Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-06-23
9th Congress.
From the N. Y. Journal of Commerce.
j J.. -.--.. Monday, June

HousE-AbolitioD Petitjons.-The
House resumed the consideration OF Mr.
Wise's motion 10 adopt the rules of the
last House and to appoint committee OF
nine members to revise the same. The
question being on Mr.. John Quincy Ad-
ans motion to amend the resolution by
lexcepting the 2lst role, which rule de-
clares that no abolition petition shall be
received or entertained in any manner
whatever. Mr.. Adams said that he had
always expressed his opinion IN oPposl-
Ition to the abolition Of slavery IN the Dis
ltrict Of Columbia. He held that Congress
had the constitutional power to abolish
slavery in this District, but that it was not
lexnedient to exercise it until the people
laft the District should themselves ask it.
/ When that time came, If he should be
here, he was certain he should not be
he would move to abolish slavery in the
District, AS to interference with the in
| stitution of slavery in the States, he was as
!, much opposed to it as was the Secretary,
whose declarations had been referred to.
!. Let the States, if they please, maintain
) slavery as long as they can. When they
/, can no longer maintain it without North
E ern aid,-when that conflict commences,
e las to which Mr.. Jefferson says,-the Al.
mighty has no attribute that can take part
n with the slaveholder-it would be ques
+ ton how far the people of the non-sIave
e holding States would be bound to hgh
i the battles of slavery. He had received
n petitions asking to be released from the
: necessity of opposing such a crisis, but he
had not presented them. Mr.. A. viewed
this question Of the reception of petitions
v as infinitely more important than al TIT
J. other questions that agitated this nation
Is While states and communities were agl
,n] tated by questions growing out OF slavery
J. This House alone was debarred from ca
o tertainibgsany proposition On the sublec
"a Gentletneue asked to what source thel
feeling in favor ofsthe right of petition
was to be traced. He can tell then
4. They will fnd it in the motto and Gevlc
ed of The ancient commonwealth OF Virginit
IS which reprcsented liberty trampling on
tVrant- 80 sac semper tyronnls. Thus
ID Iswe sbufn and tfample on this rule, b
IS. cause II is tyranny. Liberty is loved B
v. The people in the non siayehotdlug State
he because they believe that the sALUs 20
m ULr requires il but on the other han
he gentlemen at the south think that the $
Lus PoPuLI requires the perPetuatlon
slavery. Perhaps The. gentleman tro
Virginia thought so; but thlss"as
the opinion during the revolution.
Mr.. Wise then iaterposed and remar
ed that he gentleman had no author
!, for saying that he held this opinion, t
lne opinion was. that the people OF the Unit
a .i59 States, who made the Constitution OF
I'll Union, were entitled to lis proteetlt
The slaves were nota part of the Pc
lpie"
ains Mr.. Fillmore moved the previous gu
re- ton, lit being understood that, accordi
rom 10 the decision ofthe Chair, the main au
nos ton would be on Mr.. Adams anendme
ing The a.ain question was ordered TO be :
,ool The question being taken. Mr.. Adam
lion amendment was agreed 20 yeas liz, ni
nds I04. So The 2lst Rule was except
cav The resolution, as ameuded. was Il
an adopted-l23 TO 81.