The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-10
REMARKS OF MR.. SLADE,
OF VERMONT.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Turasn.y limo z 1911

JUNK iotif
The question being on a proposition Of Mr. ADAMS
TO amend resolution adopting the rules of the last
Congress, by adding, excepting the 2ist rule which
hereby rescnded (Which rule excluded the recep-
ton OF abolition petitions &c.)
Mr. SLADE said he did not rise for the purpose OF
continuing the debate the merits of the question,
it indeed lis merits had been actually reached the
discussion He felt compelled 10 say, that far as
the question had been discussed with a reference to
the agency which the respective parties in the last
Congress had in the adoption Of the twenty first rule
and the discussion had been mostly confined to that
its merits had not been touched all. He deemed it
Of no importance 10 20 into examination to the
paternity of the rule. Whether IT was measure of
the last Administration of its opponents, did nrt
affect lis true character. He perceived good thai
could result from bringing up these "reminiscences Its
only effect would be To divert the House from the true
question before il, and throw il of into nermina
Die of debate, points which had nothing to do
with The question.
Mr.. S. said bis purpose had been and still was, TO
refrain from discussing the twenty-frst RUE, the
subject of slavery atthe present session. When tie
proper time should arrive he should have much TO say
the question Of slavery, and upon the rule, should
there be attempt TO adopt II. But he came here at
the present session for different purpose He came
with an expressed determination present no abo
ton petitions and with confident belief that nobody
would present them; and he would add with confident
belief that the friends Of the rule 10 question would re-
fran from pressing itthat they would not force upon
protracted debate and trench upon time which ought
10 be devoted exclusively 10 the objects which formed
the necessity for the extraordinary session lie had not
believed that the friends Of the rule would in the alb
sence OF all necessity for it, undertake the experiment
of gagging six months in advance merely for the
sake Of showing their power of doing it. The rule
expired on the third Of March last. He had thought
they would be willing TO let il sleep at least until the
first regular session Of the 9th Congress and that
he might be permitted to enjoy the satisfaction Of
scous freedom during the intervening perlod-espe-
cialy as he had felt what he now avowcd, No DISPOSE
ton exercise that freedom to the annoyance OF any
body.
To show the House what had been his views on the
subject and the course he had deemed it his duty to
pursue he would beg permission to read TO the Housei
communication he had addressed to the leading abo
lition paper in Vermont touching this subject a
Of the paper having suggested that pet
tons should lie sent to Congress at the Extra session.
praying for the resembling of the twenty hrst rule, ne
lMr S had thereupon ado Iesscd to the Editor the
following:
observe in your paper OF the 24th which has just
reached me communication from Jesse Stedman, ur-
ging the sending olpeons TO Congress- at the Extra
Session PRAYING for the resembling of the infamous
| 2ls rule Of the Ho, Sc Of Representatives
| eli petitions are be forwarded they should not
pray for the resembling Of the rule as il is not now In
existence he rules of the last Congress expired with
that Congress None of them will have any force or
effect until revived by the action Of the next House Of
Representatives. The petitions should therefore ask
that no such rule be again adopted
IL take this occasion say that do not deem 1t OF
any importance that petitions such as have suggested
should be presented THE Extra Session. IL is desl
rabe that that session should be short possible
that it should be confined the legislation rendered
indlspensably necessary by the financial condition OF
the country That will spread itself sufficiently TO
yer all the time that the Representatives will be willing
to spend their constituents will be willing 10 have
them spend, in Extra Session. presume that nc
Representative will think OF presenting al that session
any such petitions were in contemplation when the
2lst rule of the late House was ndoped and that IN
adopting the late rules, at the Extra Session. the 2ls
rule will by common consent be dropped do not
say that there will be attempt to adopt it at the
regular session in December; but its friends an
sure will not think of pressing it at the Extra Session
knowing, as they must, that its discussion will occupy
time which the urgent necessities of the country de.
mand should be otherwise appropriated; and feeling
assured that necessity for II Will exist nj That ses
sion to keep out abolition petitions At the Extra
Session in September 1887, these petitions with
holden from presentation by common consent and so
presume they will be at the Extra Session which j,
approaching.
. No man can hold the Dist rule to be more in
famous than do; but do not think that any thing
will be gained by sending petitions agains, its re-adop
ton at the Extra Session. Let its opponents resery,
their strength for the regular session in December
when, fever, an attempt may be made TO Iesi.e IL.
" Your obeden, servant VIM. SLADE
"MDDLEBuRY, April %, 1871. !"
In one particular, Mr. S. said, he had been mis-
taken ia the communication he bad just read. Hi,
impression had been that abolition petitions with
holden from presentation at the extra session Of 1887
but upon examination OF the Journal OF that session
he found that the following resolution had been adopt
ed viz:
Resoired That the action Of the several standing
committees of this House all matters embrace
by the Message of the President Of the United Staie
to the two Houses of Congress communicated on tbs
second day OF the session. be suspended unit
/ the n the annual session of
in December next; and that the consideration Of al