The Madisonian., 1840-02-01

had the power TO abolish slavery, u would no'
be compelled to exercise H. II bad the Hgh',
therefore, TO make the pledge, and Is bound
in honor to redeem il, SO long as the circum-
stances under which il was made exist, and
require its observance.
MIR. Speaker, | would respectfully inquire,
who are these petitioners and why should
their petition be entitled to The peculiar favor
Of this House Sir, they are Intermediates
-ofIici.,ns intruders into the affairs Of others.
They seek 10 redress, not their own grievan-
ces. but those OF an independent community
they seek To apply the power of Congress to
the destruction of the domestic institutions OF
sovereign States, Of which they are not cili-
zens, and with which they have no concern.
Our Government is federal, not consolidated
and. in relation 10 their domestic institutions,
the States are as independent of each other,
and Of this Government. as they arc OF the
powers of Europe, Asia or Africa and the
subjects Of France or England can, with as
much proprieiy, seek the Intervention OF Con-
gress upon this subject, as these petitioners.
Such an intermeddling spirit should not be
encouraged, but frowned down by the most
signal marks Of disapprobslion, as dangerous
to the institutions Of the States, and threaten
ing TO the integrity Of the Union. have
been permitted, sir, by The kindness OF my
friend from Massachusetts, (Mr Lincoln) TO
examine one Of these petitions. find it
printed no doubt prepared at an abolition
mint, and signed by 229 women, who pray for
the abolition Of slavery and the siaus-
trade" in the District OF Columbia. do not
doubt that most of the signers are Children,
fnr / find nc tho mostly
written by the same hand, and have been in
fuenced, no doubt, to sign their names to this
paper, without any knowledge Of its contents.
by some long-faced hypocritcal missionary Of
an abolition society These tDomen undertake
to petition Congress to redress grievances of
which they know nothing; and of people
to whom they are utter strangers. Yes, sir,
the grievances Of the superstitious ignorant
and oppressed people Of this District are to
be poured into our ears by few school
misses and factory maids, in Massachusetts,
who are particularly enlightened upon this
subject; and for the reception of such Pc
,iiion, this House and this Nation are to be
blown into fame.
But, j, is argued by some, that the refusal
to receive these petitions, adds to the strength
of the abolitionists. by enabling them TO con-
meet with their system the right Of petition;
and that true policy would require that they
should be receved referred and reported
upon. Sir, in 1893, when the Quaker petit
ton was presented, it was received, referred
and reported upon. From that period up to
1896, such petitions were received, referred
and reported upon; but without effect In
1896, after an animated discussion, abolition
petitions were received, and referred TO COM
miticc Of which Mr.. Pickens, of South Caro-
lima, was chairman. and an able report made
against the objects Of the petitioners, which,
so far from preventing discussion, produced
most prolracted and violent one. This report
,evaded The important question of the constitu-
tional power Of Congress over this subject
From that time to this, these petitions have
been multiplying in numbers, and fear, will
continue TO multiply and be poured upon us,
till the doors Of Congress are entirely closed
upon them. Sir, if the whole Southern re-
presentation would unite, in the spirit of my
colleague, Mr.. Botts,) who, know, has no
disposition to favor or respect the abolltionists,
would, not as concession of principle, but
to arm in the most effective manner, those Of
our Constitution-abding and law-obeying
friends of the North, who are ready to bare
their breasts to the storm, and maintain the
plighied faith Of the Constitution, defend the
constitutional rights Of the South, and pre-
serve the Union Of these States, give them
such position as they might deem necessary
for heir own safety. But, sir, this must be,
to command my acquiescence. the united ac-
tion Of the South for, upon this vitality inte-
resting and important question, the South. to
command respect, must present an undivided
front, and will not separate from it.
should like to know, MIR. Speaker, why
there is so much solicitude about the reception
of petitions, on which no action is sought or
desired | understand that there are scarce
ten members on this floor who would respond
aflirmatvely to the prayer Of these petitions.
understand the distinguished gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. Adams) to avow that he
would not vote for any bill TO abolish slavery
in the District of Columbia at this time. l
understand the gentleman from Vermont Mr..
Slade) himself to say, that he does not desire
immediate action upon this subject. Why,
then, risk the harmony of this body, leopard
the peace Of the country, impar the strength
Of the Union, and hazard its integrity in pres
sing the reception Of petitions upon which this
body has determined II will not act,
Mr. SLApE said he did desire immediate ac-
tion.
distinctly understood the gentleman to say,
that he did not desire the immediate abolition
Of slavery, and therefore Inferred. that he did
not desire the immediate action Of the House.
But, sir, it is argued by the member from
Vermont, that the adoption Of this resolution
would exclude all petitions or papers touching
the subject Of slavery in any form, md about
which the power Of Congress is undoubted.
He says, that petitions, memorials, or other
papers, seeking modification Of the laws for
the recovery OF fugitive slaves would be ex-
cluded. The gentleman is mistaken; the re-