Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1838-01-06
ABoLITl0N PETITIONS.

I lAouSrsol NSuklSSS dc+hOOuSu Win tnch pce
tons. They seem determined "to do OF die'-
to wagea continued and reckless crusade agains
Southern rights and institutions. The success
Of the federal pariyin Now York has evident
strengthened their cause. They now speak in
more bold and confident tone than ever. MI
Clay seems to be courled by them, and the
would no doubt gladly take to their arms "Harr
Of the West" as their candidate for the Presi
dency. We have some reason to believe tina
he IS aa abolitionist at heart. Our Washington
correspondence his letter which we publish to
day, no doubt gives his true position with regart
to the northern fanatics.
On the 18th ult. decisive vote was taken il
the Senate on the disposition of these memorials
We clip the following article upon the subjec
from the Globe Of that date.
The Senate was almost exclusively occupied
to-day in discussion in reference to the proper
disposition to be made Of petitions for the aboli-
ton Of slavery in the District Of Columbia. The
discussion was Of the highest interest, and was
characterized by great ability. The main point
discussed was as to the expediency of referring
all petitions on this subject TO the Committee on
the District Of Columbia, Q. d laying the ques-
ton as to ;iner reception on the table. After a
debate, which lasted until past four O'Clock, the
question of laying the question Of receiving the
petitions on the table, was decided in the atirma-
tive by the following vote
YEAS-Messrs. Bayard, Benton, Black,
Brown, Buchanan, Calhoun, Clay of Alabama,
Cuthbert, Fulton, Grundy, Hubbard, King Of
Alabama, Lumpkin, Linn, Lyon, Noryell, Pres
ton Rives, Roane, Robinson, Sewer, Strsnge.
Walker, White, aud Young-25.
NAYS--Messrs. Allen, Clay Of Kentu cky
Clayton, Crittendon, Davis, Knight. Mexican,
Morris, Niles, Pierce, Preniiss, Robbins, Rug
giles, Smith of Connecticut, Smith Of Indiana,
Swift, Tallmadge, Upton Wall, Williams, and
Wright--20.
Previous to the discussion or this subject, Mr..
PREsToN gave notice that he should, at an early
day, introduce measures for the annexation Of
Texas to the Union.
On the next day an interesting and somewhat
exciting debate took place in the Senate on the
presentation by Mr.. Swift, Senator from Yer.
mont, Of memorial from the Legislature Of thai
State in relation to Texas and Slavery in the
District Of Columbia. The following is brie
sketch Of the debate:
Mr.. SWIFT, presented memorial and Gel
tain resolutions from the Legislature of Vermont
IN relation to Texas and slavery in the District
Columbia. Mr.. 5. said he would move that thi!
paper be printed and laid on the table.
Mr.. CLAY of Alabama called for the reading
Of the document.
The SECRETARY having read the document,
MIR. KING rose and said he considered it
infamous libel and insult on the South, let il com,
from what quarter it would it was false state
ment in relation TO the people Of the South, whel
il charges them with disregard for the laws, an'
he expressed his surprise that gentlemen shoult
=, esent such papers which they could mol but fee
l.a,o =, true. fit be 50 deepa disgrace 10 re
ce;ve into =, : Union State tolerating slavery
how was \ wo h,, e been, and still continue, to
geiherl Coming from q c'ale' \ y had beel
coucbed in proper terms, he ws,u's no. nave Cd
jectcd to lay it on the table but ne 'apguag'
and import were Of such ii nature that he snc"i'
be compelled to vote against its reception. III
would not have voted against the reception, but
this was altogether Of such a character as to in
duce him not to vote even for the motion to lay
the question ofrecepion on the table.
MIR. SWIFT hoped be should never prove SO
recreaut to the interest Of his constituents, as to
refuse the performance Of his duty, especially 10
present resolutions coming from the Legislature
his State. The document was the result Of no
party effort, it was the united voice of the whole
State Of Vermont. and he hoped 10 receive no
Censure for rendering due obedience TO lnstruc-
tons emana,ing from So high authority.
Mr.. CALHOUN deemed the present moment
one ofthe deepestimportance. A great step had
been takeE in the progress Of events. The cir
cumstance Of the morning had come upon him
wholly unexpected. lie had never heard that
the resolutions in question had been passed by
the Vermont Legislature; yet be Dlicht have an.
ticlpated as much. He had long forcseen The
present state Of things; and now The lime had ac-
tually como, when il was to be determined wheth.
er VIC are ionges to remain as che united and
happy people, OF whether this blessed Union was
lo be dissolved by the hand Of violence. Yer.
mont has struck q deep and dangerous blow into
the siials Of our confederacy. II was lime for
action. and he could not would not, entertain the
idea offejecting or losing sight of the tocumen,
before The Senate, but as he was lmDrepared nj,
present 70 act on the subject. he would move tla,
The memorial be laid upon the table, pledpinr
himself not 10 oppose the Senator from Vermont.
should he see 1T to call il Up hereafter: and
naoEes would call itup himself when he ANA time
Il prepare III miad fOr action on the subject:
determined he subject should not restunliIit had
received tic final action Of the Senate. TWAS
his eeliefihat the great body Of the Ncrth wee
sound 70 the matter u issue. but some seemed
sFento prefer he prevalence BIZ this dangerous
doctrine % the preservation aud continuance IL
the Union. Ills mind was unalterably tixsd. Ana
nothing should prevent HIM from putting his views
into execution.
Mr.. MORRIS thought some respect was due