The Madisonian., 1840-02-01
SPEECH OF
JAMES GARLAND, Of Virginia,

JAMES GARLAND, OF virginia,
On The Resolution Of Mfr. Thompson of south Caro-.
lima, for Me rejection Of Abolition Petitions De-
liuered in The House Of Representatives. Of fha
U1itcd States, January q, 1910.
Mr.. GARLAND, Of Virginia, rose and said
Mr.. SPEAKER: avow at the outset Of my
remarks, upon this, rs avowed on former
occasion, that upon the subject of domestic
slavery, as it exists in the United States, and
upon all those questions of "human rights
and the immutable principles of" Justice" re-
ferred TO by the gentleman from Vermont,
(Mr. Slade,) as connected with il, have no
remarks TO make. avow notc as did then,
that never will debate before the House Of
Representatives of the United States, qacs-
ton Of "humaa rights involving the domes-
tic institutions Of the State which have, in
part, the honor to represent; not because
apprehend any unfavorable result 10 the dis
cission, but because il is subject over which
the Constitution has impaired. no power
whatever to this Governments subjec'
entirely local, and belonging to the erciustre
jurisdiction Of the States. In this determina-
lion, believe, truly reflect the undivided
sentiment Of the State OF Virginia, and the
common sentiment of the whole Southern
People. They have but one sentiment, and
one argument upon this vital and deeply inter-
esting question, and that is, to resist to the ut
most extremity, every invasion Of their do
mestic institutions or domestic rights, when
soever and by whomsoever made.
The principles involved in this debate, Mr..
Speaker, are Of infinite importance, not only
as they affect the question Of slavery in the
District of Columbia, but as they affect the
life, liberty and property Of the people Of the
District. They involve the question, whether.
over the people Of this District, the powers Of
this Government are omnipotent and without
Limitation, or, whether they are secured against
the tyranny and oppression of the Govern
ment by the same constitutional barriers
which protect and defend every other portion
of the People OF the United States. In a
word, sir, the question is directly involved,
whether the People Of the United States have,
in this District, unwittingly and incautiousy
erected an absolute and unqualified despotsm;
for, sir, it the doctrines contended for SO ably
by the gentleman frhm Pennsylvania, Mr..
Biddle,) and the gentleman from Vermont
MIR. Slade) be true, and Congress has power
to abolish slavery in the District Of Columbia,
then are the people Of the District without the
pale Of all constitutional protection, and the
subjects of an unqualified, iron despotism !;
having no rights or no privileges but such as
exist at the ,chim and caprice Of this body
If the people Of the District Of Columbia,
cannot look for that protection Of life, liberty
and property in the Constitution, which that
instrument affords to all the citizens Of the
United States, against the tyranny and oppres-
sion Of this Government, should be greatly
indebted to any gentleman to inform me where
they can look for it-where is their security !!
II their property in slaves can be coHstitu-
tionally inraded and destroyed, what other
right Of property, or even of life or liberty,
is secured! None, sir, none whatever; and
this Government may lord it over this people
with perfect impunity.
But, before enter upon the discussion Of
the question, whether petitions for 9" the abo-
Ltion Of slarery and the slape-trade IN the
District Of Columbia as the distinguished
gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr.. Biddle,)
and the ingenious gentleman from Vermont,
Mr.. Slade,) have attempted to prove that this
House cannot refuse to receive these petitions
without an invasion Of that great popular
right-the right Of petition, propose briefly
to examine the nature Of this right Of petition
the extent to which the Constitution has Sc
cured it against invasion, and what are the
powers and duties Of Congress when petitions
are presented; for the purpose Of proving
that the right of the People to petition is one
thing, and the powers and duties Of Con-
gress when petitions are presented, another
And here will remark, that in the prescrva-
ton of this great right this fundamental prin-
ciple Of liberty from every species Of inva.
sion, the holding are as deeply interest
ed as the non-slaving States, and that what
ever impairs its force, or destroys its efficacy
affects the people of the slaveAbolding as
much as those of the non-slavehold9g States.
| am as much, therefore, from interest as from
feeling, opposed to any, even the slightest in.
novation upon this invaluable and inalenable
right as any member upon this floor il is the
common right Of the whole American People
and not of section. But, sir, the refusal to
receive these petitions is no invasion, moi
even in the slightest degree, Of the right o.
petition /; and this is the proposition which
now undertake to demonstrate.
What is meant, Mr.. Speaker, by the righ
Of petition is il right which involves, no.
only demand for redress Of grievances
but the power also Of controlling the action
of the body to which petitions are presented
in their dispositionl If it be thus omnpo
tent and unlimited, then indeed, has this
House nothing to do but to receive petition:
and grant their prayers, however unfounded
absurd, or ridiculous they may be. But, sir
this cannot be so. understand the right o
petition simply to mean, the right Of the citi
zen to petition the Government for redres.
OF grievances, and the duty of the Govern
ment to redress those grievances as far as j
may have power to do so, and tho justice ant
proprlety OF the demand may require. Wher
the citizen has assembled and nresenfed bis