Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-02-01

reference Of one portion of the Con!ederacy win tne
institutions of the other had nnqucslionauy
the right to say what is lis conception OF such 'htei
ference whether il consistent with inc Sohs:ltu-
nn with Tie peace and harmony existence OIL TIE
Union or not ard no State had right 10 consider sach
declaration as an offence But he anxious 10 noiliy
bis resolutions as far phraseoogy was conceIneG;so
sui. others, and would yield, without hesitation,
The word nerniedde, and substitute in lis place any at
tempt 1t would not vary the sense, nor weaken Tue eH
preston materially, while he trusted it would ehlirey
remove the objection Of the Senator to The resolution
Mr. Preston suggested TO the to strike out The
the words son tie ground under the preteTt tat Il 'rds
immoral SINFUL and insert on any prst1t l0hacrer.
Mr. Calhoun objected 10 striking out the words re-
rrred By his colleague; they the ab"ltlonIss d.
rectiy; but would accept as modification Tie words lie
proposed TO add.
Mr. Preston moved further 10 insert the words ''aso
violation of the public faith implied in the cess"n Ct
this District by The States Of Virginia and Mary
Mr. Calhoun had always been of the opinion that any
Interference with slavery in this District would not only
be violation of the public faith TO the States Of Frsl.
MIA and Maryland bnt would also he direct violation oil
the 9Th amended article of the Constitution lie had
not, however, thought proper 10 it, he knew
that there maturity in the Senate of different OPT.
Mon, and his OlIpct TO place tie question on no
particular portion Of The Constitution but its gene
raj character and structure, which he thought was much
stronger, and much less liable TO be disputed He would
neither uh assent TO the proposed modicaiIun
and would lpave it, without further remark, To The dcci-
sion Of the Senate
Mr. Prestons second amendment was then agreed to-
after which
mir Clav of Kentucky, addressed the Senate and
submitted his substitute (ns heretofore published) MI
Calhoun Replied Gas also heretofore given and the brief
nrrocutory debate between these two gentlemen tul.
lowed, which was published on the 18th This, huwe".
err from the accidental omission of part OF The report,
was imperfrcy given The omissions supplied.
and 10 render br debate ineligible, part Of Mr. Cal
houns remarks here repeated. Mr.. Clay having re-
sumed his seat
Mr. Calhoun followed He said he felt some induce
ment pesrvere in the he had heretofore Pur.
sued, BY seeing the concessions which were pro-
posed by the resolutions just read by the Senator from
Kentucky. MIR. G. saw it conceded that where
the subject clearly unconstitutional the Senate was
not bound TO receive petition AT first, the broad
ground TAKEN that The right OF petition was SD sa
cred that any refusal 10 receive petition, no matter on
what subject and matter how o. cCnnab!c it's Ian.
gunge, would be invasion Of il. Now il was conced-
ed that they not bound TO receive petition when
The subject Of it clearly Unconstitutional. Now as
10 the amendment offered by the Senator from Ken
lucky the filth resolution. He would state, in gene
raj terms, what the great characteristic difference
between them. The Senator went on the principle
that concession the way 10 meet these abOltun-
isis. lie, on the other hand, went The ground
that we have safely but in slundlng fast on our
rights. What the state of the question? The
ahnIiionss tell you, in so many words that Their OBJ
iect is abolish slavery in the District OF Columbia
as but one step towards final abolition in the States.
With this object avowed by The abo!,onists what do
duty aud policy demand on part; We see the end;
and that, if il be effected it would be our desruc.
ton. Shall we yield, stand fast That is the Gnps
tiou If we yield an inch gone. The very
ground on which We asked 10 make the first cOncrs
sion will be urged US with equal force 10 make the
second the third and every intermediate one TILL The last
is cousunmatrd The first is TO yield the right OF petit
lion aud discuss The subject with the abutonis,s in
order to appeGsc them, and 10 stop agitation This the
Senator from Kentucky (lr Clay) urges which
he tells would have happy effect in quoting the
public feeling. Does he not see that: II we should have
the iuy make this concession, will be next urged 10
yield the nboono slavery in this District OH the very
same ground We will be told that there bu; h0
slaves in Tie District. and il yield 10 So small re,
quest, all will be quiet. If that be conceded, We will
be next told must yield 10 the abolition IN the Ter
rilories and then to the abolition Of what they CAL the
slave trade between the States and finally, 10 ah",rn
10 the States Alevrry step they would become strong
or, aud weaker if should be so infatuated as To
make the fist concession; and the Senator from Ken
lucky at each STEP would doubt be able 10 read just
such letter as he had Just read, from some wcl!Inirn
toned but weak individual from the North t.lIIng U.S. II
we would only yield the imu"diae point at issue, all
i'll be quiet aud that would be strengi heed
No: there question aIiatcd where The most
unyicIding opposition was necessary for success The
difference between him aud The Senator from Kentucky
was as wide the poles That gentleman WAS for con-
cesson, aud he utterly opposed to al" concessions in
any share or form; and for tins lie decidedly
opposed To his amendment 1t too late in the
day 90 into the subject farther, and he would conclude
by repeating, what he had so often said that while he
ready yield TO any modification going To The mere
phaseucGy, he would not agree, under any cIrcnm-
stance to surrender the prnc Pies on which they were
drawn.
Mr. Clay in reply to Alr Calhoun, observed, That the
Senator foi South Carolina seems highly delighted
with having gained point: whrh liz calls CONCESSION
on my part That is The immediate rejection Of all pc
lilinns touching abolition in the S!ales. But whoever
cnr!edrG that Congress WAS bound 10 entertain pelI
lions relating object manifest beyond the scope u"
its constitutional powers We have only insisted upon lis
Obligation 10 receive petitions hen Congress POSSESSES
power The power, being con!ro"ered Is Ii! subject
OF investigation. Whatever has been gained hy The Sc
ua:rr in respect Ia these, fear is more Than neutral!Z
ed y loss li slavcioidnn Init resi-, arising from the
hlnd!c which is made al al alleged denial ut the right
of -iilil ii uhirc. really be to diminish Tic mum
Der OF petitioners, sould present col atera nr false
issues IL The country We should never forge; that ii is
not here that should look for sauta!y effect lrom our
proceedings. but among The People.
But the Senator expresses his alarm nj The reception
Of petitions Why, Sir, what is there justly alarming
the fart of receiving petition: action. Congress
sirna! acton alone can Justify alarm The Senator thinks
NV resolutions make Concession. Oi what: The
RIGHT to abolish slavery in the States: No They dc.
mand instantaneous acon OF all such petitions as
being palpaby beyond the powers o! Congress; and
therefore not drha,catie. The right to abolish slave
r. il the District? No The strongest grounds (stinng
or than the Senator'S own rrs"utInn) are assumed
ugains, it, The right TO abolish it in the Territory Of
Florida: Il, All the considerations against it arc ar
rayed in fnTcb!e language The right to prohibit the
sale and removal of slaves from Stale to Stale: No
The constitutional power of Congress 10 do that Is de-
MED And il is remarkable that while my resolutions
DENY that power, his altogether silent about it.
What hcn. do my resolutions concedc: They admit
the ririt Of petition touching slavery in this District
Blu, before the Senator Justly denomna'c that
ccssion he ong, prove that there exists M such
right. That, think, he has lailet to do If, as |
think, the Constitution requires the Senate 10 re.
cevc such petitions, it is manifest that in obeying
its commands, and conforming 10 duty, the Senate
grants nothing comedies nothing. IL be the right
of the petitioners 10 present, and The duty OF the
Senate receive these petitions, il is manifest that by
refusing to receive Them Of complaint is given.
Now, have always found that the best way 10 ensure
respect 10 my own feelings aud rights from others, 10