The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-21
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
"WEDNESDAY. December 10Th

"WEDNESDAY, December 10th,
| The memorial heretofore presented BY Mr..
| SLADE from certain citizens of Churpsburgh in
Vermont praying the abolition of slavery and the
| slave trade in the District of Columbia, was called
| b. Mr.. SLADE
Mr. SLADE addressed the House al some length
| on the subject Of the prayer fine memorial.
He expressed his regret that there was So strong
disposition on the part OF the House to suppress de-
bate this subject-to silence the expression OF any
opinion upon it-and 10 put under the ban OF Con
| greSs. But the people had determined that the sub
| ect should Be discussed-nowiihstandi the proh
billions of our rulers, the system of exclpSiQr here
was regulated with perfect precision. He was ainaz
ed at this, considering the great importance Of the
subject and the great number Of intelligent and in
dependent citizens who were the petitioners.
He however, believed that the spirit of the people
on this subject could not be represSed any more than
the light of the Sun. The community had taken up
this matter not from any sudden impetus, but from
deliberate reflection and deep conviction.
Mr.. SLADE moved to refer the memorial 10 the
Committee on the District Of Columbia with ins,ruc
tons 10 report bill for the immediate abolition OF
slavery.
Mr. LEGARE implored the gentlemen to consider
what he was doing. To do so for the sake of the
North-for the sake of that peace which we all 50
highly priced iii was true as the gentleman said
that an rrepressble spirit existed on this question in
the North, he would assure the gentleman that this
spirit would encounter fully as stubborn at the
South and that when the gauntlet was thrown
down, the Southern people would be prompt TO take
il up,
He maintained that we should find more in favor
of slavery in the Christian doctrines than against
them Taking il up mere speculative question
there nothing in Christianity which lustihedthe
principles of abolition. He could not, with his
home and his family and his constituents in viewlis
ten here to the daily ag5ressions upon the feelings
and peace and character of the Southern people.
Mr. SLADE said he could appreciate the gentle
mans feelings on this subject and he respected Them
while he did not sympahze with them. He would
yield 10 his request in personal matter, but in this
he bound by his duty 10 his constituents to
present their views on this subject.
Mr.. SLADE went on till about two o'clock, dis
cussing slavery as an abstract, defining what slavery
was, and arguing that II was Inconsistent WIN me
principles of our institutions and the laws OF God
He adycrled TO some documents on the SUBJECT ana
TO some Virginia authorities.
Mr.. WISE interiered as he bad several times BE-,
fore TO call the gentleman to ORDER on the STouna
that he discussing slavery and It's existence IN
the states over which this House had no control.
The CHAIR decided that II was out OF order 10
discuss the existence Of slavery in the states but that
there was nothing in the rule which would justify
the Chair in calling the gentleman TO order ior aus
cussny the abstract question of slavery, however
the Chair might feel on the subject, and however
much he might be disposed TO preserve the harmony
of the House and of The Union.
Mr. WISE al length, called upon his colleagues
to retire with him for the purpose of celebrating
upon the course proper to be pursued -,
Mr. HoLSEY, of Georgia, made the same appeal
| to the members from Georgia.
L
Carolina had already signed an agreement 10 meet
al three o'clock 10 deliberate the course proper
| for them TO take
/ MIR SLADE attempted 10 proceed but Mr.. Mckay
| making objection on the ground that The genie
man had been called to order for referring TO, ana
discussing slavery in the states,
! The CHAIR decided that the gentleman from
| Vermont must take his scat
| Mr. SLADE asked leave 10 proceed IN oruer,
saving that he did not wish discuss slavery IN 'he
| states
Alter some further proceedings
| Mr. RENCHER moved an adjournment
Mr. SLADE asked the yeas and nays on Inc mo-
| ton ,nn,
Tbe nuestion was /; n and decided in the aihrma
live yeas l06, nays o3 ;,
The House then adjourned at half past '"o'
| GREtr Mail RoBBEniEs.-l Express msn "s'
been robbed al a place between Louisville ana ns'n
Vile. by the carriers. Of DRAFTS and ,, Nj
the amount Of nearly SEVENTY ihoUSaND Do ,l.
| LARS and about Hrsc HaDsa"d doidrstn ba"h ""'s
Two Of these riders (boys) were YESTERDAY tsten "
and comnitted; on one Of them was found huno't"
dollars Of the money. Also was yesterday TAKEN W
,d commi,icd man. resident Of this city, with VINO"
Inc robbers deposited the most Of their rsady nonO.
me terriers Of justice the track and ~ ho' I'm
ant Of n fourth whom there is little doubt oul lae) wa
| oyer,aka - Cinoinnah Posi-