Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-02-17
WAsHISaroN Cry, Feb. ID, 1910.


place in the Senate to-day and if it should be writ
ten IN iull and be given to the country, il would
douDtedy be the means Of producing very great eff
feet
Mr.. Clay, of Kentucky, presented a petition, sign
ed by single individual OF the Society of Friends
OF the city OF New York, whose name 1 did not
catch, praying Congress to abolish slavery and the
slave trade in the District of Columbia.
The petition came in very que stonable shape;
and to Inc itappeared TO be trap purposey design
ed by some one to produce the very debate that sub
sequently took place.
Mr.. Clay, believe, for was not in at the mo-
ment, was willing to let the petition take the usual
course that is to say, be presented and Law the ques
ton OF its reception on the table.
Mr.. Tallmadge, OF New York, not willing il
should be thus treated and insisted its reception
and reference to committee. He then launched
forth in elaborate defence OF the Right Of Petit
ton, and sustained his views with great real and
animation. He contended that the Right Of Petit
ton not only an inherent right, constitutional
right, but right growing out OF natural law, and
gcing behind the constitution itself He insisted
that all petitions not actually insulting the Senate
should be received.
Mr. Calhoun followed and inquired il the Senator
from New York would receive petition addressed
to the Senate, praying for the adjustment Of Chris
tianity.
Mr. Tallmadge replied that he would receive any
petition that was not derogaory to the character OF
the Senate; and would receive one praying for the
very extraordinary measure which the Senator
from Carolina suggested. He would certainly
ceive of that character. would refer il 20 Sc
lcct Committee, of which Mr.. Calhoun should be
Chairman, and let him report ON il.
Mr. Calhoun again took the floor, and went on, and
by way Of retort, said, that il such petition he
had suggested were presented, he should suffer the
senator from New York to do himself the honor to
receive Ij and then let him go home and see
what his people would say to his conduct. He then
proceeded at length show that the right Of petit
ton rather more ideal than real, and that all
that prated about it had its origin rather in the
demagogues OF the age, than in any legitimacy Of
the right itself. In doing this, he assumed new
ground, and commended that, inasmuch as the sove-
regnty Of the land is vested in the people, and that
congress is composed of men who but the slaves,
servants of the people, the right Of the people,
petition Congress cannot exist. And this assump-
ton he fortified by the dogma, that superior power
cannot of right. petition TO an inferior which po-
son may be illustrated on the hypothesis, that the
Ruler of the Universe cannot, or would not petit
ton to his mere creature man.
Mr. Bedford Brown Of North Carolina followed
Mr. Calhoun, and spoke at length, mainly TO prove,
that the administration party at the north, was OPP
posed to abolition, whilst, at the same time the
wings were decidedly and enthusiastically in
favor Of it,
Mr. Tallmadgc rose in a very great rage, and
piled 10 Mr.. Brown, in strain of great indignation,
and denied that there any connection between
the wings of New York and the abolitionists.-
He exceedingly personal, in his reply to
MIR. Brown and not a little abusive, and in proof
that their was connexion with the abolition par
ty and the wings opposition of New York, he said
that the abolonists had voted against his election.
One Of them in the legislature Of New York, voted
for Mr.. Garritt Smith. Mr. Tallmadge became
y
wrath on the head of Mr.. Brown
Mr. Buchanan rose, and said that the debate had
already proceeded too far; and good could pos
sibly grow out OF it, he should that the question
Of reception be taken at He said that he would
not give way to any but he subsequently
sidered his design, and yieldedto
Mr.. Webster, whe went into formal defence OF
the right Of petition, constitutional grounds As
usual, he has his whole argument constitution
al law lie commended with much zeal, for the main
tenance Of the right of petition, and replied at length
In. Calhoun.
Mr. Bedford Brown Of North Carolina. again got
the floor, and replied TO the personal remarks that
had been bestowed on him, by MIR. Tallmadge; and,
insisted with renewed vehcmence, that the wings
Of the North, were all aboitionists, and that the
friends of the administration wherever found,
the friends and defenders Of the institutions Of the
South.
Mr.. Tamadge again replied to Mr.. Brown and
was understood among other things, to denominatc
that gentleman, a federal locofoco.
Mr. Brown responded at length, and returned the
missile and cpithets that had been cast at him. The
passage between Messrs. Tallmadge and Brown, was
any thing else than dgnifcd, and IL either got the
better side OF the bargain, neither had thing to
boast of.
Mr. Smith, Of CONNECTICUT, got the floor, and
made very sensible speech in support Of the right
Of petition; il precisely such speech sup
pose will be acceptable TO his constituents, If they
are in favor Of tho abolition of negro slavery.
Mr.. Clay, Of Kentucky, followed, and made very
temperate and candid speech on the subject Of abo-
luton generally. He avowed himself firm believer
in the invioability Of the right Of petition,
stitutional and natural right; and was Of opinion,
that all the petitions that had been presented ought
10 be received and referred TO appropriate commit
tees He deprecated the passage Of the resolutions
Of the Hon. w. Cost johnson, by the House, which
deny the right Of reception Of petitions; and Of
opinion that the adoption would be the Of adj
ding fuel to the flame, and Of giving new impulse
20 abolition excitement. He denied most cmphati-
caly. that in taking the stand that dstng
him, he not moved onward by any party, by
any party consideration lie appealed 10 God to
witness the sincerity Of his motives.
Mr.. Wright, Of New York, did not rise TO make
was Co correct error, into which his colleague,
run. lie had stated that Of the members Of the
New York legislature, an aboIitonist, had voted
against the election OF him, (Mr. Tallmadgc,) and
had voted Cor Mr.. Garrett Smith. Mr.. Wright said
that he had looked the viva voce ballot by
which Mr.. Talmsdge had been elected, and the fact
stated did not appear
Mr.. Tallmadge acknowledged that IL was possible
that he had accidentally committed an error, but II
he had. "a did not materially alter the complexion Of
his case. He then proceeded 90 dcscant al length,
the general topics connected with the politics Of
the day. and denounced the President. and the admi
nistration, In unmeasurcd terms of virulcncc.
In the House. Mr.. Casoy's Cumberland Road reso-
lution was the order of the day. Mr.. Pickens, Of
south Carolina made very able speech in oprosi-
ton 20 the resolution and In denunc ation or the
whole doctrine of Internal Improvement.
Mr. Profiti of Indiana, next took the floor, and
cave notice that he about to discuss the Cum
bcrland Road. lie had such object in view. He
was a going 90 make speech on a number Of sub
ects and he did make one. which kept the House in