The Madisonian., 1840-01-30
DEBATE
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ON THE SUBJECT OF ABOLITION
PETITIONS.

PETITIONS
"WEDNESDAY, Jan. s, 1910.
Mr.. Coles, Of Virginia, having moved that the
following be- added 10 the Standing Rules and Orders
Of the House:
"All petitions, memorials, and papers touching the
abolition ot slavery. or the buying, 9selng. transfer
ring Of slaves in any State, District or Territory Of the
United States, shall upon their presentation be laid
the table without being debated printed read, vf 70.
fered. and further action whatever shall be had
thereon"
After some remarks from Mr.. CoIEs and other
Incidental proceedings thereon, Mr.. Thompson, OF
South Carolina, moved to lay the resolution The
table to enable him to oder another which was read
for information, as follows:
Upon the presentation of any memorial or petition
praying for the abolition Of slavery or the saveade in
any District Territory State Of the Union and upon
the presentation Of any resolution paper touching
these SUBJECTS the question Of the reception Of such
memorial, petition, resolution, paper shall be consi
dered made, and the question Of It's reception shall
be laid upon the table without debate further action
Of the House"
And the motion to lay the resolution Of Mr.. Coles
on the table having passed in the Affirmative
Mr.. w. THOMPSON amongst other things said,
must say 10 gentlemen with whom | have been
associated here IL in nothing else, in opposition 10
the prohigdcy and corruption OF this administration
that the People Of the south regard no question
as paramount to this. II is with me Tie question,
and those who sustain me and my people from insult
to their rights and outrage upon their feelings are
my friends and if gentlemen cannot take The re-
sponsibliy OF the vote If they cannot stand at home
by taking this ground, the more the pity--lhe
deeply is II TO be regretted.
II might be permitted 10 give word Of advice
upon matter in which am deeply Interested |
would say TO them, take the bull by the horns
the only way TO overcome real danger Is 10 look
full In the face gentlemen have given this subject
importance BY investing 1t with dangers which do
not belong to II.
believe that the vast majority of the Northern
People are sound on this subject more disposed 10
take strong ground, and put down this dangerous
than their Representatives. the Peo-
pie generally are, all great questions, bolder, be-
cause more dsinleresled than their Representatives
know, too that large portion Of the Representa-
tives this floor ready TO take their stand in put
ting down this infamous faction, bui cannot vote with
this question OF reception, although as untaint-
ed with abolilionism as am-men OF as high honor,
elevated patriotism, and generous intrePdiy as any
living
fMr. CARES here interrupted Mr.. Thompson, and
said he hoped The gentleman would not include him
among those around him who agreed with him in
sentiment.
Mr. THOMPSON Oh no, sir; did not allude to
the gentleman. l was speaking Of high honor, ee-
vated patriotism, generous intrepidty. surely did
not refer to the gentleman.
Mr. MONROE, of New York, then addressed The
Chair as follows: Mr.. Speaker, propose to occupy
only in defining my position on this all-absorbing
onestion Ny sentiments are well known al home,
they having always been freely declared; and will
frankly tell my Southern friends that hey have made
a false issue on the right of petition with the non.
States. | beseech them friends,
implorc them as brethren, born under The same
Southern sun, inherng the like feelings and prin-
cipes 10 pause and to reflect.
am here, Representative from non-slave-
holding Stae-just In her wishes ardent in her pa
rh in he
States Of the South, for whom the gentleman from
South Carolina who has just preceded me, claims SO
much.
On this subject OF abolition every where express
my sentiments openly and freely and no where more
distinctly and with higher appreciation than among
these whom have the honor 10 represent. In proof
of this intend TO read 10 the House letter which
addressed to the nominating committee oil the city
OF New York. just before the last election for men,
bers Of Congress. II had been minated before the
late election in New York, by few individuals, that
il were nominated, the abolitionists would not give
me their support. Con6dng in the just sentiments
of the North at met the intimation by inform
ing the committee that, if elected l would maintain
The property-righi OF masters in their slaves, as Sc
cured by the Constitution OF the Federal Union
will ask the Clerk to read that letter.
New YoRK, Oct. Is, 1888.
To LAMBERT SuYpAM, Esq, Chairman Of The
Wing Nominating Comnritiee:
DEAR Sin II understand that few OF nv personal
opponents of the Wing party have last been forced
declare the true ground Of their opposition. Finding
that my friends met most trumphany every charge put
forth TO defeat my nomination for Congress they
at the last moment TO the allegation that, having my
birth IN the South that the abolilionists will give
me their support. This deny, and take the issue as
doubt not with every honorable Wing and the patriots
OF all parties and secis including the aboonists them
selves--whether the Union can be preserved and in
deed whether II is worth preserving, under such sec
tlona prescription and my constitutional opinions not
asked, but, from my birth, assumed
thank the gentlemen for the compliment to my ma
tive State, implied in the assumption that wherever
fate fortune may have cast Of her sons he can
not be tampeed with upon constitutional rights Most
sincerely do regret the issue, and deeply do deplore
the declaratiop-not for SELF God knows! but for our
countryside Union. Is the South to be told that one
Of her sons, whose father freely shed his blood in our
Revolutionary struggle, cannot be presented for your
suffrage because Virginia, under the constitutional COM
pact holds slaves property while the people of the
East and the North held them under the guaranty
and from interest," or feeling II you please thought pro-
per TO liberate them ! will not here take up your time
SO far insult your patriotism as to 60 into the discus
sion Of the question: though am ready do so on any
suitable occasion.
The indulgence Of my feelings in regard to slavery
has made me- years since, practical abotonist when
liberated the few slaves who formed my only inherit
snce, and by doing, left myself without dollar
beg not to be understood urging this in plea for my
self, in Of the South had the right libc
rate my slaves, and exercised it others in the South
think proper TO hold theirs aud have the const
tuiional right to say they shall not.
Whenever this question shall be forced upon the
South, the constitutional compact is dissolved Leave
the South TO themselves, and they will be found in due
time, not less patrotc, generous, and religious
than ourselves on this momentous subject The same
cause will operate there which operated in the Eastern
States, New York, Pennsylvania New Jersey, and De-
laware.
But TO the point The object Of this communication
is request that my friends will allow my name to
be put nomination under even SO much as implied
nledne that necessary manner cnnnienance