Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-23
Twenty-fourth COngress--1st Scss

While half our idle vagabonds
Might mend their ways in Rhodes
Twenty-fourtal COngress--lst Scss.
IN SENATE-THunspAy, JAM.
DeJate on the Petitions presented by Mr. MORRIS JToM
certain citizens Of Ohio, praying for the .adol0H
SIarery in the District Of COtumbia-[ CoScLuDEp
Mr. Brown felt himself constrained, by sense Oh au
ty to the State from which he came oeePly anu
interested rs she was in every thing connected Win
the aritatns question, which had UNEXPECTEDLY oeeh
brought into discussion that morning, to present IN
few words his views as to the proper direction w'c"
should be given to that and all other petitions relating
TO slavery in the District of Columbia. He felt himself
more especially called to do from the aspect which
the question had assumed in consequence OF the motion
Of the gentleman from South Carolina, (hir ahouhJ
to refuse to receive the petition He had believed from
the first time he had reflected this subject and sub
seauent events, had but strengthened that CONVECTION
that the proper disposition of all such petitions was
to lay them the table without printing This course
while it indicated to the fanatics that Congress will
WELD no counLcnance their designs at the same time
marks them with decided Reproduction by refusal to PRINT
But, in his estimation another gave to the mo-
ton to lay them the table decided preference over
any other proceedings by which they should be met
The peculiar merit of this motion, as applicable to this
question: is that it precudes all debate and would thus
prevent the agitation Of subject in Congress- which all
should deprecae fraught with mischief to every por
ton Of this happy and fourishing coniederacy.
MIR. B. said that honorable gentlemen who advocated
this notion had discaimed all intention to produce ag
taton this question. He did not pretend to question
the sincerity of their declaration and while willing to
do every justice to their motives he must be allowed to
shy that method could be devised better calculated in
his Judgment TO produce such result.
He (Mr. b. most sincerely believed that the best in
teress of the Southern States would be most consulted
BY pursuing such here would harmonlsc the
feelings of every section, and avoid opening for discus
sion dangerous and delicate question lie believed
all the Senators who we're present few days since,
when petition of similar character had been present
ed By an honorable member had by their votes to lay
1t on the table, sanctioned the which he sug-
gested
Mr.. Calhoun, in explanation, said that himself and
his colleague absent from the Senate on the occa-
sion alluded to-
Mr. B. resumed his remarks and said that he had made
reference to the votes of any particular members OF
that body, but what he had said that similar petit
ton had been laid the table, without objection from
any one, and consequently by unanimous vote OF the
Senators present. Here, then, was most emphatic
declaration by gentlemen representing the Northern
States as we'll those from other parts Of the UDon ny
this vote, that they would entertain attempt at tegtSta
the question Of slavery in the District OF Column
bia Why them asked Mr.. Is should adopt u
mode Of proceeding, calculated 10 disturb the harmonious
action of the Senate, which had been produced by the
former vote' Why, and he would respectfully ask
Of honorable gentlemen who press the motion to re-
fuse to receive the pcttion for what beneficial pur
pose do they press it, BY pcrsisting in such course
it would, beyond all doubt, open wide range Of discus
sion- would rot fail 10 call forth great diversity of
opinion in relation to the extent of the light to petition
that question alone judging from expression which
had fallen from honorable gentleman from Va, (Mr.
TylerD in the course Of his debate That gentleman
had declared his preference for direct negative vote by
the Senate, the constitutional power of Congress
to emancipae slaves in the District of Columbia ile
for one protested politically speaking, against opening
this pandora box in the halls of Congress. For all he
necia and practical purposes an overwhelming MAORI
ty of the members representing the Northern States
were with the South, in opposition TO any amererrnce
with slavery in the District of Columbia. If there
half dozca in both branches Of Congress who did not
stand in entire opposition TO any interference with slave
~ in this District elsewhere, he had yet to learn it,
Was it wise-was it prudent-was II magnanImous in
gentlemen representing the Southern Statcs to urge
this matter still further, and say to Northern friends
in Congress, " Gentlemen, all agree in The gene
raj conclusion that Congress should net interfere in
this question, but wish TO know your reasons for
irving at this conclusion; we wish you to declare by
your votes whether you arrive at this result because
you think it unconstitutional or not. Mr. Is. SAID,
that he would yield in zeal in sustaining and
supporting to the extent of his ability, what he believed
be the true interest Of the South but he should take
leave to say, that when the almost united will Of both
branches of Congress, for all practical purposes,
with us, against all Interference this subject, he
should not hazard the peace and quiet of the country
by going QuSotc expedition, pursuit OF abstract
constitutional questions. He would not quarrel with
gentlemen long they continued in the deermina
ton not to interfere in this question: if they did
not come to that determination by precisely the same
mode of reasoning with himself. Mr.. B. said it up
peareu 10 MN course OF lnoSe
the South here, to occupy defensive position,
long others disposed not to discuss it, and Con-
gresss refused to exert any legislative authority the
subject-When that attempt made if ever should
be- he should say the time for discussion had passed. and
period had had arrived, which called for other and
more vigorous means of selEdefence.
Another and not the least weghty reason. had ope-
rated his mind in bringing it to the conclusion that
the motion to reject the petition was iniudcious If
successful nothing would perhaps, be agreeable to
the fanatics he thought they should be properly
called fends in human shape, who would endeavor lay
waste the happiness and liberties of this country than
the intelligence that they had received this mark Of
fiee and to them of consequence from the Congress of the
United States Mr. B. said, in his judgment, that
was but little skilled in the passions of the human
breast who did not know that there error how
great heresy, however abomnable either in
religion politics. which might be aided by the cry
OF prosecutions however unfounded might be in fact.
Fanatcism would seize it, enlist the sympathes Of
the weak and ignorant in their behalf Wicked und
fanatca men had done this in all ages and he doubted
not but the malignant spirits, who had been laboring
IN inns detesabe vocation, would cunningy seek to
avaii themselves OF any further their diabo
cal designs. Another, and with him. eouallv dec
sve reason against any course calculated to throw the
SUBJECT open 10 discussion mere was the almost uniyer
sal manifestation at the North during the past Summer
and fall; OF that traerna and patriotic FEELING towards
the South, which he trusted would continue to excrt lie
happy effect in preserving unimpared the bonds al,
unon of these States ne reoced at this stron@ Jav IN.
opemen of feeling not only because it had contributed
to epress the movements of dangerous enemies to the
peace and happiness of country that quarter bnt
because had dspelled the nsdous MISREPRESENTATION
in regard the sentiments of the great body of the
Northern people, which certain presses had as he be-
used for the most sinister purposes What were the