State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-02-29

j WARRINGTON, ~. u, Il Gu lOj IOOO'
Abolition of slavery again-hot and fu-
rious Its spirits walks abroad on the earth
and know not where the magic spell is to
be- found by whose potency it can be finally
put 10 rest. The greater portion of tins
day had been FILTERED away in the House
of Representatives by debates on points OF
order, which possessed generally neither
importance nor interest, aud which were
remarkable only for the entire state of dis
order which pervaded the House during
their discussion.
When Mr.. Briggs presented memorial
for the abolition of slavery, he moved its
reference to that Select Committee which
had been appointed under the resolution of
MIR. Pinckney, of South Carolina, and to
which call petitions and memorials which
had heretofore been offered, N might here
after he presented" were ordered TO he COM
niitted. Mr.. Wise raised a question of Or
der on the validity of this prospective action
ofthe House upon subject matters of legis-
lation not actually in its possessions; and
commented very severely upon the resolu-
ton itself, and upon the object which it
designed to secure. He said he did not
consider the question of abolition settled,
nor did he bclive it could be settled by any
CNdS We TCSOlullOl. luul ouDJCCL was yet
upon the tapis and should continue to be
so, as long as he could raise his voice in
defence ofthe rights of the Southern peo-
pie. The resolution of Mr.. Pinckney had
given that as a boon to the South, Winch
the South might at any moment have had
by demanding it. The South had been
arragned by a Sothern man. Mr.. Wise
hisS'd and Spurned him as deSerter from
his principles. Such were the exact words
as understood them.
! The cries 70 "order" became loud and
tumultuous. MIR. Wise was directed to
take his set the Speaker said that the words
were personal and therefore out of order
and that MIR. Wise could not be premettcd
/ to proceed unless by special consent of the
! House. The words in writing, were called
for: they were taken down as understood
! by the Speaker and Mr.. Wise was called
upon to affirm or deny them. Mr.. Wise
denied that the words as taken down, were
the precise word used by him. He did
not undertake to say what ,0ere the prcise
words, but he did undertake to say that the
words taken ,0ere not the precise word,
After scene of much excitement and
disorder. Mr.. Wise rose, by permission of
the House, to explain the words he had
uttered. lie said, he did not intend to max
personal attack upon Mr.. Pinckney. He
did intend however, to attack the principle
of his resolution. He did not intend to at
tack the motive of MIR. Pinckney; God only
knew what his motive had been. If there
was Judas Iscariot in this House, who
had received his thirty pieces of silver, MIR.
Wise knew it not.
MIR. Pinckney rose hastily from his seat,
! Interrupted Mr.. Wise, and said that the
matter was progressing too far. lie had
borne as long as any man could bear, and
he begged permission of the House to say
u word. The Speaker said he could be
permitted to proceed, provided Mr.. Wise
would yeald the floor. That gentleman
refused to do so, and proceeded in his ex-
PLANTATION. lie wished to be distinctly un-
derstood both by the House and Mr. Pnck
ney himself, that he intended no attack
upon that gentleman, and no personal in
suit to him he had right to characterize
acts of legislation here. He did so: and in
| so doing, her Kissed the gentleman rs n
deserter from the principles of the South.
Mr.. Pinckney appealed to the House TO
here him: it was heard he should not be
permitted to say a syllable reply to the wan
ton, unprovoked and unjustiiiable attack
which had been made upon him. But the
House could not be induced to concent.
The Speaker decided that, notwithstanding
the explanation of MIR. Wise his words
were out of order, aud that he could only
proceed by permission of the House. Mr..
Wise appealed; but withdrew his appeal.
on the request of MIR. Bell, who suggested
that the point could best be settled by
taking the question, "Shall the gentleman
from Virginia be permitted to proceed ~
The House decided this question in favor
Of Mr.. Wise, by avote of one hmdred and
eleren Yeas against ninety t,oo Nays.
! Up'n this decision, points of order came
up thicker and faster than before. One
member had no sooner announced that
che rose to point of ORDER" than his next
door neighbos requested that he might be
made TO set down, whilst he raised his point
of order. The result was that, iinaley no
one knew whether he stood on his head
or heels and each appealed to his friend to
come between him and his wits, lest they
should founder forever. We succeeded
however, between four and five, in getting
up an adjournment, since which time
have not attended to the slightest avocation
without entertaining serious doubts whether
! | was not out of order in dolg so.
; Our N York Fire Bill is made the specia
order for TO morrow. | hope it may be in
my power here long TO send you glad tidings
in regad to it. But | have much misgiv'
, ing. IL.