Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1837-02-11
Hoaday, Feb aaTy 6, 1887.
IN SENATE.

IN SENATE.
ABOLITION OF SLAVERY.
Mr.. Upton said that he was requested 10 present 10
the Senate two memorials signed by citizens OF Carroll
and White counties, in the State OF Indiana, praying
Congress to abolish slavery in the District OF Coiulnhia.
These petitions (suid hey are printed papers, couched IN
language both decorous and respectful, and s'gnea ny
ci,rzens of great responsibility. | acknowledge (sald MIR.
~ The right OF the People TO petition Congress for u
redress Of their grievances, and feel it to be my duty,
us one Of their representatives on the floor vi Tie Sen
ate, to present their petitions, aud 10 ask tor ihem u re-
s~pecllul considerations; but | feel il to be due TO the peli-
TONERS, to the Senate, and to myself, 10 state, respectfully
but firmly, that my reflections on this subject nave
brought me 10 u conclusion very different i'o" 'has
which they seem TO have arrived at.
am unable 10 perceive, sir, whence II Is that Con
press derives the power TO interfere with slavery IN lhe
District of Columbia. Our iurefalherS, in framing The
Federal Constitution, recognised the existence OF slavery
in a portion of The States Of this Conlederacy by permit
ting slaves to he enumerated ia apporllunIng representa-
tves on the floor Of Congress. Every attempt made by
citizens of the uon-slaveho!dIng States 10 disturb the
rights OF our n~eighbors to this species Of property dis
tracts the peace OF the country, and endangers the ex-
lslence Of The Union.
It is commended that Congress has exclusive legis!a.
ton over the District Of Columbia. II that be granted,
it is but a delegated and Hunted power, not 0rtgtnat, dc.
riratire. Slavery existed IN Virginia, Mary'aho' ana
other States beiuie the Federal Constitution was adopt.
ed: slavery then belonged exclusively to tile several
States, aud there it still remains; their entering into the
Union did not yield to the Federal Government any
rights 10 interfere with the question: VI Sidftiy "lihiH
the States or in this District. The States OF Virginia
snd Maryland coded to the Federal Government this ten
gales square, called the District of Columbia, tor 4 seal
OF Government, and granted 10 Congress exclusive le-
gislatlve powers over 1t for that purpose. Inns power
Was given to Congress by the States for special purpo.
SEES, aud Is limited from the very nature Of the grant
Congress caunOt abolish The right of trial by jury. ab5ioge
The liberty Of the press, nor establish 4 national! church
IN this District any more than in any OF the States; nor
do believe that Congress has u right to interfere with
slavery in the District while Virginia and Maryland Gull
tinue To be slave States.
Were it possible that the petitioners could effect their
object, and abolish slavery IN the District o.! Columbia,
they would erect d receptacle in the midst ot Two slave
holding States for fanatics, abolilonlsts, and runaway
slaves, who would, from their strong hold there, spread
Dissatisfaction, death, and destruction through the sur
rounding country. Gould the States who ccded the Dis
trict have anticipated such a result, they never would
have coded it 10 The u. States. Mr.. Upton said he was
happy in being able to state 10 the Senate that there were
but thirty three names signed to these petitions, and that
he hoped and believed that there was but u small portion
Of his constituents in favor of The course that the petI.
TONERS recommended; that he thought it was best to
meet this question fairly; aud, taking the suggestion oil
an honorable Senator trum Virginia, not now here, (MT.
Tyler he would move TO re'sr these petitions l" The
Committee for the District of Columbia. Let that com.
miltee give US a report that will present a full aud tuir
view of The subject. This, he thought, would quiet The
public mind. This course was adopted some years ago,
when Congress was uverrun with petitions ter stopping
the mail on Sunday. The memorials were referred lo
the appropriate committee, and one able report from the
chairman Of The coalm!Itee had put that exciting SUBJ
iecl to rest, as he hoped, forever.
MIR. Calhoun Expressed the hope that a question would
be made on the reception of The petitions. He insisted:
that if an objection should be made 10 the reception ola
petition, it was the rule, and for forty years had been the
practice of the Senate, 10 take the vote OF reception,
without IL motion not to receive. He read the rule On
this point, which stated thai, il there was 4 cry OF the
House to receive, and no objection should he made, or
ii the House were silent, the reception would take place
Of course. Otherwise, a vote must be taken on It's re-
crp,ion. MIR. &. said he had in vain insisted on this at
the last session. He hoped The Chair would now sustain
the rule before MIR. e. would be compelled 10 move a
non reception.
Mr.. Ewing of Ohio said he supposed the question he.
fore the Seuale was, as I matter Of COURSE, whether the
petition should be received.
The Chair was understood TO say that the practice
which thus rendered a simple objection migratory, and
required a motion not 10 receive, was erroneous.
Mr.. Ewing; Such is my opinion as to the rules Of this
body. But | rise to express any regret that any objection
is made TO the reception Of these petitions. | last year
expressed 4 most decided opinion against the passage of
a law which should carry iuto effect the prayer OF these
petitioners; and my opiniun is still unchanged. All a
cnlzen of Il Slute in which slavery is not admitted, and
all my habits, anI feelings, are arerse to 1t, both in Prln-
ciple and practice; but did not then think, and do not
now think, that our National Legislature ought to inter.
iere with the subject. They ought not to Interfere with
Il, for it would exacerbate sectional feelings which ought
to he ussuaged, rather than excited; aud, in justice to
ake people Of the District itself, it ought not; for they
ere in the midst OF u sla I'VE. holding population, surrounded
WIN IL on all SlCeS. lDPy themselves taYe UeeD Oleu
up in the same habits: We cannot, therefore, HIS just
legislators, act for these people in a most important mat
Ter, Involving their social condition, according 10 the OPT
mons aud wishes OF ihuse who are eutire strangers 10
them and their condition, aud against their own feelings
aud will. We did not receive a cessiOn OF thus territory
from the States to which they belonged for any such
purpose; nor would such 4 measure be an act OF hnina'
nifty toward the slave, but the reverse. II would not
give liberty 10 one human being. II such 4 law were
abou, TO pass, all the slaves in the District would be hur-
Iied out Of it, and sold TO the rice aud sugar planters in
the South; SO that The cause of humanity would not be
subserved by it. | have therefore been, and am still OPP
posed to the prayer of these petitioners
Having expressed once more my views OH this sub
ject, | will further say that, i'll my opinion, great inJus.
lice has been done to these petitioners, here and else
where. They are not incendiaries, but an orderly, qui-
ct, conscientious part Of the community. The opinions
which expressed last year-the same which now
briefly repeat-wsnt abroad to them, and were not, as
ever heard, objected 10; they allow the same freedom Of
opinion which they demand, and which | claim for them;
and !e, me add that they are much mistaken who expect
to put down opinion by harshness or prescription. The
refusal 10 receive these petitions is considered as a deni.
al OF a constitutional right, aud The tendency OF our
course here is to blend the constitutional RICH, Of peti.
ton with the abolition of slavery in the district. The
effect of this is easily foreseen.
| hope, Sir, that these petitions will be received, and
ing reason and argument will be made by that commit
tee and go abroad to the People. 1t would have a better
effect on the public mind than harshness either OF &c.
ton or exp preston here.
MIR. Upton said, when he presented the memorials,
he thought the usual course would be pursued; but he
was sansned with the decision of the Chair.
Mr.. Morris, in order to obviate any possible difficulty,
moved that the petition be received.
nr. Swilt SAID he thought the same respect ought to
be PAID 10 petitioners on This as on any other subject
me KIND Of opposition which these petitions had met
with on their presentation had very much increased the
EICIC mSnt. instead Of putfIn- II bnrp ,nJ tr tIo,e