Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-02-20
sen At T.

| WAsnIyGros Feb. 13.-The time of the Senate to-
day was consumed by single Abolition petition, sign
ed by single Abctcnist and introduced h. Mr.. Clay
of Kentucky. Mr.. Clay extremely d'sirous to
have il referred and tremendous report male against
it, by grave committee Of nti-Abolition Senators.
He thought if they would, by deeply reasoned report,
persuade the Abotonists that the Constitution rccog
Missed slavery in several States of the LnoI and did
moi confer any power on Congress TO increp with the
separate right and domestic institutions Of rse States,
that they would TO agatc the subject. Mr.. Clay
probably forgot that Congress had again andagan
planned this sub Jet in reports that million of speech
es (anong hcs his OWN Of the purporthad been
circulated; and that as long as Congress entertained
the petitions instead of rejecting them the cry was,
still hey come. The Senate then took summary way
of rejecting them, by refusing 10 entertain them, and
thenceforward the harassmcnt Of the Senate and the
| interruption of the legitimate business of the body
ceased.
What contrast does the course Of the Senator of
| Ohio, Mr. Tappan, make with that of The Senator
from Kentucky Mr.. Tappan charged with a
roll Of these petitions, praying for redress of that
| which he knew grievance OF theirs and which
he and the petitioners knew that Congress had pow
er, under the Constitution, to remove he simply made
known the fact to the body, and giving his
for refusing to become the instrument OF truing upon
the body the lncendary attacks upon the charter BY
which il existed Senate lett it to take its
upon the subject lfevery member would refuse to
tenance assaults made upon the constitutional rights
secured by the compact among the States there would
be end of them. The prompt rejection of Pc
ttions, the equivalent measure adopted by the Sc
nate, cannot be construed Justly into nraction of
the provision Of the Constitution which says law
shall be made Prercnng lie people from poaceabiy as
sending md pctioning toT redress or gricrances-
No party in Congress has any thought of passing such
law There is design the part of those opposed
TO the aboltlonss, TO petition Congress to redress their
grievances by interfering with the rights Of the Abo-
tonists, and passing law TO prohibit them from meet
ing peaceably, and pelitionng for immediate abol-
ton of slavery. All that the South asks is the instant
rejection of them refusal The part of Congress to
lend an ear to unconstitutional applications.
Mr.. Calhoun, in replying to Senator, who wished
to give MIR. Cays petitioner hearing, insisting that
refusal tantanount 10 violation of the right of
petition inquired whether he would present petition
grossly insulting TO the Senate. The Senator said he
would not, because it necessary in selfdcence 10
refuse to receive such petitions. lie then asked if
the defence Of the Constitution important
the defence OF the Senatcs dignity; whether the pre-
scrvation Of religious rights not of much
moment; and whether the Senator would introduce a
petition TO destroy, BY act of Congress- the Christian
religion; The Conservative Bank Wing Senator, who
would protect his own dignity, by refusing present
petition insulting TO himself after some hesitation,
said he would not refuse to present such petition.
The whole days session occupied with this idle
theme, introduced by Mr. Clay of Kentucky.
Our readers will remember that Henry Clay started
the Abolition debate in the Senate two years ago. which
by pretending TO inquire of Senators from onslave
holding States, aehecr abolition had not increased
under mode of treating their petit:ons9" Now,
when is applications 10 the Senate have almost ceased,
he rises this morning, and presents petition from a
single iadic;daal-a Quaker, he calls hn,-and takes
occasion 10 hang speech upon it, He thus gets up 4
debate upon the right of petition-adcd by Nessrs.
Tamadge and Webster-to make the Abolitionsts
dersand, the fact is that they he Fcds) are more
friendly to Abolition views and opinions than the De-
mocratic party. Thus are they endeavoring to help
Harrison.
Mr.. Clay was, in the first case, fighting for himself
captaingenera of the Wing party: he takes bis
place in the ranks private soldier, with his mnsket
and knapsack, and wades through the mud and filth for
him by whom he is pplanted-Gi05c
The FOXES WITHOUT TAILs.-The following is an
extract from article in the Pennsylvania Inquirer OF
Saturday last, headed "Tte Philadelphia Banks and
tie Community" viz:
shc loan was, already announced taken hy
the United States Bank lie Grad Bank and the Bank Of Penn
ylvas The other banks did contribute dollar and
Of them, assured discount little or nothing aud at Tic
time refuse pay their paper, either checks
exchange for paper other Institutions The effect Of all Thu
is exceedingly injurious TO the business Of the community aRt