The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-25
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF REPREsEN
t TATIyES.
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 1888,


unnnsned business oil yesterday Whcn was on Inc PEE
tition presented by Mr. REED, praying the establish
ment Of commercial and diplomatic relations with the
Republic Of Hayti;
And the pending question being the objection Of
Mr. WISE, 9 Shall the petition be received"
Mr.. GRENNELL rose and said that, having pre-
scented petition for the same object sought by this to
which objection had been made, and which had been
carried over this day by the rules Of the House, and
had not yet come up for consideration, he would take
this occasion TO give his opinions the question
pending He felt deep interest," his constituents felt
deep interest in the decision which the House should
make.
This question involved rights and powers OF the
greatest characer-rghts Of the People, and powers Of
this House The common objections which had been
raised against the presentation Of abolition memorials
in any form were, in his opinion, unsound, un,enabe,
and as he believed opposed TO the spirit and The genius
Of our institutions.
The SPEAKER here interposed and reminded Mr. G.
that was not in order to enter into any debate in rea
ton to abolition or petitions in any way connected with
that subject.
Mr.. GRrSNELL resumed agree to the rule laid
down BY the Chair; was well aware Of il, aud it
not my intentoD to touch the question Of the reception
Of abolition memorials furthsr than TO preface this
mark-that the objections now taken by the gentleman
from Virginia (Mr Wise) goes further, has holder
reach than any hitherto raised against the presentation
reception Of petitions do not say it is caprcious-
" made, do question the honest purpose Of the
III
il will be by most odious and arbitrary exercise Of
power For hold that the objection strikes at the root
OF the sacred right Of petitiona right which Is among
the most vital and precious that can be enjoyed or cher
ished by free People It is not my design to enter
into general consideration Of the objections made here
against the reception Of the petitions Of the People,
will 60 into argument on the abstract right Of pc
tton these topics have been often discussed here and
in the other House, till the argument is exhausted 1t
is enough for me on this occasion to know and feel
that am acting in support Of right ancient honored,
and cherished wherever spirit OF freedom has existed
sacred in the regards fathers in all periods Of the
history as well Of the Colonies as Of the Republic.
Yes, sir this right and the principle OF II are closely
interviewer with happest recollectons OF the past
and with all our political sentiments and hopes. Take
it away, and you rob Of all left in our nstitu
tions worth contendng for II is the only Of
the weak and dependent. II carries appeal from the
dependent to the superior power to procure redress Of
grievances Petition is the peaceful and respectful
mode Of informing the sovereign power OF the wants
and rights Of the citizen the end that redress may be
granted Ay, It's prayer, as was remarked long time
ago by an honorable colleague Of mine (Mr. Adams)
It's prayer the mode Of address in which rational be-
ing approaches the Sovereign Of the World and JUS
tice and humanity demanded that the right should be
respected.
Sir have said this right Of petition has never, in
any age or country been denied where semblance OF
liberty remained might go further, and say, tits found
potism This right TO suppcate is the last to be wrest
ed from by despo'ic power. II may be disturbed
and suppressed for time and that is what fear from
what is taking place around US. 1t cannot be exlin-
guished
do believe sir, that in this free country Of ours,
the right Of the People to petition their rulers" is COM
ing to be lightly esteemed Nay it would seem that by
here and elsewhere is held in contempt, and that
this sentiment is daily increasing We have become
familiar with it, On one subject, which will not name
il is always brought to meet US here But we have now
to encounter it in broader field, and in holder
= po".'-- is presented, couched in respectful Ian
international relations with the kep-ll:~ Of Hay,i >
The subject connected with the great interests
country-its commerce, agriculture, navigation, manu-
facturcs-and with nothing else, unless II be our ma
tionsl equity and honor Such virtually the matters
Of petition here. And behold, objection is inter-
posed the question Of reception raised and array
OF reasons eloquent indeed, if not sound and convinc
ing is urged against it, You are called upon IN advance
to reject it. say to my friend from Virginia, that the
times are becoming more aud more alarming. have
not been greatly subject 10 morbid fears even when
public have seemed 10 he sadly out of Joint
And in this House, when great excitement has prevail
ed respecting certain class Of subjects and with
portion of its members, have been ready to make
great allowance for the high spirit and tone Of gentle
men. II is known that while have not acquiesced in
the denial Of the right Of petition have not contended
for It in dscourteous arbitrary, though trust, in
firm and decided manner. But | will not attempt to
conceal my fears for rights, liberties, and union
If the right to pray the subject before US sdened
what will be the next which we shall be re-
pulsed from that table, when come to place the
petitions Of constituents before this dignhed and
parernal Government 1t is impossible to foresee
where this exercise of power will be stayed.
Now, sir, will resist it temporarily, | trust, but
firmly and resolutely. 1t is difficult TO connect the
subject of this petition with that OF slavery or abolition
ran only be 1one NV mao lis object 4
worthy and beneficial and calculated to promote the
best interests Of the country II is not merely propo-
ston Of philanthropy, having an origin in religious sen.
timent it is Of political or national character also
do not know the feelings that may be associated with it
in the minds Of of tho petitioners but il is clear to
me- sir that the subject stands free from all others that
have called forth violent objections. and proposes
measure beneficial well to the American people to
distant foreign country, irrespective OF color 1t Is
movement Of patriotism.
Mr. WISE said that, with the permission Of the gen.
tleman from Massachusetts, (Mr. Grennell) he would
here add word the remarks he had made yesterday
He mir. w desired to do now, because the gentle
man from Massachusetts could answer the point before
he took his seat
It is proposed continued Mr. w that we enter into
commercial and treaty relations with this Republic Of
Hayti Now, we send Consul or Minister Plenipo-
Tertiary to that Republic, and they send a Minister
Plenpotentiary to this Republic. And what kind of
Minister will be free negro decked out in all the
paraphernalia Of Minister Plenipoenliary, rolling all
the grandeur Of ministerial dignity through the streets
OF our Metropolis black Minister Plcnipotenary in
the District Of Columbia, surrounded by the slave
States OF Virginia and Maryland present this matter
to the Representatives Of the saveholdng States, and
l ask them if they will permit ii!
Mr.. GRENNELL resumed. The gentleman is present.
ing phase Of this subject which he deems striking and
repusye how much it will avail in the result is an
other question | will consider his remarks in due
time ..#.#. .....
was about to say sir that the object Of this petition
was ustable grounds of public interest patriotism,
and national policy And | will assign reasons that
seem to me 10 establish the position. Tho island Of
Hsyt, or ST. Domingo, as it was once called, is the
second in extent, wealth, and importance, value Of pro-
auctions and commercial facilities, in the West Indies