Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1838-12-28
Corre.pondence Of tho A,la..
WAsmINoToN. Dec. l4, ls

petition praying ior the aboltlon OF slavery
in The District OF Columbia, presented BY
Mr. Calhoun.
The Speaker said the question Of recep
ton could not be raised under the late or.
der of the House, directing that all memor-
ais petitions, &c relating to Slavery. should,
on presentation, be laid on the table.
MIR Wise said he wished 10 know whether
the Resolutions which had Just been adopt
ed by The House, recognized the reception OF
petitions on Abolition. He now appealed
from the decision Of the Chair. declaring
that the questions OF reception could not BE-
demanded, and asked for the ayes and nays,
far the purpose. no doubt, Of showing where
the Southern supporters Of the concerted
resolutions would stand. in reference TO the
right OF the House to receive such petitions,
He wished to know whether they regarded
the presentation in the light of reception; and
| il that was the construction. he wished the
South to understand it, Though he made
the appeal, he himself believed the Speaker
TO be in the right. He believed,he question
Of reception could not be demanded under
the late order ofthe House; and the position
to which the South had been brought blythe
votes Of Southern men. was position in
which the South could no, be heard on this
momen,ous and agiiatiog subject. In this,
he exclaimed. the precious boon we have
gained from Northern party. with South
EN- principles lf,his be the bargain to
recognize the reception Of Abolition petit
tons, then, he declared. the compact was
nothing better than Abolition ITSELF
The Speaker interrupted Mr. Wise remin.
ding him that he mus, con6ne himself strict.
! ~ Il the question ofthe Appeal.
Sir" replied Wise II am defending
your decision. maintain that before the
petition can be laid on the table. ii must be
taken in hand by the House. The great
pont for which we have contended, the
right 10 objec, 10 the reception. has been a
bandoned by the action OF the House and
the Emanoipator. may now raise The black
flag, and cry Victory 10 Aboli,ionisn, p
Mr. Rires. Of Virginia, o-Foco) then
rose, and begana rambling, poinlless speech.
in.which he was speedily interrupted by the
SPEAKER.
Mr. Piekens now rose. and in his custo.
mTy vehement tone. maintained that there
WIS wide difference between the resolu.
tins offered by Aiher,on and any which
hid ever before been adopted by the House.
hey did mol recognise tie reception of the
piitions; and, he declared he nerer trouid
hire gicen has roie for them If they had i'm.
! fied any such recognition He would
nver yield the right 10 raise the question oil
reception. He however, admitted, that he
was not disposed 10 be so tenacious in re.
gard TO resolutions offered by a Northern
nan, as he would be in relation 10 then,
presented by member from the South, las
Mr. Pmekney was.
The question being about TO be put on sus.
timing the decision of The Chair, Mr. Wise
asked " Is the petition received under the
oders Of the House. according to the con-
slruction of the Speaker ?"
The Speaker. 1.-The Chair decides ,ha,
the preliminary question shall the petition
be received cannot be raised"
Mr. WISE. when can the preliminary
question be demanded 2"
The Speaker. The Chair will decide
when the point arises"
Sir, exclaimed Mr. Wise, 1T can never
arise. The petitions are received. That
is The point TO which we have come"
When the Clerk called the name of MIR
Adams. that gentleman rose. and began TO
speak with remarkable animation. "The
resolution of the gentleman from New
Hampshire" said he "are-
The Speaker here interrupted him by de.
claring that he mus, answer AYE" or
"nay."
No sir" rejoined Mr. Adams, IL refuse
10 vote, because
Order orderl" shouted The Speaker
The gentleman must take his seat" "Or.
der order ~ resounded on all sides.
Because continued Mr. Adams, raising
ms voice 10 the highest pitch and geslicu.
latlng with the greatest energy, II consider
me tohote proceeding Of The House in This
matter DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE Con.
sTITUTIoN OF THE UNITED STATES
While he was uttering these words, the
last OF which were given with immense en-
paasls the noise and confusion in the Hall
were absolutely tempestuous Roars Of or
der order + came from all sides. .Chairl
CHAIR + shouted some while the greatest
number laughed loud and heartily at the
spectacle. As for the Speaker, he continu.
ed TO bawl with all his might, and ran with
his hummer on his desk. But Mr. Adams
would speak his mind. When he sat down.
the Speaker who had risen in his efforts to
arres, him. cried out. "The Chair appeals to
the House OF Representatives to enforce its
authority"
Gen Thompson, Of South Carolina, in.
stanlly rose, and said. II will assist the
Chair, il am told how can do it,"
1.-The gentleman from South Carolina is
out oforder !" sharply replied the Speaker
who saw Thompson was quizzing him. and
that the House was enjoying the fun.