Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1840-04-09

70 sks ssaass an Asslisisa i<slriss. ,isasd Sy
lco Wonen- 49,
WAsnIseros, March %. 1870.
Sir Yoar letter Of the 7ih instant vas
duly received. enclosing = petition to
Congress. signed by lao women Of the
CITY uarcsasy Of New York. prsyinx
r.,he sboliliou Of slavery. and the slave
trade 10 The District Of Columbia. and m
those territories Of the United States
where they exist. and 70 admit no new
slave Sts.es into the Union. requesting
me TO lay the same before the Senate. I
have also received your letter Of the nth
instant. requesting me 90 inform you " hen
would present the petition. Having de.
clined 10 present the petition. q is, per-
hsPs. due 10 the fair petitioners. and 10 you,
their organ. a. well ~ 10 myself. 70 state
some OF the reasons which dictate nv
course. The constitutional right OF petit
ton 10 contained ia the 6rst article Of
amendments, ~ follows:
Congress shall make no law respect
ing an establishment OF religion. or pro-
hibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abfidging the freedom Of speech. Of the
Ptess; os the right 81. The people peaceably
TO asse mble. and TO petition the Govern
msni for redress Of grievances"
Congress has never made q law abridg-
ing this right; bot. the people assemble al
pleasure. and petition at pleasure, for q
redress OF grievances OF course, this
part OF the Constitution has not been VIC.
lated; and II il did not exist, Congress
could not. consiituiionally, have passed
such . law, because. no such power Is
delegated TO Congress. This right, re.
served 10 the people. does not devolve
upon the presiding officer OF the Senate
the obligation Of presenting petitions Of
every conceivable description.
There are considerations Of a moral and
political, as well as Of q constitutional ma
iure, which would not permit me TO pre-
sent petitions. Of character evidently
hostile 20 the Union. and destructive Of
the principles or which IL 10 founded
The patriots Of the Revolution made great
sacrifices Of blood and treasure 10 estab-
lish and coo6rm The doctrines set forth in
lhs Declaration Of independence. Each
StSte g4s Thea an independent sovereign
.its and g sf.pft = perPstual CoufedeFaey
voc the s1ie ~ benefit Of the whole,
embodyi1g % nro1i doctrines Of The Dec
laration. . e6fnPgo1liso Of interest aad
feeling was noeeeanEy That vas made;
and the principle which your fair petition.
ers are now sgilating. wa settled. The
right Of regulating and sbolishipg slavery
was reserved TO the States; aud Congress
have no more right 10 destroy slavery in
Virginia and Maryland, than they have 20
establish slavery In New York OF New
England. The right Of petition Gof these
objects Is reciprocal; and the obiigsiion OF
the presiding officer to present . petition
10 the Senate, lift exist in either case, l.
equally strong in both. But cannot re-
cognise the obligatiou ia either case,
though ] acknowledge the right Of the
people IN both. Is difference made be-
tween the District Of Columbia, and the
States Of Maryland and Virginia, from
which it was takens The question was
settled ia relation TO this District by those
States, by the formation and adoption Of
the Federal Constellation, when Il wss 1
part ofthose States; and q subsequent ees-
sion Of jurisdiction could not deprive the
citizens Of the rights already secured to
them BY both The Federal Constitutioa
and the Constitutions Of their respective
States. The right Of Congress 70 exer-
else exclusive legislation in all eases What
ever, does not mean omnipofent I8gisIs.
ton. Congress have no right 10 che Dis
trici Of Columbis. 10 take away he right
OF trial BY jury; 70 pass "a sr post faeto
iawi to abFidge the freedom Of speech or
OF the press; 10 establish religion by Law;
nor 10 destroy the rights Of properly, or
the personal liberty offhe citizen. fbess
reserved rights ere ~ sacred in the Dis
iIiet OF Columbia as ia the State Of New
York. They have the same right 20 con.
slider The abolition Of slavery ia N. York
grievance, and petition to Congress 10
establish IL there, 60 the citizens Of New
York have to consider il q grievance IN
the District and petition Congress TO
abolish a. Their right in either case to
assemble peaeeably and make their petit.
lion. do not call n question, BOT The OBJ
legation on my part 70 present Il TO the
Senate, do not sdmit.
IL number Of citizens should consider
Republican Government q grievance.
aod petition Congress 10 establish q mon
arehy; hoiheTs should consider religious
liberation grievance. and petition Con-
gress to destroy heresy. by Hbolishing all
religious seels bot their own, should not
consider Il my duty 10 preseat their peii.
Mons 70 toe Senate, sor do ] consider ID
my duty TO present petition the certain
tendency Of which is 70 destroy the bar.
mony, and eventually to break ssundsr
the boads Of our Uaion.
II regard 70 new States, the case e. III
possible, eth stronger. They must be
nnised upon terms Of equality. Zach
Stale having reserved the right Of Tsguls.
ting thIs subisct for iiself, no one esn Be
eonsiiiuiionally deprived Of The right
The State Of New York has abolished
slavery ont tbs sbolition is not the con
gu o. which she holds her place IN
The Coniederncy. u is her own pol;ev.
and u 4 shall be her pleasure 10 change
=. congress cannot inteFfsFe--so, II new
States are admitted into the Union. when
admitted hey viii sisad upon 90 sassE.
y VIII New York. They nsy establish
o. seolish slavery a. their pleasure. sn4
nsiiaeF Congress, nogsav other State u.li
"a