Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-08-24
Mr.. Pearce,s AbOIitiOnism.

WI. Dutco y. SaICe, anu H's U'e"oS,
are making great interest with the Abo-
litionsts Of this State, TO obtain their
votes for p. under the pretence Of his
being a thorough and consistent advocate
Of their principles on the floor Of Con
gress. The friends of Abolition, how
over, know Pearce too we'll to trust TO
his professions and even had his rofes
heretofore been uniformly given in their
favor, that would be no guarantee at
all for his course hereafter. On recur-
ring, however, to the Journal of the
House Of Representatives Of the last two
sessions, we find that on this very sub
ject of Abolition, and Abolition Memoir
ais, Pearce has followed out the same
sinister, evasive, double-shuffie game,
which has marked his track on all other
subjects. That he has voted with the
Abolitionists on some occasions the re-
cord will certainly show-but that he has
opposed them on others, and lodged and
evaded the most important questions, is
equally susceptible of proof. The facts
in the abstract we now furnish, are taken
from the printed Journal Of the House Of
Representatives Of the last and preceding
sessions, and are not to be cOntradicted.
HOUSE OF REPREsENTATIvEs-May
25th, 1836.-Mr Pinkney's resolutions
and the various amendments to them be-
ing under consideration, n motion was
made for the precious qsesiaon, which
cuts Off amendments and debate. This
was opposed byJ. O. Adams and others,
but it was carried-yeas lO9 nays 80.
Mr.. Dutee J. Pearce voted in the affir-
native, in taror Of the prerious question
Borden Of Fall River, Hunt Of N. Y.
and other abolitio nists in the negative
The first resolution reported by MIR
Pinkney was as follows:
Resolved, that Congress possesses nc
constitutional authority TO interfere, II
any way, with the institution of Slavery
in any of the States Of this coniederacy
This resolution was carried-yeas 1872
nays 8 +; Pearce and Sprague in the affir
native.
On the next days sitting, May Goth
1885, and when Pearce 'on' or ought Il
have been present in the House, thu
QUE stion was taken on the Cd Resolution
reported by Mr.. Pmkney. This resolu
ton was as follows:
| r. solved, That Congress ought moi 4
interfere, in any ~oy, 'cifh slavery !" III
! District Of Columbia. yeas l3
nays. as. All the abolitionists of tn
House voted in the negative. Mr. SPragu
of this State voted nay ; but Mr. Psarc
found it convenient to dodge the resPon
sibility, and his name is not to be foun
on that question.
Mr.. Pinkney's third resolution the
Immediately came up (same day, Ma
26, 1885, in the following words, viz .:
Resolved, that all petitions, memorials
resolutions, propositions, or papers, reIa'
ing in any way, or to any extent, what
ever, 10 the subject of slavery ,shall, ,ciiA
om being either printed, or referred, !
laid upon the table, and that no tn The
action ,phateper shall be had thereon.
This resolution was particularly OF
noxious to the abolitionists, as it stifie
debate, and prevented reference to
committee and report on the memorial
which the abolitionists desired. NJ
Phillips of NJ ass. moved TO lay Pinkney
last reciied resolution on the table. Th
would have disposed Of il ef1ectually b
putting il asleep for the session. MI
Phillips motion was lost yeas So nay
ills. The abolitionists in the House AN
! Mr.. Sprague Of this State, voted in Jaro
of the motion to lay on the table M
d. J. Pearce against it!
But becoming alarmed, il would seen
a, his own course, on the final vote, h
gave his voice against Mr.. Pinkney
third resolution. That resolution pas
ed, 117to68. g..
To shew however how hollow and il
, sincere was Pearce, in voting again