Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-12-28

The representation maze oy ms colleague |
MIR. SwifD in relation TO the state of public |
opinion in Vermont. He thought the course |
of Congress towards tho petitioners had in.
creased the excitement. MIR. Niles said
that the excitement was increasing fast, and
that something ought to be done by Congress
To alay it. He was understood to favor Mr.. |
Clay's proposition. MIR. Strange commended
that no constitutional right of petition existed
on the subject, and that Congress had an un
doubted right TO exercise its discretion upon
the merits Of all petitions presented. He as
cribed the whole TO a reckless spirit of fanat.
cism. MIR. Davis argued in favor of the
| right Of petition, and remarked that he had
made the observation two years ago, that il
they wished to make abolitiunists, they need
only persist in showing disrespect to such
petitions. MIR. King, of Georgia, in reply.
said he did not believe the increase Of the
excitement was owing TO that cause. He be-
lieved il TO be The work of ambitious politi-
clans. Mr.. Hubbard, Of New Hampshire.
said the prevailing sentiment of his constit-
uents was 10 let this whole matter alone--i,
was one with which they had no concern
and that it was their bounden duty as good
citizens, not to interfere with the rights of
others. He thought, however, that the dis
cussions in Congress were well calculated TO
keep alive the excitement where il existed,
and that he therefore deprecated them. Mr..
| Hives rPDlIet IN tho IL
ence and report would quiet the excitement.
This had been done two years ago by the
House, without any such effect. 1t was ey.
ident they would moi be satisfied, but by the
attainment OF their wishes. He tberefor.
moved again 10 lay on the table. Mr.. Pres.
ton wished 10 say single word. The doors
OF Congress had been thrown open 10 the pc .
titioners, and the flame had spread wider and
wider. He was now for shutting them. He
thought that if Congress did not protect the
South, the South would have 10 protect itself
The period for argument was past. The
South must be protected, he SAID with EN-,
phnsis, or eve will protect ourselves" MIR
Cuthbert thought il best for the Senate TO
pursue the same course il had done hitherto
IN regard TO these petitions He thought
that perseverance, in The same course was best
calculated TO quiet the country. Mr.. Pierce
concurred fully with MIR. Prestor, that no
valuable end was to be obtained by discus.
sion. He hoped, however, tha, the motion
10 lay the question of reception on the table
would not be renewed. He was against the
aooiitionIais, but he wished TO meet .h oues-
lion workmanship would give no vote
| that could be construed into q denial of the
right OF petition. Mr.. Clay SAID he would
concur with the Senator from Georgia, il
The Senate, by persisting in their past course
could produce the same calmness in the cam.
Try which II had produced among themselves
but 1t was much more important that the
country should be quiet than the Senate. Mr..
Clay had asked whether the excitement had
been increasing, and from what causnp ,he
reply was that 'he excitement was extend
ing, and chiefly by the impression ,ha, the
great right OF petition was assailed. II had
been said that this was not a case for apu-
meat. Not case for argument What
vast that lay at the bottom of all our free
institutions! Argument, inquiry reasoning,
consideration, deliberstion. He thought the
best course was 10 refer them 10 the CONS
mittee Of The District The Senator from
Virginia Mr.. Rives) had said this course
had been taken in The other House-Then
let it be taken by both Houses. MIR. Grun
dy expressed his regret OF the views of the
Senator from Kentucky. For two years psst
the Senate had persisted in laying the ques.
tons pertaining to these petitions on the Ia
ble-in consequence there was little or no
discussion, and il was the discussion be
thought that was doing moro mischief than
any thing else. So far from a reference and
report quoting the aboliriopists, he believed
1t would inspire The hope that they might
ultimately prevail. Mr.. Calhoun said that
he considered The course of Mr.. Clay az most
oil all calculated TO produce excitement. Ifa
single step was yielded, tho fanslicaI spir;t
would be Terminated. He despaired a. far
as The Northern part of The county was con-
cernej, on The subject Of abolition: TWAS
interviewer with its political condition, and
would connect itself with struggle for DO
liiical sscendency. Mr.. Calhoun expressed
his sentiments on no sectional grounds-he
would prevent The destruction Of the Union
by firm resistance 10 these eDcroacbmanls;
and there was no other course. Mr. Clay
said he looked 10 the whole TJnion ord mi