Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-19
IN SENiTE.-ruuRs Jan. I.

DcJ1tc Ike Petitions presented by Mr.: Norris from"
certain citizens Of Oo, praying for die abolition "
! !Starcry IN H:s District If COIuinja.
DIR Morris moved 10 refer the petitions to the COM
| mittre the District Of Columbia.
Mr. Calhoun asked that the question should first be
taken receiving the pclitiun 1t preliminary
question: aud under the parliamentary rule he lad
right demand it, lie demanded il the part OF the
State he represented, because half Of the Union
was deeply sandrred in these petitions. He demanded
i; because the sub cct not within the power OF Con-
gross. He demanded il that agitation the subject
might for agitation must be the inevitable consr
qucncc I'll continuing 10 receive them lie saw III these
petitions that eleven Of the States OF the Union were
grossly SIandered and could put his hand his
heart and say otherwise. They had refused TO receive
petitions because they implicated members OF that body
and they 10 receive petitions III which eleven OF
the States deeply, bascy, and malIciously SIAN
dered' Were they to put Reproduction the SIAN
der Of individual member than Tie SANDER Of So
vcregn States?
He demanded the question, because these memorials
aimed at violation of the Constitution. We have not
the power, sai he, under the Constitution to interfere
with the subject of slavery. lie and his constituents
understood this question. This preliminary abo
hton movement. These AJotionsts moved first upon
the District Of Columbia, which the weakest point,
order operate afterwards the States and he would
Iesst tSea firmly in this movement, as he would
the direct question Of enIanc patton. lie demanded
the preliminary question 10 receiving these petitions,
kecau lie to an agitation which would sun
der this Union Sir said he, fear not these incen
aware of what is due 10 itself, 20 permit the cIrcula
t.n Of those pamphlets. 1t agitation here that they
feared because it would compel the Southern press TO
discuss the question in the presence OF the slaves,
who induced TO believe that there was powerful
party the North ready TO assist them he objected to
receiving these petitions, because the country was deep
~ agitulrd by them; because they sundering the
bonds which held this Union together AS lover OF
the Union he objected receiving them; nay they
must cease she Southern people can be satisfied
And how, asked Mr.. CO. will you put stop to them
By receiving these petitions and laying them the Ia
BILE No, no! The abolitionists understood this well.
Nothing would stop them but stern refusal by closing
the doors to item, and refusing TO receive them.
Hlr. King. Of Alabama observed Of the memoir
ais directed 10 the House Of Re- which
he Thought ought not TO be received by the Senate
and suggested 10 the gentleman, (Mr Morrs) who had
presented it, the proprcty Of withdrawing it which was
done.
Mr.. Morris said, that in presenting these petitions
to the receiving Of which, the Senator from South
Carolina mir Calhoun sbjectsd, he had not cx-
amined them, but had supposed them al! properly
addressed; those however, that were addressed to the
House Of Representatives alone. he would withdraw;
he had othera in his possession, Signed exclusively
by ladies' and if the gentleman from South Carolina,
who had made the motion would agree. he would then
present cmaso, that the acGn OF me senate m'9ht be
had on the whole at once he SAID, that n presenting
,Ics. netticns he felt his duty to say that for HIM
srr and he believed III. citizens Of the State he repre-
scncL were prepared to go the whole length with gem
il,,en for, the South, in denying in the explicit
Terms the power Of Congress 10 inlcrpose in aAy
ner Whatever with the question Of Slavery in any Of
the States; that the petitioners contemplated such in
reference, nor would he in any instance, give counte-
support TO snch doctrine that the power Of
gress ought in oil cases, TO be confined strictly within
The CRAFTS Of the Constitution. Although ne most will
ngIy conceded this, ye. he clearly of opinion,
that legislation vested in Congress, both to per-
sans and things within the District OF Columbia, ana
that contrary opinion which he had lately heard
pressed was entirely new to him. and he believed ress
ed on no solid foundation Tia, the sub ec n!at,er Of