Richmond palladium., 1839-04-06

zcns with improper motives, or dangerous de-
signs. That their acts are lawful, he does not
deny. i call for proof 10 sustain his charges
None such has been offered, and none such ex-
lists, or can be found. repei them as calumnies
doub!e-dlsiilled in the alenbi: OF slavery. de-
ny them, also, in the particulars and inferenccs
and let upon what they rest, or by what
process of reasoning t.iey sustained.
The very first view Of these petitioners a
gainst or right NJ petition, strikes the mind
that more is iu.sndcd taaE at first meets the eye.
Why was the committee 90 the District over
looked in this case, and the Senator from Ken
turky made the organ of communication? l. it
understood that anii-4tnlitionism IS passport 10
popular favor, and that the action OF this Dis
trict shall present for that favor TO The public a
gentleman upun this hnbby? H. this Tetiton
presented subject of fair legislation! Wa
it solicited by members OF Congress. from Cit
zens here. fpr political effect? LIE, the country
ndCo. Tho petitioners state that no persons
sut themselves are authorized 10 interfere with
slavery in the District; ,ha, Congress are their
own Legislature; and The question oil slavery IN
the Dis rict is only between them and their con-
s,itutional legislators; and they protest against
all Interference of others. Bat, sir, as 1t asharn-
cd of this open position In favor o slavery, they
in very GOV manner say that some ot them
are not shareholders, and might be forbidden by
conscience 10 hold slaves. There Is more dicta-
tion, more political hcresy, more dangerous doc
trine contained in this petition, than have ever
before seen couched together IN so many words
We! Congress their own legislator IN all that
concerns this District! Let those who may put
on the city iverv and legi.iatc for them and not
his constituents, do so for myself. caTne here
with different view, and for different purposes.
came free man. to represent ths people OF
Ohio: and intend to leave this such repre-
sentative, without wearing any other livery
Why talk about Executive u.urpation and influ-
- aft haVa
always viewed this District influence as far
moro dangerous than that of any other power
Ii has been able To extort, yes, extort from Con-
press millions to pay District debts, make District
improvements, and in support Of the civil and
criminal jurisprudence of the District. Pray,
sir, what right has Congress to pay tho corpor-
ate debts Of the cities in the District more than
the debts Of the corporate cities in yonr state
and mine? None, sir, Yet this has been done
to q vast amount; and the next step Is, that we,
who pay all this, shall not be permitted to Petl-
ton Congress the subjec Of their institutions;
for, il we can be prevented in one case, we can
in all possible cases. Mark, sir, how plain
tale will silence these petitioners. 1t slavery
in tho District concerns only the inhabitants and
Congress, do all municipal regulations
Should they extend to granting lottery, gaming
houses, tipping houses, and other places calcuia-
tod to promote and encourage vice-should
Representative in Congress be instructed by his
gainst such establishments, and the people OF
tho Ds;ric. should instruct him to vote for them,
which should he obey! To state the question Is
to answer it; otherwise the boasted right OF IN /
struc.ion by the constituent body is smere sound,
siguifying nothing. Sir, the inhabitants OF this
District are subject to State legislation ond
State policy; they cannot complain of this tor
their condition is voluntary; and as this city is
the focus Of power, of influence, and considered
also as that Of fashion, if not Of folly, and as the
streams which flow from here rradiate the whole !
country il is right, 1t proper, that II should DC
subject to State policy and State power, and not
used as leaven to fermcnt and corrupt the whole
body polite.
The honorable Senator has said the petition,
though from city, is a fair expression of the O.
pinion Of the District. As such l treated II, am
willing to acknowledge the responsibility OF the
petitioners and their rights, and claim for the
pooplo of my own State equal responsibility and
equal rights that the people of the District arc
entitled to any pecuIia. rights and advantages
cannot admit.
agree with the Senator, that the procceed- !
ings on abolition petitions, heretofore, have not
been the most wise and prudent course. They |
ought to have been referred and acted upon |
Such was my object, day or two since, when
laid on your table a resolution to refer them to a
committee for inquiry. You did not suffer il, !
sir, to be printed. Tho country and posterty !
will iudge between the people whom represent.
and those who caused to be- printed the petition |
from tho city 1t cannotbe possible that justice can
have beea done in both cases. The exclusive
Legislation of Congress over tho District IS as
much tho act Of the constituent body, as the
general legislation Of Congress over the States:
and to the operation of this act have the people .
within the District submitted themseves.I cannot
how ever Join the Senator, that the majority, In
refusing to receive and refer petitions, did not
intend to destroy impair Ahe right in this par
ticular Ther certainly have done
The Senator admits that the Abolitionists are
now tcrminnbIe; that sonnet ething must be done to
produce harmony. Yes, sir, do justice and har
mony will be restored. Ac. mpariially, that
Justice may be done; hear petitions on both sides,
if they nre offered, and give righteous Judgments
and your people will be satisfied. You cannot .
conquer them by rebuke, nor deceive them by
sophistry. Remember you cannot now turn pub
lie opinion, nor you overthrow IT. You I
must, and you will. abandon the high ground
you have taken, and receive petitions The rea-
son Of the case, the argument, and the judgment /
Of the people, all against vou- One IN this
cause can cause thousand and the voice of
Justice will be heard whenever YOU agitate the .
subject In Indiana. the righ, of petition has
been most nobly advocated in protest, By
member, against punv resolutions of the
legislature of that State TO whitewash slavery.
Permit mo to read paragraph, worthy of an A
nerican freeman: