The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-12-27
NEWPORT.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 81, 1897
DOINGS IN CONGRESS.

e. DOINGS IN CONGRESS.
es The last was very evcntful and eYci
ne ing week IN Congress. Both Houses hav
been thrown into n ferment on the SLAYER
Is question, and a'serious rupture was ut on
e G. time npprehended, but j. was happily pre-
J. vented; though at the expense Of the con
:; s'ilutonal rights Of large portion Of IN
IS citizens of the Urion, and violation of TN
d freedom Of discussion.
/ In The Scnofe.-Mr. Preston Of 8. C
! gave notice, on Monday. that he should in
troduce II measure to annex Texas to III,
Union, IN consequence of the numerous ne.
| 'ilions against The annexalion. II is uoder.
stood that the subject was to be considered
yesterday. Mr.. Wall, of New Jersey. Of
fered petition from snndry citizens Of hi.
State, praying for the abolition Of Slavery
IN the District Of Columbia. This led 70 ;,
long debate, of which we copy the following
skech:-
Mr.. Clay said, il wasvery manifest that
the feeling on the subject ofaboliton IN the
District of Columbia, is extended in the
public mind, and daily exciting more and
more attention. His own opinion, he de-
clared, was well known aud unchanaed-
that Congress ought not to grant The pray
er Of these petitioners.
lie wished now TO inquire of Mr.. Wall.
and other senators from the States whence
these petitions come, whether il is, or is not
on the ncrensel and whether the feeling
was confined to abolition in the District of
Colnmbinl or whether the feeling did not
extend to other objects! Have not many
been drawn into it by the idea that the
RIGHT OF PETITION has been assuiled
And that they ought to assert Mt all bnz-
ards, this great constitutional right
Mr.. Clay thought it became the high du-
iy of the Senatcto consider whether it would
not he better to send the petitions to the
committee on the District of Columbia, and
obtain from them report such as ,ha, com
mil'ee are able to give.
Such a course, Mr.. Clay thought. was
well calculated 20 influence the public mind
aud produce that tranquility, harmony, and
good feeling throughout the country which
are 81 much to be desired.
Mr. Wall replied, that the feeling in his
State was strongly excited by the idea TIM,
The right of petition had been assaied by the
course adopted ut the last session, with re-
spect 10 these memorials. He gave il Ms
his opinion, that if these petitions were all
received and referred To the Committee off
he District of Columba and there been re-
ported upon, it would have reprcssed the ,
spirit in New Jersey and other states.
MIR, Calhoun spoke with con,emp, Of the
den Of arguing this question with the abo-
't'on'sts, by means of report from n com.
n'l'ee. These petitions, he declared.
'r'g'nate IN wild fanaticism which utterly
lisregards all law and constitution.
The question must bc met in imine /. and
'e thought joint resolution of both houses
ught to be adopted, prohibiting the intro !,
uciion ofsuch petitions, except when they
roceeded from the citizens of this dis,r;c,
The debate then took general character. :
ir. Swift, and Mr.. Pren,iss of VI. bore tcs.
mony that the feeling in favor Of aboli,ioh :.
as on the increase nmosg their cons,itu- !.
n's, and that it had been excited by the ).
'ursc of Southern gentlemen in regard to :.
e petitions that had been sent here. :,
Mr. Roane, Of Virginia, a member of the :
on tho District of Columbia, ex-
essed his determination to go into no dis
ssion respecting that subject, in the COM :,
'ttce or elsewhere. He hoped the petit "
ma would be laid on the table.
MIR, Niles spoke in favor of referring
sm Ia " committee and obtaining a scport. si
MIR. S,range of N. c. opposed the refer G.
ce. He sand ho thought gentlemen were lis
error ms "a the cause of the increase of FL
bic feeling on the question, and contend. on
for the right Of the Senate to reject the dis
Ii,ions IN E~irs. n,