The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-22

/ not 10 order TO refer TO that subject
will not refer 10 it but will say that although u
may be perfectly legitimate in the abstract 70 hold ma
lional relations with Hayti foreign independent
power yet you have said that what may IN ITSELF De per-
fecilyslegiimate II It Is urged means 70 an ui.efof
purpose which is unconstitutional ceases 10 DC sei con-
sttutiona ! argue from the resolution you nave ie-
Gently adopted and contend that on the same princi.
pie you may as well reject this memorial, as you would
memorial prayipQ for abolition because its Interior
object is Unconstitutional aad illegal. You have re-
ceiyed and laid all such petitions on the table. 20
further and insist that this memorial shall be recev
ed.
And now, as to the right OF petition. The gentle
man from Massachusetts and myself shall not differ in
the abstract. admit freely as he does the right OF
petition but insist that the petition must be for some
thing, to do which power exists IN the Government
The petition must ask the Government to do only what
may constluonally do. Il is vain and idle to contend
that the people have tight to petition for that which
the Government has no power to grant. The question
then resolves itself into OF the power Of Govern
ment II the object Of the prayer is that Government
will aid in incendiary schemes, that IL will attempt
the abolition Of slavery, contend that 1t Is vain TO
pretend It ought to be received because the Govern
ment cannot do what is asked,
The Chair again reminded Mr.. Wise that he out
Of order in referring to the abolition Of slavery
Mr. WISE, Ny argument is, that you cannot re-
ceive this memorial because its uerior object is not
constitutional Can there be stronger argument!
will read petition aud If from is that il
is for what cannot do, will return unexpectedly, if
it is couched in respectful language if il is insulting to
Southern Representatives will return il insultingly
Indignantly This is the OF every in private
life We are the Representatives Of delegated and
limited Government; and, when we are asked to do
thing, first 10 look into Charter and see
whether power has been given US TO do IT, Am to be
told that this is not legitimate reasoning The right OF
petition is not absolute and unconditional, the gen.
tleman suppose il is molfed-nodlhed by
the CONSTITUTE modified by the state OF things In
particular part Of the country-modIfed by the mutual
relations of the States -modifed by the peculiar
dition of our Southern people The gentleman from
Massachusetts goes the ground that the right is in
herent absolute unconditional unrestricted, umodlhed
in any way, as If there nothing to limit It either
in theory in practice. Why, let ask the gentle
man from Massachusetts,, why shall all that is infam-
mable be thus continually kindled into fame by petit
tons asking for vain things Even the common law
requires that shall be compelled to do vain
thing. Shall il, then, be required of the gentleman
from Massachusetts, to do vain thing 10 pour in
petitions upon this House praying Congress to do what
Congress has right to dol The whole question is
| question Of power. The main argument which we
oppose the reception Of petitions on the subject Of
abolition is the want Of power n Congress to abolish
| slavery in the District z"
| The CHAIR reminded Mr.. w. that all petitions on
the subject were at once laid the table The present
petition had relation to the recognition of Hayt; and
| there nothing in its terms which would warrant
discussion touching the abolition Of slavery.
| Mr.. WISE read the whole.
The CHAIR. True but all which relates 10 aboli-
ton has been lsid the table. 1t is only much
relates to Hayti which is now before The House. You
cannot discuss the right Of abolition this memorial
/ Mr.. WISE. ! am demonstrating that petitions OF
this kind within the spirit Of petitions for aboli
ton; they arc part and pa reel Of abolition.
| The CHAIR. There is nothing in the terms Of the
memorial on the subject of abolition and YOU may not
on that ground, evade rule Of the House.
| Mr.. WIsE. The gentleman says that my argument
against the reception of this memorial Is that il
amounts to amalgamation and he inquiries OF me whe
State Of Virginia? fMr W. here sank his voice so
as scarcely to be heard] He was understood to say,
will not regard this question, coming from him. as
personal insult on myself and upon my Stale; but
mia. Her laws her morals her policy, and her peo-
pe all forbid abhor detest it, They will war against
it here. And when the rampant Of the Constitution
fails 10 be defence, they will change the field of
battle 10 their own soil, and use other weapons than
words. The subject is far too serious for retorl
taun So far as the gentleman meant to alludc TO
another species of amalgamation, which he consider
ed as reProach to my people, let me tell him that
1t Is not VirgnanS alone, shareholders alone, who
are concerned in it. mr. W. here again dropped
into SO low key as to be inaudble though appear.
ing to speak with very great earnestness and pointed
applicaiion.] | believe with the gentleman from
Massachusetts, that might appeal e saBee and
perhaps the Representatives OF s!aVeholders would
suffer in comparison with their northern brethren.
| wondered, while the gentleman was on this topic,
that he had not appealed 10 the Great Crossings in
Kentucky. A laugh
The CHAIR called Mr. WISE to order
Mr.. WISE. | am upon amalgamation. [ laugh
The gentleman tells us we have commercial inter-
course with land of slaves He ailudes, suppose,
to the slave trade. The gentleman from Massachu-
knows full we'll that he does hot argue fairly
when he sly les the slave-trade commercial rela-
tons"
The CuuR iDteIDosed .a...
Mr. WISE. The gentleman from Massachusetts,
spoke of it,
The CHAIR Yes; but the CHAIR called him to
order 1t is not in order to debate any subject reat-
ing TO slavery.
| MIR WISE Well, sir. The gentleman said that
the prayer of these petitioners was legitimate, and
might be granted, because 1t was necessary TO esa-
blish commercial relations with Hayi twas wrong
to refuse relations with land of freemen which we
permitted with land Of slaves. reply, that the
Government has set its face against what he calls
commercial relations with the African States 1t does
not recognize that trade as lawful commercial re-
laon; but all the States, slaveholding and non
slaveholding have pronounced il piracy. As to com
mercal relations with Hayti, we can conduct them
as they have been conducted heretoores There is
no need OF recognizing Government OF insurrec-
tionsts nation of slaves, who rose and cut their
masters throas, for the sake of establishing new
| commercial relations with them. We are told OF the
spoliaions by Chrsophe and that no repatriation VIII
BE- made till we recognize the black Republic. Sir,
there national remedies other than recognition.
There is such thing as war. We can, ii necessary,
compel this Indemnity. There is no necessity for a
recognition which is at open with the interests
and feelings of portion of our own people The
amount Of these claims cannot be very great The
seizure of private property; III fair subject
for letters OF marque and reprisal.
The gentleman tells us that agent was arrested
at the threshold Tor want of regular commission.
Yes, sir and shall the South for paltry sum due
for seizures ay, for sum equal 10 the whole value
Of Hayt and of the United States to boot, be com
PEELED to yield those great considerations which are
L LAT IL