Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-01-25


with them but ask him to argue with those who are
already with these men, 10 prevent their enlistlng
under their sable banners But there are any men at
the South who think come of on. Northern men
thought in fomes days, that our country is too org o
union, aud shat federalism is founded in mistake,
sentiments OF Fisher Auies, published by his
them ihave nothing 10 say, and OF Them nave Ho'ng
TO hope, but that they will add fuel 10 the NAMES u'
,heir own Peope may be- ready 10 trumple upon mat
Constitution under which 10 long pro'peed as
Peope and which If administered in It's true spirit,
will insure domestic tranquility, promote !he general
welfare and (n the language Of It's preembie) secure
The b]essinr, Of liberty ourselves and pos,ery
apn Ibis sabjec, may we BE advised BY the wisdom
of Washington ia his Farewell Address, and may these
counses Of an old and aIclionate friend Ito use his own
words) control the Of the passios and prevent
our nation from running The which has hitherto
marked the destiey Of nations. May they 'E'0dera'e
The fury Of party spirit and guard against the mpostures
Of prese aded patriotism.
s have taken the liberty of writing you, earreHte
ealamo, this long letter; my object is my best apology
bound together by common interest, and Whilst
much doing to ALLEVIATE Us from each othet sal 20
voice be heard preaching peace, union, a"e coocofa
could not oFe, you, Sir, any argu'nea! so gono as
that which is feehngy aud eoquently enforced IN e
extract which have jus. read It is we'll known 10 !he
Senate that have constantly entertained tue OPINION
that the best way 10 check the spirit OF abolition was ~
receive respectfully and refer these petitions 70 te
proper committee. That would be The Coinmuee TOT
The District Of Columbia now, and which probably
has BEEN ever since the commencement OF Tue Govern
ent 80 constituted 10 comprise majority OF mem
bess from the savehoding Suites II ihey were mus
referred silently referred as has been the practice during
great part Of the period of the existence oil The 20
veInrnent there would be no agitation iomented here
ground for asserting that the sacred right OF Peoh
had been vioiated.
three different descriptions of lst In instances
where Congress manfrsy does not possess the consli
tutional power to grant the relief prayed Tor
the petition may rejected instantly, without reference
fto,vt phofa nd no
would exist I'd. In cases where the constitutional
power the exercise of which is invoked is conrorered
doubtful uncertain In these, reference OF t9e Pc
tton may be necessary examine into the existence Of
the mower as we'll as into the expedency of exercising
it, Of this con,rovertcd nature is the Legislative power
Of Congress in this District. No one would contend
that petition to establish Bark Of the u b should
be instantly rejected, without debate aud without refer
ence nponahe sole ground that large portion OF the Sc
nate should think it Unconstitutional ORer examples
of contested powers may be easily conceived Aho gu
In cases where the power is ncontesuby possessed oy
Congress grant the redress prayed tor In the t~"
last descriptions Of cases. think that Congress il bound
uitenvely receive the petitions, and respectfully 10
dispose of them A Government which, ike ours IS
the Government of the People, should be Parentay ao
inistered as not only TO do right out US IaF Us Ps
sble, to give general satisfaction.
II has been argued that when petition is once put
in the possession Of the Senate, the right OF Peuiohn
has been practically enjoyed and that The Senate may
reject instantly refer it, lay upon the table or dis
pose of it as may be thought proper Undoubtedly this
true but in the great business OF human ie pubic ana
private the in which i. is transacted IS oen as
important, sometimes more important, than what's done
or refused And wise Government should be partcu.
larly careful not to wound inaae popular senSbilIy
on subjects respecting which large masses choose to ex
ercse the constitutional right OF pc nn. The course
which the Senate has pursued, in regard 10 THESE aoo
ton petitions for about two years past is this: Sena
tor states from his place. thu he is char ged with the pre-
senation Of Of hen aud moves TINT It be received
Another Senator tereupon rises, and moves tha the
motion to receive Inc petition be laid upon The tube; nnd
the Senate accordingly orders the motion to receive The
petition be laid upon the table; and thus The petition
is not received in parliamentary sense. The Scnaie
does not decide the question of its reception
This course have always thought unfortunate it's
unsatisfactory The petitioners feel that they have been
neglected. and they alege that the right of petition has
been denied But it has been contended that these Pe
TONERS mad and reckless fanatics, ADD has been In
dgnan.ly asked whether they merit respectful treatment
Mr.. President my observation and experience in life
have taught me, that when addressed or assaed
conduct should not be regulated by The barsh, vtu
perave, or fanatical language, or the condition, what
ever il may be, Of those who approach us, but BY the
standard of responsibility, standing, and cha
rac,er In life. And, in regard these Petitions the
question should not be much what do the petitioners
deserve what is due from the calm, elevated dgnhed
august character of the Senate of the United Staes-
These petitioners misguided as they are and h'gbly
mischevous as believe the tendency of their proceed
ings be- part of the people of the United States
and our constituents. Shall we allow ourselves 10 be
rash 10 be moved by anger transported by rage be-
cause fanatics, as they are Called or thougess men
and women, present petitions to accomplish object
which, if seriously entertained would justly excite pro.
fonnd aarms
The mode of disposing Of these petitions which the
Senate has lately pursued has certainly not produced the
eject SO anxonsy desired has, on the
contrary, aggravated and fear will continue 10 aggra
vete, The disease. The aboonsls have not diminished
but increased, and increased the most satisfactory in
formation assures u.s. because they have been able
NJ iOpn cd hnal
been denied. And many who are not aboit!ons's now
unite with them assert and maintain the right OF pel
ton. 1t is to be seriously appehended that CO operation
for one purpose may ultimately lead to CO operation for
ohe, purposes within the original contemplation OF
the parties If the Senate. by perssting in It's recent
course enable the aboousis 10 derive succo from ne
allies and if we should ulso unhappily place in their
hands an additional instrument by unnecessarily coup
ling the anne Ration of Texas with the subject of abo
ton in the series Of resolutions, then indeed there
will be too much reason to apPrehend that The North, ut
no distant day, will be united as one man.
1t appears 10 me, Sir that what becomes u.s. 10 keep
the aboltonists separate and distinct from all other
classes, standing out in bold and prominent relief; and
the subject of abolition separate and distinct from The
RICH. OF petition, from Texas aud from oil other sub.
iects; let them stand alone unmSed with the rest OF the
community, without the general sympathy and exposed
to the overwhelming force Of the united opinion of all
who desire the peace, the harmony and the union OF
this Confederacy would receive, respectfully receive,
their petitions, refer them, and occasionally present
calm, dspassionaie and argumentnve reports against
them This il the manner in which petitions for aboli
ton were received in the first Congress upon the
commentator Of Mr.. Madison; and that in which they
were ever afterwards received, until practice was
changed about two years ago. What IL there in The
mere fact Of the reception Of petition TO create alarn
Or in its subsequent reference, especially to committee
known 10 be hostile to it's object?
But il is said that these fanatics are beyond the reach
Of any argunen, and it is phanuy asked, Will
you condescend 10 argue with such deluded persons
Yes! soy yes, To preserve these admirable ins,ilu-
tons Of and This glorious Union from the possbili.
ty Of all DANGER would argue With any one, with luna
.!cs themselves iu their lucid intervals and argue ngan
and again Ills not, recall alone the abolonisis 10
Of peace and duty, that these appeals TO the
son. the Judgment, and the patriotism of the country
should be sent forth from these halls. They would I'D
with nawerG effect 10 all That rasilY