Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-14

petition more than d but yet with all this regard ior
The right of petition, there is some respect que 10 our
selves and il must always be understood WIN some re-
strctIos The right OF petition Is Inc iIsh' ill., ~ p
tition for redress Of grievances aEscung TIC Pc
l.,ioucrs the!nscyrs but when plous anu Sody-9'tE
laL:cs in some few portions OF the N"r''; are Pc
titionng to redress my grievances, "Hch 'eci ~
grievance, when / know Of no ga!e.an'e a. ; ~,
hunbiy conceive it to be an improper ana inipSf-
tjucnt interference with any rights Now, sir, pray
how are these good, and gody, and Pous ahG Snrs'a
like ladies affected By slavery in the District oil Coiumola
They not living in the D'sIrc. OF oo,u.D. uut
Vermont or Massachusetts, They are not affected by
slavery in the District Of Columbia They are not
stained by its guilt. They are not affected ny It's
sins It's blood is not upon their skirts why. then,
should they ask redress OF the grievances e reope
of the District of Columbian Are not tho people OF the
District themselves the best judges OF their own grew
ances are they not adequate TO Judge Tor themselves ad
to appl for redress other grievances II they nave any
aud do they here, or 10 their own legislature To- K
redress Sir, must say, respect no petition coming
from pcope who are not interested directly indirectly,
on the subject about which they petition and less 50,
when its object is 10 interfere with the rights OF others
When petitions come from those who ieel ana suffer
grievance couched in respectful language will then
osocct and hear them in the most respectful manner
Then sir why up directly 10 the question and
reject this pctitllion and all petitions OF similar cha
Iactrr nsantcr have referred 10 what has taken place
erco!nrc in relation PETITIONS Of this character Which
then thought sufficiently decsve-laying them on the
ah!c-hut that wheE the country was quirtand mad
not been disturbed by The circulation OF pamphlets and
vile wood among the people OF the South Then
we were satisfied because there nothing serious to
.pprehend, the demon Of dscord had not then been
stalking through The land but now sir we see The dam
ger and set all ask is express declaration or Tie
part of brethren of the North of their determination
not rgsatc this ubcct; this we have right TO
ask and 10 expect If had the power as they have,
we would not ask even this Of them. No, sir we could
Manage these fanatics exceedingly well, ii We had them
among us. hu, cannot reach them as long as 'hey
confEr themselves within the limits OF other sovereign
and independent States cannot, we VIII not Vioale
the jurisdiction of other States.
But, say gentlemen, why press the constitutional qurs
ton now? reply, press 1t from the most urgent ahd
impcrous necessity IT due to our safety 10 our qu
Ct that we press it. Every other form IN which l!is
question has been presented has failed to secure us
against the repetition OF these memorials and petitions
Nothing, ii to me- short OF a DECLARATION on !iic
part Of Congress: Of their want of constitutional power
will restrain these fnatical crusaders from seeking the
Intervention of Congress in aid of their G!ab9!Cu
schemes, and pcrpetuay harrassing the country GO
not ask gentlemen vote contrary to their sense ui
If the believe Congress has not the power then Inns
auang subject will be put 10 rest so lar as Congress Is
concerned. irgen.lencn think Congress has the con-
stitutiouaI power let them say so-wc shall not they
decisyey refuse all Legislation upon this SUBJECT upon
grounds Of expectancy, complain OF tier opinions upon
the mere question OF power-a power when they do mol
intend exercise, and sever the Union Oh that account
No sir we value highly and love il lco dearly But
ii Tie power exists this House cannot pledge rs success
sostc South has security for the future he CcnSu'
tuition provides for the amendment of the Constitution,
BY reference TO the source of all power-thc People, Ii
will be duty 10 seek through the People an amend
to the Constitution, restricting the power OF Con.
gross upon this subject. Such an amendment must and
will prevail if the Northern people are sincere which
do doubt, in their professions Of attachment to the
Cnion and respect for righssee:ng. as they must
d. The rinitc danger rights and our safety which
would rcsat from e abolition OF slavery III The District
OF Coluruhia This would test the true feelings OF The
Nurlh and quiet the apprehcnSJns OF The South, and
the Union against the incst formidable cEc;y hy
which It's integrity could be assalcd
Sir am anxious 10 this distracn- question put
rest an that may be able {" say, with true feel
mgs Of national pride, in the language Of Inc Poet,
Whrs - beneath she sum- h. -" Winds famed
There iuats the banner OF my nutire land"
Not sir the banner of Northern empre-ilot the ban
nrr Of Southern empire but the banner OF tho Union
that ban;cr which conducted tic heroes OF the Rcro-
luton victory in the cause Of freedom, and winch has
now waved in triumph for upwards OF half century,
unarn:.!cd and unscatlcd. Sir, dn hope this CUES
L,n VIII HOW end; that Northern brethren vii! meet
il in the most decisive FORM and give such al explicit
expression of their sentiments will traEquilIZc The
South the hand, and silence the fanatics on The
ether
AS 10 the proposition Of the gentleman from Penn
syvana. (ir ngersoll) for whose patriotic feelings:
i!bttd upon this occasion, cannot withheld the
preston Of my highest admiration. can only say that
It'll true; bot it does not meet the present casetha
question before the House relates TO the District OF CO.
umba alone. The proposition Of the honorable gem
trlIan refers slavery in the States The proposition
that Congress has no constitutional power 10 ABOLISH
sIavprY in either Of The States OF the Union, need not
be decided because asscr: it and decision OF that
question would in wisc decide the question arising
upon this petition
The only way in which the question be presented
50 as TO procure the drntre and speedy action of the
House, will be BY recunsdcying the vote Of reference
now sought 10 be constituted, which earnestly hope
will be done.
To.Tha rre,icn Of petition Of this character, and for
which Intended vote, without precedent in tho House OF
In March, @ the luakrrs Of
!or Tie abolition of tho African slave trade, and TO
provide tho abolition Of slavery tho L. States,
refer tho memorial committee Int regretted
deemed denial the right % rlItiOn 'ii
uf the Of the riuUasrScc cG" = Tic EG"sc
ard f!jri's LcbGf ith rG'lmc, pGce!ll