Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1839-05-07
TIE RIGHT OF PETITION.

The National Intelligence Of Tuesday Last contains
a long letter from John Quincy Adams, addressed to
his fellow citizens Of the United States, whose Petitions,
Mrmor,a,s &c were presented by him TO Congress at
the last session. which Is an able argument ~ avor OF
The position he has always taken respecting ihs ght
ietser.~
l. by the gsg resolution To lay on the table without
resdiag the rule has been construed by the Speak
r printing other action OF the fiouse
all petitions memorials, resolutions, propositions, or pa
pers, touching or relating to slavery or ,,e aoo'ion
set,of 2 By the practice Of laying on the table IN
de same way without reading hearing by separate
motions minority members all petitions aud papers
which, though having relation to those topics, may
vet, in the opinion Of the majority, have an indirect
hearing upon them BY the other practice OF refer
ing petitions still more remote IN their bearing upon
slavery (such, for example, as the recognition Of ine
RenuLlic of layn 10 committed which will not report
anon them nor lock into them; a. by The sys-
,rmaiic dminu,ion Of the days upon which peut'ons
can be presented, which, al the recent session. vas re-
duced down 10 tree the whole session, your right OF
pet,on TO the House OF Representatives. OF the uned
States. and that OF the whole people OF tins Union, may
be conside red - all but annihiiated
incline rather 20 consider u, 10 use an expression
f.milaf Ia the lawyers, IA abesaRfe cannot bring
ysef 10 believe that the people OF this Union will Iona
endure the abridg~snt Of this right, ana De ."'a .nas
though Congress cannot do u by iaw, yet me House
can % /, by its rules OF procecdng that their right
il no, abridged because their Petitions though neither
read heard, nor considered, are yet RECEIVED mos
a.i,.xe that House OF Representatives. more obseryan'
OF the Constitution which its members are sworn te
support true TO that sacred rshi oil me people
hat read hear aud consider their petitions, whether re
Iatiay 10 slavery tine abolition of slavery or any othe
,nhct Of great interest the community or To The IN
Syidual prayine for relief believe H. because IN M
judgement, Of the inevitable alternative Is that the day
of this Union aud of this nation, as nee people, arr
numbered and w'u soon pass away i'ke se,oi.
But fellow citizens, you will not understand me a
affirming that this duty Of the House 10 receive Tear
and respectful petitions involves neeessa
rly that OF complying wsh their demands sinetr
and earnest desire grant your requests dnty in
The Representative "a the constituent but 10 that whie
Won desire others equally his fellow ciizens, may b
equally OF more iaisnsey adsersf aud he duty Of IN
slstnf AZ 10 hold the scale Of justice IN even bsianc
between YOU and consulting The Wishes OF an whe
thev are ireconciabe together, to grant or deny you
prayer justice, the Constitution and prudence ma
require.
IN il known 10 most OF you that al the late session
Congress, repeated declaration which hAe iequsn
IN made besare, that myself not prepared 10 so
fut the immediate abolition Of slavery 20 the dsinei
Coiumhis nor in the Territory OF Florida nor iof u
refusal 10 adah that Territory as ssaseholdng sias
into the Unon, These all prayers OF uin iil"S'
Of your psii,ions which had presented. My opinic
os,hs.a hs4 nsgef aired since frat took my seat
,hr house n Representatives., but from the zeal whIs
j hst taforr'y manifested in support Of The right
usttloa and from the perseverance, with which ! pc
s1iea II prtsantag abolition peiilons, niereaces h
tssn 8a 80 h 18th divisions Of the Unon, only IA
,yas cousfsc ID aboioast, sat tba, was shsctii
10 place nsvrsG a the hrad Of the sboOn movemeu
i,Ii.sF sgus tbs Had Having no such smb,tion, Al
"a aaNE afasd All Appearances OF tamP~fng beiwe
The PAfise, haze made the above me ntonsd deela'
lion bot had nsiher then any other time, 50
abe opPoFinniy Of assigning my Ffasohf iof le eP
sas whleh entertain upon ihese subjects 1his p
pase 10 DO ~ smother letter 20 yoa and In The me
line reea,in with grateful aud frspeeta uiGzichns
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS