The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-21
WHOLE NO. 1923

people, Is IN change of representatives, by
the operations of a free and frequently exer-
cised suffrage. That is the tribunal, reared
by the Constitution, to supervise and correct
the official conduct Of the National Legisla-
ture. The venerable gentleman from Massa-
chusetta Mr.. Adams, has expressly conceded
our power TO reject petitions but insists that
It ought to be exercised sub modo; and that
we ought 10 spread our reasons upon the Jour-
nal. Ii this power exists, in truth, il is a ge-
neral, untrammeled, discretionary power; and,
for its exercise we may assign causes, or we
may withhold them, as TO US seems meet. So
far as am concerned, | am altogether viii
ling to put my reasons for my vote upon this,
and all other subjects, upon the record: but,
different gentlemen would have various consi-
derations operating upon their Judgments
Each one would be DESTROYS of giving those
that influenced him, and probably at conside-
rable length, and IN his own way; and this
process would run into a perpetual session Of
Congress. and would swell our annual journal
into many ponderous tones.
The next question that presents itself is, as
to the character Of the petitions. Do they re-
late to subject far removed from the petit
TONERS, and exclusively appertaning to other
people, who are wholly opposed to all inter-
ference by Congress Are they the continue.
ton of systematic and perseverng attack up
on the rights Of property of others to vast
amount Are they false and ncendiary,
deeply agitatng and exasperating the public
mind Of this whole confederacy, arraying, en-
differing and alternating one Of its great geo.
graphical divisions against another threaten
ing TO sunder our union, and ultimately TO pre-
cipitate the horrors Of civil and seryile war,
and to overthrow liberty itself! Ii such be
the mighty, malign and destructive tendencies
OF these petitions, is there a man in this Hall
that could be so convinced who would not
concede that they form case which invests
Congress with the moral political power to re-
iect them; and who would not require its
prompt and direct exercise? Is there one
that would still 90 on hurryng this destruction,
this deep and wide spread curse, TO blast the
lairest and happest land Of earth IL there
be such an one, he is more than fanatc-he is
fend
| admit that slavery is the fruitful source Of
many social and moral evils !; and if my fiat
could eradicate it from America, and translate
all African slaves to the land of their fore
fathers, another sun should not rise to reveal
this blotch on my country's escutcheon. But
they who are here NEEDING with it by petit
ton, have it not among themselves; and it is
subject not Of national. but State con-
Germ. Its sin and its curses are far removed,
and in no way are they responsible for its ex-
istence, or its continuance among Olher people.
They, whose lamentable destiny it is to be
born to possess and endure its evils, alone
have the power to attempt a correction. They
do not desire, they repel the councils and as
sistance, and interference of those who OBJ
trude themselves SO perseveringy, SO ungra-
ciously, and so impudently, upon them and
their concerns and il the people thus out
ragged, could lay hands upon many Of
these agitators, they would hang them
yea, by authority Of law. Philanthropy
and sense of justice are made the
mask under which this crusade is rallied
and marshaed Yes, those noble attri-
butes of our nature are claimed to impel
many votaries in this cause, who have no
sympathies for the sufferngs and miseries Of
their race and color. If they are moved by
true benevolence, and a sincere desire to
mitigate the ills of humanity, let them go to
our large cities and explore the hut and the
brothel, hunt up the perishing victims Of vice
and misfortune, and like angels of mercy, lift
them up from want and degradation. Let
them rescue the thousands Of widows, and
orphans. and destitute Of their neighbors and
kindred, on whom the hand Of affection pres
ses heavily, before they go forth to distant
lands, in the name of holy charity, 20 ameli-
crate the condition Of black population,
which wants no solid comforts, and most OF
whom are more conten,ed and happy than
their hollow friends. There is much, very
much of hypocrisy in the pretensons and pro-
LESSONS of these agitators. Many of them
are actuated, no doubt, by that itching, loath-
some, detestable principle Of mans weak ma
ture, which prompts many people to neglect
their own business, and undertake the man
agement Of the concerns of others. Some
hope in this way, to hand down their obscure
names to posterity, Some make it a substi
tute for religion, and hope by display OF
much zeal in this cause, to deceive man, il
not Omniscience. Some are imposed upon
by misrepresentation, by gross and daring
falsehood, and honestly embark in it. Some
seek to take advantage Of the excitement it
creates, both in the North and the South, to
elevate themselves to office and distinction,
which their modicum Of talent and merit could
never win. These latter would foment it,
until it should mount higher and higher,
and at length wrap this confederacy in
one great conllagration, that they might
achieve their selfish and diabolical purposes.
May shame and remorse, defeat, confusion,
and dismay, overwhelm all, who wickedly use
this machinery to raise themselves, even upon
their country's ruin
There are more than two millions and a
quarter of slaves in the United States and so
great is the demand for labor that their value
has been estimated to be, and no doubt is,
twelve hundred millions Of dollars. In vast