Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-01-10

any particular State; and that it is the
solemn duty of all, more ESPECIALLY of this
body which represents the States In their
sovereign character, to resist all attempts
to discriminate between the States; aud
that it would be unwise, unjust, and con-
trary to 1.-The Constitution, 10 annex any
new Territory, or State to this confedera-
cy, with view to the advantage of any
State, or its peculiar domestic Institutions !;
that such an attempt would be contrary to
that equality 81 rights which one object of
the Constitution was to secure alike to all
the States; and it done to favor the slave
holding States, for the purpose of giving
to these States a preponderance in this
government, would in effect, be to estab-
lish slavery in all the States.
Res0toed, That to regulate commerce
among the several States is an express
power granted by the Constitution to the
Congress of the United States. That, in
the exercise Of this power, Congress may
rightfulIy prohibit any article though
made property by the laws ola State, from
being used in such commerce, if the same
would be detrimental to the general well
fare.
ResOIOed. That Congress have possessed
the power since the year 1903 to prohibit
the importation of persons into any State
as articles of commerce or merchandise.
ResoIced, That the political condition
ofthe people within the District of Colun-
bia is subject to State regulation; and
that Congress, ia the exercise of its legis-
lative powers over the District, are bound
by the will oftheir constituents in the same
manner as when Iegislating for the people
of the United States generally.
Resotoed, That this government was
founded and has been sustained by the
force of public opinion, and that the free
and full exercise. of that opinion is abso-
luteIy necessary for its healthtul action
and that any system which will not bear
the test of public investigation is at war
with its fundamental princi pies and that
any proceedings on the part of those who
administer the Government of the United
States, or any of the States, or any citi-
zens thereof, which are intended or calcu-
lated to make disreputable the free and full
exercise of the thoughts and opinions Of
any potion of our citizens on any subject
connected with the political, moral, or re-
ligious institutions of our country, wheth-
er expressed by petitions to Congress, or
otherwise, by attaching to the character Of
such citizens odious and 1eproachful names
and epithets, strikes at the very foundation
of all our civil institutions, as we'll as our
personal safety poisons the very fountains
of public justice, and excites mobs and
other unlawful assemblies to deeds of vio-
lence and blood. That our only safety is
in tolerating error of opinion, while rea-
son is left free to combat it.
HoUsE.-Petition and memorials were
then presented and referred, and those re-
lating to slavery were laid on the table un,
der the rule.
Mr.. Adams presented some abolition
petitions, and accompanied them with the
following remarks, which he was suffered
to make without much interruption.
Mr.. Speaker AS l have declared, in
the face ofthis House and before this ma
ton, that consider the resolution lately
adopted by this House, which directs all
petitions on the sub ect of slavery, etc. to
be laid on the table without debate or
consideration, or ANY action whatever, as
unconstitutional, and, therefore, null and
void; | hold myself as not bound by it, in
any other manner than am bound to sub
NIT to mere force. now state, therefore
that feel myself entitled to all the rights
and privileges as member of this House
which | possessed before the adoption O.
that rule and claim the right to move
that each petition on the subject of slave
ry, be referred to an appropriate commit
tee. | shall not however, make that mo
ton now, because l have in my possess
ion petition which | shall hereafter pre-
sent, after due notice, for resembling tina
resolution. That Petition, | am happy
to say, is from large number of highl!
respectable citizens of Philadel phia, and
demands of this House the respect of tina
rule. also give notice that when | otfe
that petition, shall accompany it with
resolution for reconsidering that nfamou
Resolution In the mean time, these peti
tons, which l now present, may be lai
on the table, but not in conformity witt
the rule of the House, because | conside
it as utterly unconstitutional & oppressive
Mr.. Tillinghast presented some memo
rails and resolutions relative to the annex
alton of Texas, and proceeded to max
some remarks thereon but the Chair sta
ed that if the petitions gave rise'to debate
they must lie over one day, when the
would be called up. The papers wer
then ordered to be printed.