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

petition than do; but yet with oil this regard for
the right Of petition, there is respect due 10 our
selves and II must always be understood with some re-
strctions The right Of petition is the right pc
uton Tor redress OF grievances affecting tho Pc
ntioners themselves but when pious and gody-givcr
iaaies IN some few portions Of the North, are Pc
uuonng to redress my grievances, when feel no
grievance, when know of grievance at all ]
humbly conceive it to be improper and imper-
linen, interference with my rights. Now, sir, pray
now are these good and godly, aud pous and Christian
Rc ladies' affected by slavery in the District of Columbia.
dey are not living in the District of Columbia but in
vermont Massachusetts,. They are afft cted by
slavery in the District Of Columbia They are not
stained by its guilt. They not affected by its
SINS Its blood is not upon their skirts Why, then,
should they ask redress Of the grievances of the People
OF the District Of Columbia Are not the people of the
District themselves the best judges of their grew
anccs they not adequate Judge for themselves aud
TO apply for redress oftheir grievances they have any
aud do they come here their own legislature SIX
redress Sir, must say, respect petition coming
from people who are not interested directly Indirectly
on the subject about which they tition and less So
when It's object is to interfere with the rights of Others
When petitions come from those who feel and suffer
grievance, couehed in respectful language will then
respect and hear them in the most respectful manner-
lhen sr, why not up directly the question aud
REJECT this peittion and all petitions OF n similar cha
faccr Insanie have referred 10 what has taken place
heretofore In relation TO petitions of this character which
then thought sufficiently decisive-aying them the
tabcbut that when the country was quiet and had
mol bcen disturbed by the circulation of pamphlets
vale wood cuts among the people OF the South Then
we satisfied because there was nothin serious TO
apprehend, the demon of discord had not then been
stalking through The land but now sir we sec the dan.
GER and yet all we ask is express declaration the
part oil our brethren of the North of their determination
not to legisate this subject this we have right to
ask and TO expect If had the power us they have
we would not ask even this, of them No, sir, could
manage these fanatics exceedingly well, ii had them
among us, but reach them as long as they
contne themselves within the limits of other sovereign
and independent States cannot we will not violate
the jurisdiction of other States.
nu say gentlemen why press the constitutional ques
ton now' reply press il from the most urgent and
/ In aist
ct, that press it, Every other form in which this
question has been presented, has failed to secure us
against the repetition of these memorials and petitions
Nothing, 1T seems to me, short of declaration the
part OF Congress, OF their want Of constitutional power
wil restrain these anatcal crusaders from seeking The
intervention OF Congress in aid of their diabOcal
schemes, and perpctually harrassng COUNTRY do
not ask gentlemen to vote contrary their sense of rht
III they believe Congress has not the power then This
agatng subject will be put to rest so far as Conoiess is
concerned 1t gentlemen think Congress has the con.
sututona power, let them say shall not if they
oeclsvely refuse all legislation upon this subject upo
grounds OF expedency, complain of their opinions upon
me mere question OF powcr-a power which they do not
teHe 10 exercise and sever the Union that account
!o SIR we value II too highly, and love il dearly But
II the power exists this House cannot pledge its success
sors-e South has security for the future The Const
luton provides for the amendment of the Constitution
by reference to the of all power-tc Pcoplc II
viii be our duty TO seek through the People an amend.
ment 10 The CONSTITUTIONS restricting the power of Con-
gress upon this subject Such nmendncn must and
viii prevail, if the Northern people are sincere which
40 not doubt, IN their professions of attachment TO the
our rlgntS-Sceln0, they must
do the Infinite danger 10 rights and safety which
would result from the abolition of slavery in the District
OF columbia This would test the true feelings of e
NcTtn ana quiet the apprehGnSions of the South and
secure me Union against The NEST formidable enemy by
winch IT'S integrity could be assailcd
SIR am anxious this disracliny onest;on nut
to rest and that may be able say with true feel
inss OF national pride, in the language of the noel
- here s'r beneath the sun, by sea winds famed
nero floats the banner Of IN and
Not sir, the banner of Northern enpire-net Tho han
ner OF Southern empire, but the banner Of the Union
-tat banner which conducted the heroes of the Reyo-
i0tIon to victory in the of freedom which has
now waved IN triumph for upwards of half a century
untarnshed and unscahed. Sir do hope this oues.
nsn viii now end; that Northern brethren will meet
IL IN The most decisive form, and give such an explicit
expression OF their sentiments as will tranouilize the
south on the one hand, and silence the fanatics on the
ether. - 80
AS TO the proposition of the gentleman from Pom
hbited upon this occasion, cannot withhold he ex-
preston OF my highest admiration. can only saw that
II ttuei but 1t does not meet the present Cause.-The
question before the House relates the District of Co.
Inn'ba alone The propositions Of The honorable gen
teman refers to slavery in the States The proposition
that Congress has constitutional power to abols
slavery IN either OF The States of the Union need mot
be decided because assert it; and decision Of thai
question would IN no WISE decide the question arising
upon this petition.
The only way in which the question can be presented
so as to procure The donve and speedy action of the
House VIII be by recOnSiderDg the vote of reference
now sought to be considered, which earnestly hope
viii be done.
Nte-Ihe "reeeioH Of petition Of this character and for
ch Intended 10 vote without precedent the House of
Representatives. la March, I5g1 the vi Ponnsvan ore
oted petioa FOR the abolition of the African trade to
o'lc means Tor tho ultimate abolition States
hc House refused TO refer the memorial but rei
me- was not then deemed denial Of The right petitions
we prayer OF TIE w'i'i9nersSee Joaggt eftse House
g.. r1,.et = Dt1els, 4th cg.l1ae, page 2lI