The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-02-10
From the Lexington KY Observer.
CONGRESS-ABOLITION.

The proceedings of Congress- which will be found
in this days paper are OF unusual and painful nte-
rest II will be seen that Mr.. Adams, the great re-
preventative of the Aboitonists in the lower house
of Congress, not content with having been the in
strument for the last years, of producing the
deepest feeling of dsquietude throughout the entire
South, and of scenes of the highest and not unfre
quently of the most disgracefu excitement in the
body of which he is member, has at last suffered
his judgment and patriotism to be so far mastered by
his feelings, as to become the medium by which a
petition for the dissolution Of the Union has gained ac-
cess into the halls OF Congress! Deeply do we, in
common with nearly the entire nation deplore the
degradation to which this venerable old man has
duced himself by the course which Of late years he
has pursued, and which has marked him as an agi-
tator Instead of occupying the exalted position which
has heretofore been occupied by all the ExPresdents;
in state of retirement watching with anxious solicit
tude the peaceful course Of the Republic; with the
attention of the whole American people directed TO
him, and their constant prayers for his peace here,
and his happiness hereafter; he has descended from
the lofty position which his fame and his career
titled him, and entered the political arena
rtizan agitator and while his course is calculated
to elicit the respect of but small portion Of those
who in principle, opposed to the institution Of
slavery, 1t is, the other hand received with min
gled feelings of disgust indignation and contempt by
those who not affected with holy horror whenever
the subject of slavery is mentioned.
II is excuse to Mr. Adams, that in presenting
structons to report against the petition with the
therefor. The offence consists in the fact that
such petition was by him presented and in extenu-
alton he offer that will be acceptable to
the American people We are willing to concede that
Mr. Adams does not desire dissolution of the Union
and in doing SO, we know that we ale granting much
than his course for the last seven or years
fully jusfes for his course has been such as to pro-
duce agitation throughout the country distrust be-
tween the different sections which might ultimately
lead to consequences, at the mere thought of which
the heart slckens. And yet we cannot suppose that
any man. who enjoys the protection and blessings Of
this Government, much less who has been literal
y covered with its honors, could be lost every
principle of patriotism, perfectly under the infu-
oftanatlcsm, to harbor thought so revolving
to every true american.
But thing clearly established by this proceed
ing. Ii shows to what extent the spirit of Abolition
would carry its votaries, in the attainment of its OBJ
ject and how far Mr.. Adams is willing to permit him
self 10 be used the instrument by which the ends of
Abolition are to be atlaned
We have in another place referred to the proceed
ings upon this matter by which it will be seen that
Mr. Adams has spoken upon the resolutions Of CEN
sure which have been offered We shall endeavor to
lay the debate before readers in our next paper in
order that they may see the feelings with which this
proceeding Is viewed in Congress, and also the man
ner in which Mr. A. defends himself