The Madisonian., 1840-01-23
THE FINESSING OF THE VAN buren,
ABOLITIONISTS.

THE FINESSING OF THE VAN BUREN,
ABOLITIONlSTS
In the North, they will shout that Harrison
is " committed TO Southern intvests,"* and, in
the South, they will tell you " he is committed
TO the Abolitionists of the North"
These two charges, made for local effect,
when brought together, of course, destroy
each other.
TO expose, by the records of the House, the
mean and unmanly course the Van Burenites
are pursuing here on this subject.
They evade, on every occasion, the direct
issue which must ultimately come up, stave off
that question of the power of Congress to le-
gislate on the subject, and, by connecting it
with the right of petition manage to keep the
subject in agitation, with view to political
effect
They contrive to bring out some of the
Northern Wings in vindication of the right NJ
petition, "a subject which ought to be discon-
nectcd from that of Abolition, and then set
on the Southern Van Buren men, to assail
the entire Wing party, as Aboitionists =
They have not if we recollect rightly, per-
mitted, with the exception Of Mr. Garland,
of Va, and Mr. Stanly, of N. c. both Of whom
made able speeches-a single gentleman of
the Opposition from the South, TO vindicate
their party on the subject.
By moving the previous question when
Southern Whig attempts TO speak, and with
drawing it to permit a man of the North TO
assert the right Of petition, and by making
motions by which they may evade the grand
issue, they keep the question alive, and the
Globe sends forth its one-sided reports, and
its calumnating and deceptive comments,
and thus they manage TO make their power
and advantages work together to poison, pre-
judice and deceive the public mind, with
view to operate on the Presidential election.
We trust the people Of the whole country,
North and South, will see through the hypo-
critical jugglery of the administration party,
and Judge its authors as they merit.
We snbioin letter from Mr. Bots, Of Vr-
ginia
House OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
January is, 1910.
As nv course on the subject before the House con-
nec,ed with the abolition petitions, may be liable TO
some misinterpretaon beg leave to offer the follow
ing as substantially what intended to have offered as
an explanation OF my vote, which was cut OIL from do
ing by the operation of the previous question: and alter
wards refused by the House, and by the votes Of South
ern supporters Of the Administration
My opinion is aud always has been, and that opinion
has been strongly confirmed by my intercourse here,
that every consideration OF proprley and policy requires
different course OF action from that which has been
pursued by Southern friends in the disposition to be
made Of petitions touching the question.
We continually presenting false issues before this
House and the country and keeping the question alive,
here aud elsewhere by connecting the subject OF sboi-
ton with the right Of petition.
If could control this matter would have these pc
ttions received, referred. reported and acted upon
would have distinct issue made before Congress on
its constitutional power, It's jurisdiction over this sub
lec, and bring all gentlemen OF all parties to direct
vote upon 1t.
This question has, | believe, been kept alive to ac-
compsh political purposes which wish to see speedily
checked and whenever we can get vote here, II VIII
be found that the fanatics Of the North have nothing to
hope from Congress- and will cease 10 torment us with
their vile petitions, aud shall be relieved OF the daily
distraction occasloned here by their presentation.
am anxious to know how we stand. ! want TO know
who are with u.s. and who against US and II am
mistaken in the strength Of the aboilonlss here de-
sire to know il, aud desire the slave holding interest
Of the South to know it and the the better
Yet | do not feel disposed 10 break oil from the
Southern delegation this important question, and
may therefore, give vote IN direct violation Oh the
strongest convictions OF my judgment, that we may
present an Undivided and unhroken front hoping
the time is not far distant when they will concur with
me- aud unite in putting this question sleep forever
Respectfully, &c,
JOHN NJ BOTTS.
See New Bedford Gazette Of 1896, edited by the