Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-01-21

he thought Northern gentlemen were mistaken on tl
subject The Constitution provided tsat no "a" s"ou.'
he PASSED prohibiting the people from 10 Pc
-, e. = radress of grievances Now he was not DIS
nosed to interfere with this provision was u 'oi
tom of this right for Congress TO refuse 10 receive
tons on matter with regard TO winch :. hau nc
d;ctons Gentlemen all sides, with very ic" eS
csnt;ons admitted that Congress had no jurisdiction Oh
The subject and besides, had these Abolitonsts grew
onces to redress had they right to intermediate ane
netton for redress of grievances which they NIGH
suppose to exist in another part OF the mon! ne
rabt of pettion was consunmated, when the petitions
ers had assembled and made their petition, and they
had no right require Congress to grant their prayer
mr. TO prescribe its action IT, Mr.. g., after few re
marks expressed his regrets that the gentleman from
South Carolina (Alr. Thompson) had withdrawn his
notion for the previous question; and as lie believed
that further discussion would be injurious, he renewed
the motion, and reluctantly gave notice that he could
not withdraw IT.
Mr. GENTRY and several others, asked the gentle
man to Withdraw his motion for the previous question
and il would be considered great obligation conferred
Mr. CRABB said he was as DESTROYS as any gentle
man to speak that subject but inasmuch he
GREETED that the gentleman from South Carolina Mr.
Thompson, had withdrawn his motion for the previous
question: he thought the debate would take wide
range and be injurious: and he could not consent TO
withdraw it.
The House was then about being divided, to Gscer-
tain whether there second to the motion for the
previous question: and tcers having been called for,
Messrs GRIFFIN of South Carolina, and ANDREWS
of Kentucky were appointed such; who reported
that they wcre-ayes -, noes 81.
SO the previous question not seconded.
Mr.. GENTRY said, without regard to what effect 1t
would have upon him personally, he felt impeled by
proper of duty to state what his convictions were
as to the best for the House to pursue upon the
existing question before it. As Southern man, lie
pudiated the idea that this question which was
confined to or interested the South alone He consi-
dered that the whole Union was interested, inasmuch
any thing which went to overthrow or Affect the pc
culia institutions of one section, by ntracon OF the
compact would affect the whole Union, and the
mon cause of freedom itself 1t therefore should be
looked to with single eye to the most wise course
to be pursued to alay the excitement, and prevent
the dangers that mi ght accrue from the agitation of the
subject He concurred with the views of the gentle.
man from New York, (Mr. MonroeD that the battle
was al present to be fought in the North and he
thought it extremely improper for Southern gentlemen
TO place their friends from the North that floor in
position which untenablc at home, and which, he
believed favored the schemes of the Abolltionsts; that
il was their great object to prevent. The Abolition
lists, whose great principle of action is agitation, could
not be better pleased than by the passage of the resou
ton Of the gentleman from ). Carolina, (Nlr Thomp-
sony 1t would strengthen their ground by blending
their course with the great Constitutional right of pc
tton. 1t was by this species OF argument that they
had been enabled to maintain their stand in the North
thus far and the House should legslatc, to de-
prvc them of that argument to advance their
lie thought the Representatives from the South should
look at this question practically without passion and
Recommending meet it. and discuss ito receive the
pettons-rccr them to committee to be reported upon
such report show why it that the prayers the
petition could not be granted. He believed that such
report would have as beneficial effect in causing
this agitation to subsdc, the great Sunday mail re-
port in allaying the excitement it intended to
operate upon 1t from these considerations that
he was in favor Of the resolution offered few days
ago By gentleman from Louisiana, Mr. Chinnl who,
he was informed, was us much interested in having
this question settled any man upon that floor. He
believed that if they met the question frankly by
taking the suggested by him. their friends in
the North would successfully do battle there, and put
down those agitators lie trusted that the patriotism of
the North and the South would meet, and, through the
channel of committee make such report wonld
settle the matter definitely. He believed the best in
teresls of the South required the indicated by
him. and for that he would vote against the re-
solution of the gentleman from South Carolina, Mr.
Thompson,] in the hope that it would thereby enable
him to vote for the resolution of the gentleman from
Louisiana, mir. Chinn.l Mr. G. having concluded,
Mr.. COOPER, of Georgia, obtained the floor, and
on Lis n,otion he ITnusa adjourned