The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-13
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
"WEDNESDAY, Dec. IL, 1888
ABOLITION.

ABOLITION.
The House resumed the consideration OF the re-
solutions yesterday offered by Mr. ATHERTON,
concerning the disposition of Abolition Petit ions.
The second resolution was read as follows:
Resolped, That the petitions for the abolition Of
slavery in the District of Columbia and the Terri
tories Of the United States and against the removal
of slaves from State To another are part 81 the
plan Of operations set foot 10 affect the institution
OF slavery in The several States and thus indirectly
| to destroy that institution within Their limits
Mr. E,ofPennsylvan rose and very reluc-
family he said asked TO be excused from voting on
this resolution. He did not rise TO try how many
hot words he could throw out before he was stopped
by the Speaker He regarded the subject too solemn
for such riaing. He wished 10 stale the situation
in which he was placed in regard 10 this subject.
He felt that he ought not TO be exposed TO the odous
misrepresentation which IL was the purpose OF the
friends Of this resolution 10 make OF his course.
During the late canvass in Pennsylvania, he had
stated explicitly to his constituents that, In his
opinion The interference of Congress with slavery
in the District Of Columbia, was inexPedient and un-
The SPEAKER arrested Mr.. BIS remarks and
the question was taken on the second resolution
which was adopted: Yeas l36, nays 65.
Mr. WISE, when his name was called, refused to
vote "a.
The third resolution was read as follows
Resolped, That Congress has no right TO do that
indirectly which il cannot do drecty and that the
agitation of the subject of slavery In the District OF
q
view Of disturbing or overthrowing that institu-
ton in the several States, is against the true spirit
and meaning OF the Constitution an infringement OF
the rights OF The States affected and breach OF the
public faith on which they entered into the COME
deracy
Mr. WADDY THOMPSON asked to be ex-
cused from voting for this proposition. Refused
The third resolution was divided, so as TO take the
question first the first clause, viz: hat Con
gress has not the power TO do indirectly what it can
not do directly"
The question being taken, this was decided in the
affirmative Yeas l73, Nays 30.
| Mr. ADAMS being first called, answered no the
Constitution does not embrace any such proposition
| Cloud laughter)
The remaining clause OF the resolution agreed
| to. Yeas 1884, Nays 80.
The first branch of the fourth resolution was
agreed to. Yeas $50, Nays o.
The second branch was agreed TO- Yeas l54, Nays
Mr. KENNEDY, in voting for the resolution,
protested against its grammar.
The fifth resolution was then read as follows:
Resoired therefore, That all attempts the part Of
Congress TO abolish slavery in the District OF Columbia
or the Territories prohibit the removal Of slaves
from State to State discriminate between the nsti
tuons Of portion Of the country and another with
the aore said, violation Of the Constitution,
destructive Of the fundamental principles on which the
Union Of these States rests, and beyond the jurisdiction
of Congress and that every petition, memorial, resou-
way or to any whatever, TO slavery AS aforesaid
or the abolition thereof shall the presentation there
Of without any further action thereon, be laid the
table without being debated, printed or referred.
The first branch of this resolution was agreed TO-
! yeas lag, nays 63.
Mr.. POTTS moved to lay the latter branch of the
proposition on the table LOST yeas 65, nays l29.
The question being on the adoption Of this branch
/ of the resolution; ..
| Mr.. POPE Of KY. asked to be excused from vot,
ing, the ground that the proposition was incon-
sisent with the other portions of the resolutions for
which he had voted He had voted that Congress
had jari-de,irn the subject and would there
fore be compelled TO vote against the reception of
titions for abolition The House refused to excuse
! him.
Mr.. CHAMBERS, Of KY. asked 10 be excused
He was opposed he said The reception of abolition
| petitions Refused .,' 4,
The last branch of the Resolution was agreed TO-
yeas i26, nays 70.
| Mr.. KENNEDY asked leave to offer I.seuion
as a substitute for the 4th resolution, and merely al
tering its phraseology. Objections were made and
| The House adjourned.