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

-
the position or the character Of the State from %nic
he came Mr. Benton repeated that ne thougHt ss
question TO be one of cxpedency, ana thaL ~ m
eernedent TO give the vote which would 60 'ut'ns
towards quoting the public mind. Inc Iuiet'S
the South, depended upon quoting the No't;' ,"r
when the aboIitionists put down IN 'he '"'ns
place the latter would be at ease IL scrneu " n,,
That the gcntemcn Of the non slavrhol4ing Hla.
the propcr persons 10 speak first lhry khe" te te
per Of their constituents best, md what ns.
good or i'll effect upon theI elmer 10 1910;
abolition fever TO allay it, He knew that ne let.s
oil the Senate was general that all wIsed 'r .ae %o
end and the gentlemen Of the North cordially rs thosT
of the South He wished the subject to lie over t'I
Monday and then to hear the opinions OF those sc"'i
men alter they had had time to Consider ana 10 co'e "
ge,lIcr.
Mr. TYLER said lie had very few remarks 10 MAKE
He was frank 10 declare, that he should have prefer
red n different 10 be pursued IN reference |"
this petition 10 tic one proposed by the Senator rom
South Carolina Entertaining the most profound re-
spcct for the opinions OF that gentleman, mol ol'{ ''
this but all other questions, he must, ncVerlnceSS
cnncss that he did not think his proposition 1uiy met
the Importance Of the subject He did not THINK II
went far enough The rg ht to cec petitions as we'll
to receive them, was tho right OF every ocpe'at'.e
body The reasons for refusing to receive them were
numerous They nigh! be insulting II the b"dy-sian
de1ous of the States and their instlutlons-rc
for various reasons In refusing to receive the ho!nS
is established in regard to their prayer H"W' 'Ae
,h, case before the Senate. The honorable Senator
from South Carolina, in spirit highly c"innrn"a"!'
objects to receiving these petitions because they arc
couched in language grossly insulting to the conru-
nifty in which he ves-he objects TO them because l'y
contain the most injurious reflections large number
of the States of this Union. Mr. I. would ASA won!d
these petitions be acceptable to the South II they
were less offensive in their language: and might II moi
hereafter be used argument for the reception OF ST.
miar petitions that they treated the South with be-
comng dccacy and respect, though their ultimate OBJ
Iccts were equally dangerous? In his conception, The
course proposed by The Senator from ) o. w"nIn not
reach the difficulty; 1t would not put an rnd 10 aDoltieh
petitions. He wanted some course more eHip:atic-
more pointcd. lie wanted expression u opinion on
the part Of the Senate, that it not competent Tor
Congress- TO interfere with the question of slavery either
in the States or in the District OF Columbia. hope
said Mr. T., thut we obtain such an opinion BY
an unanimous vote unless indeed the Senator from
Ohio (Mr Norris objected, (Which he should much re-
gre that gentleman having expressed himself as Co
gress MS the local legislature OF the District, could
legislae on this subject Although he feared that the
Senator from Ohio might not 30 with them IN the cX-
preston Of opinion as to the want OF competent
power in Congress TO Interfere with the SUBJECT, yet
he did hope that that gentleman after more mature
delibcraon, would the subject in the same light
tia, he did The object of the gentleman from South
Carolina and his was the sanlc-!t was TO put an
end TO these prtons, which wcrc calculated to keep
up the agitation in the country. They only differed
us 10 the mode Mr. r. wanted distinct expression OF
opinion the part Of the Senate, and how were they to
yet in any other way than in the usual form OF rcso-
luton: In order 10 attain This object lie would have per-
mltcd them To the way llal AL olHc!s o
description had gc me- the Committee on the District Of
Columbia IIc as Chairman Of the Committee, had full
confidence in his trlnw-mrHbers on that COMMITTEE
On this suhc, the committee mi ht he regarded aS per-
tctIy sound and he would not doubt but that they would
concur not only in report but in satisfactory rcsol-
ton He had prepared report at the last session which
had met the concurrence Of the members ana winch
not made because of the suggestion that 1t might
lead TO some excitement in the country The times have
since altered agitation had come, and he had little doubt
but that the committee would concur with him III
putting 10 rest far any action on It's part would
avail. Let these miserable petitions then g' Inc way 'iial
all others like them have gone All others heretofore
had gone las Mr. Preston said into The lion den, and his
honorable ifirnduw ;lgs Of their footprints coming
out That course would now be changed lie repeated
the belief that in the committee there would be no diner
cuce of npinion among lis members in reference to this
suhrct file hoped there would be none III The Senate.
AS 10 the question involved said r II is one on winch
we of The South cannot divide; it is vital question. He
did not n,ean to about he did not mean to ask
the commiscrann Of the Senator from Prnnsyvnna; Tor
the Sculh was stronger than she supposed to be- No
man was SAT-. from the inccndarv but the inccndIary
was no, 10 he feared when the day broke upon him. lie
would vanish like spectre OF the night, and IN
ryitable destruction would await him the return q"
day. a scrvlic cannot be excited to endure tor
day II would surrender to the sword the black popu!a
ton and an inhiscrimnae massacre might follow. tell
the Senator said Mr. f.. that Virginia Las no fear Other
sinyrs She stands prepared alike To crush rebellion
her bosom TO resist oppression from abroad. Like
every other State, she may be IN danger from TIC torch
day the danger ceases Standing there for that State
he scorncd to ask for the comniscration OF any
He wanted Justice for his State and constitutional right
nothing more. He admitted that b. emphatic de-
cision that Congress had competent authority to in.
lercrc with slavery in the District, degree Of So
curty would BE- given to allay excitement any report
| which might come from the District Committee. and
would BE- calm Sir said MIR T. should feel that that
| committee addressing Anericans--lnen, whose IA
theirs fought by the side of i'll the Of indie
pcndcnce-nen, who no more exist without us,
than VIC can exist without thcnl-idcntiled with
! in glory-and bound by the destiny. lie could
have 10 fears from this body. lie would not doubt
but that the Senate of the United States would be
true to their oalhs, and faithful to the sovcrcignrs
they represented. II Mistaken then, SAID he,
Virginia stand if left alone and she will stand
boldly and icarIcssly confident |" the result. lie
would say his friend from South Carolina, that IT, at.
having given consideration TO these expressions his
part he still thou. Int the proposition he had made the
better COURSE be pursued lie (Mr T) would waive his
own opinions and 90 with him. lie would do nothing
that would produce division with his Southern friends
on this subject. Unanlnity Of opinion and action was
all important to them. lie had made these remarks
principally because he the Chairman of the Com
nltcc on tho District Of Columbia, feeling that the sub
cct would be perfectly safe in their hands.
! (Deb0c to DC continual
! NATIONAL DEFENCE.
! WAsHIScToS, Jan. l4.-Mr. Benton yesterday intro
~