Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-02
Ewcnty-fourah Congrcss--Gst sess
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Fridag, December l6, 1885.


Friday,- December ls 1885.
ABOLITION -[CoxcLuDED1
Mr. Mason, of Virginia, said, that in considering
every question affecting the public interest the calmest
deberaton became the representatives of free people
In all the wide range OF the legislative duties of Com
gress, all NEST concur there which required
essentially dispassionate and deliberate dispose
ton than this; without it, the beneficial moral Influences
of their decision be lost the country he was
of the extreme decacy of the sulect-of the
deeply seated sensbity which il excited and which il
was impossible to aay-of the extreme difficulty of an
preaching il without excited feeling, but no practical
good could result from strong denunciaon inpassion
ed invecve. He did not rise to discuss the subject
ferred TO in the petition respectable portion of his
constituents had instructed him TO engage i'm such
discussion but he wished TO submit few observations
to the House, IN the sincere hope that the embarrassment
oftheir situation might be relieved and decisive vote
taken this important and exciting topic.
This same subject had been presented to the consde-
ration OF Congress- from time to time, since he had had
seat there, the petition of persons who had these
petitions have, community of interest, in the alleged
grievance of which they complained and he would here
say, what he firmly believed that he had never seen ON
the floor of the House Of Representatives half dozen
members of any party disposed TO their egisa-
tive authority for abolition of slavery here elsewhere
In the course of this debate, he happy TO have
heard every gentleman express decided opposition TO
the prayer of the petition. All conquered that there
should be no Legislative enactment in conformity their
wishes But the difficulty exists in The conflicting views
as to the by which this end be attained How
Is the subject to be disposed Of?
The House has decided to consider the petition The
gentleman from Maryland has moved reconsider that
vote. Some gentlemen opposed 10 this motion be-
which it be called up without the concurrence Of
twohirds of the House, and thus give It's quietus
aud In effect refuse TO consider it, But viii they nc
compsh their object' Understand the gentleman from
New York. fMr. BeaidsleyD TO have suggested that if
agreeable TO the House, he will modify his motion
toay on the table, as to refuse consider the prayer
OF the petition 1t appeared TO him, that this was pre-
csely equivalent to direct vote on the question OF
sdeation; and although avoided notc must be met on
some other petition OF similar character with this
1t is necessary that the House should the ques
ton. When, former day, gentleman from Maine
v on
table he (Alr Mason) had demanded that The question
should be taken by yeas and Maya aud in doing So al
luded TO the deep sensbity which pervaded large por-
ton OF the country the subject, and asked the mem
bers of the House to express their opinions the pn-
cple involved in the petition, in the vote then to he
gwen Inc result was an overwhelming majority
against the petition. He had hoped sincerely that
the decision then made, would have been acqucsced in
and that gentlemen charged with such petitions from
respect to the expressed opinion OF the House. would
have withheld them, or, on presenting them, would have
consigned them TO the fate. In this he dsa p-
pointed and to him it was apparent, that laying or
many OF these exciting petitions the table, would not
relieve the House. aud was necessary to adopt more
decisive mode In his Judgment this could only be done
by refusin q consider them
Other gentlemen disposed to refer the subject TO
of the committees of the House. He asked, what
beneficial result could be effected fhe only object of
reference TO committee was, that the subject referred
might be invest gated and It's details prepared with
accuracy and despatch for the purpose Of legislative
ton. To such examinations, Committee better
suited than the House. But surely the House would
not refer petition embracing great priHcp'e which
has agtated the public mind throughout The country
and which every member is prepared 10 express his
opinion But il is urged that report adverse 10 the
petition would aid in allayIng excitement and restrain
perseverance, in this mischcvous Has not this
been done Has not more than able report, con
demning similar petitions been made TO this House in
former sessions, and published to the world We can.
not desire merely republication Of what has already
been published, and will deceive ourselves if we
hope to repress anaca spirit, by giving such
tenanee TO the efusions Of misguided zeal.
u, said MIR. Mason, the House IS prepared to decide
upon the principle of this peton why may we not re-
ec IL at once2 Surely there is not dspnsea To OK
ercse the high and dangerous power which the petit
TONERS invoke at hands why then shall entertain
the subject Why keep alive those feelings of appre-
hension and excitement which sacred duly 10
alayl 10 refer the petition, is act of supecrogaion
which can do good and will do much mischief, The
most unc pjonablc mode in which can accomplish
this object 20 reconsider the vote; and then il will he
competent for the House OF 20 refuse consider
the petition, or TO reject IT. and if majority Of ic
House. and doubt not there is overwhelming MAORI
ty opposed 10 the petition, let them tie ques-
ton at once and terminate those angry discussions and
allay those bitter feelings which scar if they do not
break the pillars Of the noble cdi6ce Of Constitution
and Liberty.
Mr.. Pierce Of N II said he had no disposition 90 dis
the merits Of this deeply exciting question at any
time and bis respect for the rules Of tie House would
prevent his attempting 70 do So under the motion OF the
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. ThonasJ TO reconsider.
which motion he hoped would be withdrawn and then
tne NOUN OF the gentleman nom New York, (Mr.
Besrdslcy so far modified meet tie appreciation Of
al who most sensitive upon this agitang question
and he 70 add his request 70 the suggestion nad by
his friend, Che hoped he might call bin from Virginia
This not the last memorial Of the same character
which would be sent here. 1t was perfectly apparent
that Che question must be met now or al s1o rtt1re
time fully and explicitly, and such expression Of this
House given as could leave possible doubt as
10 the opinions and sentiments entertained BY its mem
bers.
lie, Mr. p, indeed, considered the overwhelming
vote Of The House the other day, laying memorial Of
similar tenor and lac believed Tie 10 terms upon
The tooe as hxng upon the stomp Of reprobat0n. ic
supposed that all sections Of the country would be- salts
fed with tlat expression gentlemen seemed now 10
consider the vote equivocal aud cvasvc Tic was On
willing that any temptation should upon tie North
IN consequence Of the misguided and lanacal zeel Of
Ew-compautgcly very icw--wbo however honest
might have been their purposes be believed had done IN
calcnlabe mischief, and whose movements be knew re-
ceived no more sanction among tle great Of The
people Of the North, than they did at Tie South.
For one, be, Mr. p while he would be the last 70 in
fringe upon any Of The sacred reserved rights Of The peo
pie, was prepared 70 stamp with dsapprobaon in the