The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-04-25

gion by law; ner tc destroy the rights Of
property, or the personal liberty OF she citi- |
zen. These reserved rights are as sacred |
in the District of Columbia as in the State |
Of New York. They have the same right
to consider the abolition Of slavery in New
York grievance, and petition to Congress
TO establish it there, as the citizers of New
| York have 10 consider il grievance in the
District, and petition Congress to abolish it.
Their right in either case to assemble peace
ably and make their petition, do not call
in question but the obligation on my part
to present il to the Senate, do not admit.
If a number of citizens Should consider
Republican Government grievance, and
petition Congress TO establish monarchy
if others should consider religious federation
a grievance, and petition Congress to des-
troy heresy,by abolshing all religious seceS
but their own, should not consider it my
duty TO present their petitions TO the Senate,
nor do consider it my duty to present a
petition, the certain tendency of which is 10
destroy the harmony, and eventually to
break assunder the bonds, of our Union.
In regard'to new States, the case is, il
possible, still stronger. They must be
united upon terms Of equality. Each State
having reserved the right of regulating this
subject for itself, no enc can be cSnstitu
tionaly deprived Of the right. The State
of New York has abolished slavery but
this abolition is not the condition on which
she holds her place in the Confederacy. Il
is her own pelicy and if it shall be her
pleasure to change it, Congress cannot In
ieIlere. Sc, if new States are admitted ia
10 tive Union, when admitted; they will
stand upon an equality with New York
The NAV establish or abolish slavery at
their pleasure, and neither Congress, nor
any ether State, will have any more right
10 interfere with The subject, than with the
laws of prinogeniture in the British empire.
The object of the petition does not affect
the abstract question OF slavery that 1t is
, subject whIG!Athc Abolitionisis Of the free
, States can no more affect than they can that
.ofthe privileges Of the British nobility
This plain question is this shall we con
tinue united confederated Republic, OF
shall we dissolve the Union fthe pray
er of this and similar petitions should bt
! granted by n majority Of Congress, the inc
2 Iitabe effect would be an immediate des
lructien of the Confederacy ; and with it
8 those bonds of affection which have united
US as one great, one harmonious family
2 1t has besn my grief TO observe reckless
ness on the part Of some, whom other
s wise highly esteem, showing an utter disre
e gard of all the consequences which mustre
( suit from the perpetual agitation Of this sub
: ect. We have an interest at stake too dea
: 10 be compromised for phantom which WI
: can mover gain, however enthusiastically ",
}, may pursue it. AS free, powerful, ant
7 happy nation, we stand unrivalled iI tht
9 annals Of the world.
J, Turning the eye alternately to every re
gion Of our country, il is greeted with tn,
d smiles Of happiness, amid the scenes Of Ii
l. berty, and peace, and plenty and yet i'm
II aginstion frequently pauses upon tho local.
o ties which remind US of the price at whicl
j. these blessings were gained, Do VIC com
IS pare our condition with that of adjoining
# colonies I We lock TO Quebec-and ther
n Montgomery fell. We Ietuin to view th
If beautiful town of Boston and take our stan
n oil Bunker Hill--ihere Warren died. w
a cross the delightful fields OF Connecticut
III lICTS w OOSNCI blcus VIC COHuHuo OuI VI
at servation through the Jerseys, till we rsac
,e Princeton-thers Mercer psrished.
Ir Even from the Capitol in which we al
4. assembled, we cast look to the South, an
h. the heights Of Vernon remind US that III
ID mighty Washington slumbers there, VIII
" forsook those peaceful shade for the toll
m the dangers, and the privatons Of the saT
" guine field, where, with thousands Of othel
e. equally brave and patriotic, the enemies
I'd our rights were defeated 1t is at the priC
e. Of their blood that we, in common vii
in your fair petitioners, now enjoy the'
nj blessings. When the rights were aga
er threatened, I regarded it my duty, in hun
he BILE imitation of these apostles and maty
e. Of liberty, 10 offer my own life upon the a
he Tar of my country, 10 confirm to YOU and
m them the permanent enjoyment Of thoI
as blessings A merciiul providence prOtectG
Sc me, aud ind twofold recompenss in Il
he preservation OF eur institutions.
lr With these viOws,I cannot reconcile il
OF my sense Of duty to present the petition
10 | shall enter into no discussion on the pri
tn ciple Of slavery, as that is not involved
u the subject. can view it In no other lig
ht than that of an interference with the cons
a. tulional rights OF others, and in such a W;
an as tends to the destruction Of the rich inhC
no itanre nurrhaqa hv the hlood and toll