator has already determined how he will vote upon
The question: why send the memorial a committee IL
presents but one simple question for decision
asks US TO abolish slavery in the District Columbia
MY motion proposes that this prayer shall be Rejected
Now, IS II not sclfevident every Senator upon this
hoor that any committee which be formed out of this
body, Will arrive ut the same conclusion Why then
refer tins memorial To obtain port when we already
Know what that report will be Why keep the question
open for further agitation and debate Should be re-
icrred 10 committee, upon their rep IT. we shall have
The same ground 10 travel again which we Ina been
treadng tor SO long time. have yet TO learn that
when petition is presented any tribunal in case SO
clear as not to require deliberations that il is either dis
respectful 10 the petitioners that nlringes the RIGHT
peuiion TO decide against its prayer without delay.
But in this case, powerful reasons exist why the me-
mortal ought not to be referred Although we all agree
That slavery ought not to be abolished the District OF
Columbia, yet arrive at this conclusion nv affaren,
courses OF reasoning. Before lprescned This memorial
endoavoredto ascertain from Senator'S whether il would
be possible TO obtain strong in favor of any pro-
~ iurp
the Senate found this would be impossible 1 Then
made inc molon to rjecI the prayer OF the memorial
after much deliberaton.
found the Senate divided upon This snbec, int, Con.
sections One portion was opposed the prayer of the
memorial, because, in their opinion il would be uncun
sttutional 10 grant il; another because il woud y;o,
compacis Of cession with virginia and AInrv,nI.
third because it would be inexpedient and unust Il,
abolish slavery in this District whilst exists in the sur.
rounding States and fourth, who willing to 90
even TO this extent, but who equally condemned lis all
hton at ihe present moment. Here the elements
oil discord whilst all or nearly all harmonious in
heir conclusion that The prayer of the petition OUGHT
TO DE granted their premises far different NV object
was to get the strongest vote for the purpose of ca1ng
the agitation, both 10 the South and TO The North H
ofder TO accomplish this purpose, my motion one
on which the largest majority could agree and on which
each member might vote for his peculiar reasons
ask, what motion could have made well
TO attain The end, as the before the Senate
The amendment which has just been proposed by the
Senator from Kentucky will, fear, prove be the APP.
pie oi dscord IN this body 1t is strong measure
Tor one portion of the Senate; whilst IL peaL Tor
another Those who believe that we have power un
der the Constitutions TO abolish slavery this District
will not vote for the amendment because il does not re-
cognse this principle; whilst such gentlemen as deem il
inexpedent at The present upon the subject
but who do not wish Tor the uu.
VIII be equally opposed to The reasons which
ment assigns For my own part. individually sioufd
not OBJECT TO The amendment. could most cheerfulIy
vote Tor all The principles which it contains. f. be-
ilevcd IT would unite It's favor large majority of
the Senate as the motion which have made uIaccou
panied by these reasons il should have my support But
this, am convinced, will not be the case; and my pur
pose is, TO obtain the lagest possible because this
VIII have the strongest Influence upon public opinion IL
would most eiiectually check the agitation upon This sub
Ject.
Sir, said Mr. b. this question of domestic slavery ~
the weak point IN institutions Tariffs may be raised
almost TO prohibitions and then they may be reduced so
as 10 yield no adequate protection the manufacturers
our OHIhn is sufficiently strong endure the shock
Fierce political storms may aTisethe moral elements of
thc country may be cOnVulsed by the STRUGGLES of am
bilious men for the highest honOrs the Government
The SUNSHINE does not certainly succeed the storm
than that all will again be peace. Touch this question
oil slavery serousyet be made manifest TO the
people OF the South that they cannot live with MS
cepl IN state of continual appre hension and alarm for
tcir wives and their children, for all that is near and
dear 10 them upon the earlland the Union is from that
moment dissolved. IL does not then become question
OF expedIency but Of self preservation il is 1lesfion
brought home To the fresde to The domestic circle M
every white man in the Southern States This day this
DARK aod gloomy day for the Republic will most de-
youuy trust and believe, never arrive Although in
FchnsylVania we are all opposed 10 slavery in the abstract
yei we wi! never violate the constitutional conpact
which we have made with cur sister States 1heir
rights viii be hsd sacred by Under the Constitution
II IS their own question; and there let remain
On motion Of Alr. Norris tile Senate adjourned
Thursday, March 10.
IN SENATE
message was received from the President or tl,.
United States m relation TO the formation of State
Government for Arkansas with the proceedings Of Inc
meeting OF Convention at Little Rock on that subject
referred 10 Select Committee to Lc appointed bv lie
Char. - ''
communication was presented by the Chair f,o,,
the Stale Department, relation 10 the nunier Of o
mcnregistered in the various ports OF tie United iate
ieeTfed to The Committee Of Commerce and ordered TO
be printed.
SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT.
ne feiton q the Society of Friends in Pennsvlya.
ma Tor TIC abolition Of slavery in the District dau g
Of Mr. buchanan 10 reject fhn ,reu,. a.,