Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-01-20
VOLUME xXXHV...-No. Is.

end as The journal most fully proves. If The Senator
had not interrupted me, he would have had no occa-
sion TO compaln or 10 correct me, for was about to
notice what | am Of, that the proposed course
| OF the member 10 meet the petitioners at the
door, shut it in their faces, turn them down stairs
aud bid them BECOME; and That he urged the Senate
to sustain that view of the naer In that know there
was failure; but in his general object, though attained
by different mems, he did fully succeed He and his
friends did erect barrier high he could desire-a
barrier insurmounlabIe to the petitioners, and efeclual
to stop agitation and debate in this chamber and the
srnntion Of PETITIONS could be, short of penal liza
bies. Discussion died with this arbitrary rule, be-
cause the Senate yielded obedience 10 it, IF any thing
n much importance had since been sad il had escaped
my observation. | therefore repeat that the object OF
the Senator had been altane the petitioners have been
driven AWAY without hearing; answer to their pray
"r has been made Ito, not much 10 say they were
in error What, would ASK could the Senator do be-
The Senator from Virginia w. XXI kves said Yes yesterday
that the Suites Gould take care Of themselves, if the
channel through this Government closed up he
feared nothing from the abulilionists in their terri
tory Did not the Senate close this channel most eli
trctuhy: Is it mol choked Ia the top that nothing
reach the Senate? What higher or stronger barrier
can be madr' There is hut that be ctfec.
tua and That is, 10 make n law Of Congress- consisting
OF pains and penalties. Make it felony punishable by
Imprisonment in the peniicnliary for any petition
for the abolition Of slavery in this District. II there be
right 10 petItIon and The petitioners vioators
Vi the Constitution dslurbcrs OF the public peace, cri
Salety 81 Union, lNcn
such law will be both constitutional and cxpedent.
Let il be brought forward, Tor it will the principles
advocated and put members TO vote upon Responsible
~ beyond mere expression OF opinion Send such OF
tenders against the public peace and pubic justice 10 M
Judicial tribunals, il such is The OF Congress- TO
receive the reward oil their merits This would bear the
camp Of consistency. II The doctrines which tend To
,uch results sound then let them 90 forth in form
that shall be understood aud felt Let those who de-
nand relief take the remedy itarlessly into their hands,
lpif The icy nj The
right vi petition. This would be more manly than To
lsate The Public with threats. II would fence the Peo
pie out from the Capitol, and separate them from their
own Government. 1t would consign offenders TO infa
my for preSumpuousy daring TO approach these halls
Ia make humble request The Senator has not propos.
I'd 10 go this length; and although lie was quite right
suylrg he was III minority, y0t II IL obvious that he
-titcled his -ct. Petitions continued 10 come
aere but to what end: Neither 10 be read, heard,
received. Not one has since 10 the possession Of
he Senate TO be in order for its action; nor, under
kissing practice, could TO spossrssion.
In this state Of things why we appealed TO ioy new
measures, which can do no more than accomplish the
anne thing, il they do much, Why does the Sena-
from Carolina, when solicitous to exclude from
these halls the petitions he has steadastIy main
ained that Congress has right 10 debate act the
utject-why does he voluntarily introduce II here =
:, subject delicate Oga,e: which, it is said,
ought not TO discuss and iuve right to consider
Why then is discussion invited? Why is examination
provoked? Why is controversy challenged:
For myself, said Mr.. u have been disposed 10 res
pec the ayowed feelings Of Southern Senators; and
hey seemed ~ deprecale discussion calamity,
avoided it, leaving ii in the hands OF the mover
,nd those Interested had purpose of changing my
till thai Senator: yesterday threw down lhe glove,
chac nged discussion terms which almost made
dsonoabe TO iurbear This challenge, and this alone,
has induced TO rise, for had resolved that The Sena.
should be left free TO act upon The majority, which
goes with him, with whatever power he might, while he
dhered 10 abolition, although my own constituents have
n me
not because Of their effect upon the abolonists but be-
cause they embrace other matters of high moment and
of objectionable character would have taken the ha.
card Of dsegading these calls upon me- but could not
BE- silent under the challenge OF the Senator.
The Senator says we can bring no objection against
his resolutions while we vote against them Inerrng
from silence that we vote in blind and senseless
manner deem his inference, from his premises, wh0!-
y unwarraned for the larger portion Of The votes we
i've are recorded without Offering The 10 the
senate upon which they rest But have many objec-
lions these resolutions than shall find physl-
cal ability express, and the strongest OF those obc-
;!0ns are 10 their political character.
They are called for, not efficient tharieF
measures now in force anu can do no good They are,
is has been well said, "a part of hen at leastO mere
distractions avowais Of abstract doctrines no way de
msudrd by the occasion. They embrace matters having
no connection with abolition, and call upon US TO commit
ourselves Interpretation of the Constitution when
there emergency arising IN the course OF our PM
lie duty requiring 10 give Interpretation to that nslru'
public Judgment and such works OF snpererogation are
hest let alone Any and all these most am
pie Justification for voting against even that Whlch mag
acc 10 be right in the abstract; Tor would give no
countenunce making creed OF auowas Tor politicians,
aud to The publication by the Senate Of abstract opinions,
merely because they may contain apparent lruisms-
They ought also useful and put forth for some use
ful public purpose The Senate would be- ioollshly cm-
pIoyed to resolve that two added to two make ioar
But sir the leading urged Tor dspnsng Of HE
vh
pic dslurbS the public harmony aud endanyers The
Union. quite disposed to respect all such Tears
and apprehcnsious when Urged with robustness, to s'
len TO public sentiment and 10 yield much to public judy
men and, sir am happy 10 perceive that the thought
nnw and then flashes across the minds OF gentlemen
that there are two ends TO this Union, both OF which
should fall under the projection and palernal regard "
this Government. We are the representatives, OF the
whole and our affections and watchinness should be
commensurate with the whole. Iii our duty to see That
the hole Republic is safe All Interests must be regard
ed all rights must be protected We must look 10 puhc
sentiment throughout No interest," because Is great
powerlu should he permitted 10 absorb all pubic atten
lion or TO cause disregard Of those Of less Importance
All must be nourishcd all respected the rights oil all 81
adjusted and arnonIzed by spirit OF compromise and
cancellation to all just cause OF dsconent-
This is the way to preserve the Union. And yet iron,
the course of argument, here, is sometimes doubtful
whether more than end Of the Union Is thought OIL
when all vigilance anxiety, and ai1ectlon demand
ed for that end alunc. The resolutions before US pro-
pose for the genera! harmony but 10 give
certain nerpuations The Constitution favorable 10
the slave interest This is TO avoid the dissolution OF
the Union cannot see how the end is to be reached
by the means and therefore constrained TO come I"
the conclusion that matters other than abolition are wrap
ped up in these resolutions.
Who is mos, likely to be discontinued and 10 disturb
public harmony-those that hold The direction OF PolIti'
cal power those who have power except The force
Of argument?
regard to the history OF public policy You have Pfota
bly, for the last 30 years been witness and parcpa'or
in what has occurred here, and your memory can go
much beyond that You know what mas oee nj .he InO'
and whn kind of reputation those have acquired who
have been suspected only oagt.ting this alarming topic
How stands the Hartford Convention in public eslima.
md ernbI If n,en of