Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-04-03

MONT T
slavery in the District; that Congress are
their own Legislature: and the question
of slavery in the District is only between
them and their constituted Legislators; =
and they protest against all interference
of others. But sir, as if ashamed OF this
open position in favor oh slavery, they In
very coy manner say that some of them
are not Shareholders, and might be forbid
den by conscience to hold slaves. There
is more dictation, more political heresy,
more dangerous doctrine contained in this
petition, than I have ever before seen
couched together in SO many words. We
Congfess their own legislature in all that
concerns this District Let those who
may put on the city livery. and legislate
for them and not for his constituents, do
SO; for myself, came here with differ
ent view, and for different purposes. l
came free man, 10 represent the people
of Ohio; and | intend to leave this as such
representative, without wearing any other
livery. Why talk about Executive usur-
patton and influence over the members of
| Congress | have always viewed this
District influence as far more dangerous
than that of any other power. 1t has been
able to eXtort, yes, extcrt from Congress
millions to pay District debts, make Dis
trict improvements, and in support of the
civil and criminal Jurisprudence of the
District. Pray. sir, what right has Con-
gress to pay the corporate debts of the
cities in the District more than the debts
Of the corporate cities in your Stale and
mine2 None, sir. Yet this has been
done to vast amount and the next step
is, that we, who pay all this, shall not be
permitted to petition Congress on the SUBJ
lject of their Institutions for, if we can be
prevented in one case, we can in all pos
sible cases. Mark, sir. how plain tale
will silence these petitioners. If slavery
in the District concerns only the inhabit-
ants and Con gress, so do all municipal
regulations. Should they extend to grant
ing lottery, gaming-houses, tipping -hous-
es, and other places calculated 10 promote
and encourage vice-shoud Represent.
alive in Congress be instructed by his
constituents to use his influence, and vote
against such establishments, and the peo-
pie of the District should instruct him to
vote for them, which should he obey g.
10 state the question IS 10 answer it -
otherwise the boasted right of instruction
/ by the constituent body is mere sound,
slgnifying nothing. Sir, the inhabitants
| OF this District are subject to state legisIa.
ton and state policy; they cannot com
plain of this, for their condition is volun
tary; and as this city is the focus of pow
err, OF influence, and considered also a.
that of fashion, If not of folly, and as the
streams which flow from here irradiate The
whole country, it is right, it is proper
that it should be subject to state policy ane
state power, and not used as leato fer
ment and corrupt the whole bodyven polite
f The honorable Senator has said the pc
tition. though from a city, is fair ex
, preston of the opinion Of the District
AS such | treated it; am willing to &C
5 knowledge the responsibility of the p=ti
/ TONERS and their rights. and l claim 70
3 the people of my own state equal respect
7 ability and equal rights that the people @
D the District are entitled to; any peculia
A rights and advantages canno. admit.
: l agree with the Senator, that the ORC
:, ceedings on abolition petitions, heretofore
0 have not been the most wise and pruder
}, course. They ought to have been refer
e red and acted upon. Such was nv OF
e Ject, day or two since, when | laid O.
y your table resolution to refer them to
n committee for inquiry. You did not SUI
: fer it, sir, to be printed. The country an
y posterity will judge between the peopI
whom | represent, and those who cause
e TO be printed the petition from the city.
Y cannot be possible that justice can hav
: been done In both cases. The exclusiv
/ Legislation of Congress over the Disrie
: is as much the act the constituent bod,
+ as the general Legislation of Congress
4 over the states; and to the operation {
3 this act, have the people within the Dis
a trict submitted themselves. Icannot. how
f ever. join the Senator that the majority
0 IN refusing to receive and refer petition:
e did not intend to destroy or impair tn
# right in this particular. They certainl
have done so.
n Remainder merit ,ceekl