Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-21

the position the character Of the State from which
he came. Mr. Benton repeated that he thought this
question TO be one of expediency, and that il was
expedient TO give the vote which would 90 furthest
towards quoting the public mind. The quoting Of |
the south, depended upon quoting the North; for
when the abolitionlsts put down the former
place. the latter would be at ease Ii seemed to him
that the gentlemen of the avcholdng States were
the proper persons to speak They knew the TEN.
per of their constituents best and what might have
good Ill effect upon then either increase the
abolition fever or To aay it, He knew that the feeling
OF the Senate was genera that all wished for the same
end, and the gentlemen of the North cordially rs those
OF the South lie wished the subject to lie over ill
Monday and then to hear the opinions OF those gentle
men after hey mad had time to consider aud 10 confer
gether.
MIR. Tyler said he had very few remarks 10 make
lie was frank to declare, that he should have prefer
red different course TO be pursued reference 10
tis peuton 10 the one proposed by the Senator
south Carolina. Entertaining the most profound re-
spcct tor the opinions of that gentleman not only on
this, but on all other questions he must nevertheless
confess that he did not think his proposition fully met
The importance of the subject. lie did think it
went lar enough The right to reject petitions well
TO receive them, was the right of every deberatiye
body. The for refusing to receive them were
numerous. They might be insulting to the bod,--slsn.
derous of the States and their
Tor various In refusing receive them nothing
IS established in regard to their prayer. Now, take
the case before the Senate. The honorable senator
from SVath Carolina, in spirit highly CONNIE ndable
Objects TO receiving these petitions, because they are
couched IN language grossly insulting to the comma
ny IN which he lyeshe objects to them because they
contain the most injurious reflections on a large number
OF the States of this Union. MIR. T. would ask would
these petitions more acceptable TO the outh if they
were less offensive in their language? and might il not
hereafter be used argument for the reception of ST.
miiar petitions, that they treated the South with be-
coming delcacy and respect though their ultimate OBJ
Jecis were equally dangerous. In his conception the
course proposed by the Senator from 5 c. would not
reach the diculty /, would not put end TO abolition
peu'ions lie wanted some more emphatic
more pointed He wanted expression of opinion on
tne part OF the SENATE that it competent for
Congress TO interfere with the question of slavery either
In The States, or in the District of Columbia hone
sad Mr.. T., that obtain such an oninon bv
an unanimous vote, unless indeed the Senator from
ONO (hr Morris) objected, (Which lie should much re-
gret) that gentleman having expressed himselras IL Com
gess, as the local legislature of the District could
esslae Oh this subject. Although feared that the
senator from ONO might not go with them in the ex-
preston OF an opinion as TO the Of competent
power IN Congress to interfere with the subject yet
ne dd hope that that gentleman, after a more mature
delloeration would the subject in the same lgb,
tnat nc did The object of the gentleman from Soutb
Carolina and his own was the same-t was 10 mi m
eho 10 these petitions, which calculated to keen
up the agitation IN the country. They only differed
as to the mode MIR. Il. wanted distinct expression of
opinion on the part of the Senate and were they to
get 1t IN any other way than in the usual form of
uion In order TO attain this object he would have per
led them to go the way that all others of the same
description had &C me- the Committee ON the District Of
Columbia He, as Chairman Of the Committee had full
confidence in his ieow-members that committee -
On this subject the committee nigh be regarded as ner
tectly sound and he would not doubt but that they ud
concur not only III report, but in satisfactory reson
uon lie had prepared report the last session which
was not made, because of the suggestion that il might
lead TO some excitement in the country The times have
since altered agitation had come and he had little doubt
nut that the committee would with him i'm
putting IT to rest far any action on its par would
avail Let these miserable petitions then go the wa that
an others Ike them have gone. All others hereofore
had gone (as Mr. Preston said) the lion den and his
honorable friends saw signs OF their foot prints comnt,
out. That course would now be CHANGED He renea,e5
the belief that in the committee there would be no r
ence OF opinion among its members in reference TO This
~ lie nopea there would be none in the Senate.
Asto The question involved said Mr. it is one ON which
We ct the South divide il is vital question He
did not mean 10 Cant about il he did not mean ia ash
the ccmniseraton ofthe Senator from Pennsylvania for
the South was stronger than she supposed to be- No
man was saie from the incendary, but the ncendary
was not to be feared when the day broke upon him lie
would vanish away like spectre OF the night and in
evlabie destruction would await him on the return of
Day scrvIle war cannot be excited to endure for
DAY lwoud surrender to the sword the black popua.
uon ana an indiscrImDate massacre might follow tell
the Senator, said Mr. t. that Virginia has no fear of her
slaves She stands prepared alike crush rebellion in
her bosom or to resist oppression from abroad Like
every oter STATE, she may be in danger from the torch
OF the midnight ncendiary but with the first olenm NJ
day the danger ceases Standing there for that State
ne scorneu TO ask for the commseration of any one
lie wanted justice for his State constitutional gbt
nothing more. He admitted that, by an emphatic de-
cson, that Congress had competent authority 10 in
teriere with slavery in the District some degree of So
cury would be given TO aay excitement on any report
winch might come from the District Committee and
would be calm. Sir, said Mr. t., should feel that that
committee was addressing Amercans-Inen whose IA
thcrs fought by the side of in the war of indie
Pehuehce-men, who can no more exist without us
man we can exist without them-identifed with us
IN gory-and bound by the same destiny He could
nave no fears from this body. He would not doubt
put mat inc Senate OF the United States would be
true TO their oaths, and faithful to the soycreignes
they represented If he was Mistaken, then said he
Virginia can stand even if left alone and she will stand
ooidy and ieariessly confident the result lie
would say to his friend from South Carolina that it. az
having given consideration 10 these expressions on his
part, he stun thought the proposition he had made the
better course to be pursued he (r To- would waive his
own opinions and 20 with him. He would do nothing
that would produce division with his Southern friends
on tls SUBJECT Onannity of opinion and action was
ali important to them. He had made these remarks
principally because he the Chairman of The Com.
mee ON the District of Columbia feeling that the sub.
Ject would be perfectly safe in their hands
(Debate 10 Le continued