The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-02-12
"bo Is to be ip1Ahs"s ork on Saturday week.
From the Journal Of Commerce.
THERJGHT OF PETITION

This subject, it seefAs to us, is very much misun-
derstood by Mr.. John Quincy Adams and the editors
who support him in his vexatious course towards the
South. At the same time we of opinion that the
members of Congress from the South, while the prin-
cples they maintain are substantially correct, would
act sagacousy if they would be more yielding.
What the constitutional rights of petitioners
What sort Of notice is Congress bound to take OF pc
titions Are they bound to receive, commit, discuss
and vote upon every proposition which is sent to them
in the form of petition? No one will advocate
such doctrine for it would make Congress the mere
tool of schemers and boobies. On such plan, one
would have the right to stop the business of the
| nation. How much attention, then, has the petit
toner right to claim from Congress- The whole
practice of Congress- from the earliest existence OF
that body this day, declares that the only rule is
the discretion of Congress That body has refused
to receive petitions; it has laid them on the table
mittees and discussed them the floor, just as in
the opinion Of Congress the subject matter required
1t is new doctrine that this is any infringe
ment of the constitutional rights of petitioners
The same principles apply to the presentation
of petitions. No member of Congress is under
any constitutional obligation to present the petitions
of hts fellow-citzens On the contrary, every mem
Der is bound TO exercise his discretion and take care
that he is not made cats paw 10 do mischief. =
But of what use it be to petition, if your pc
tition is not to be heard True and still more, OF
what use is it petition unless Congress will do what
you ask Our rights must be so adjusted as not to
overthrow each other; and certainly if the right OF
petition is what Mr. Adams assumes that it is, then
have the Abotoniss the right to set aside all other
rights but their own, and employ Congress through
its whole session in discussing their propositions. OF
what is the right peaceably to assemble for the
discussion of political Subjects if, after all, Congress
refuse to do the will cf all such meetings. OF
what use is the liberty of the press, if Congress
and the officers Of Government refuse to obey all the
newspapers or even to read them? Every man who
understands the popular principles which gov
eminent is founded and who knows also the history
of the tyranny with which our fathers contended, will
understand what they meant by declaring that the
liberty to petition and to meet for discussion and to
use the press should never be nfringed in this
try They meant to establish rights which had been
denied them. The People had been precluded from
promulgating their opinions, and from organizing
themselves for the maintenance of their rights. BY
the right of petition they meant just what they sad
viz the right Of the people to combine and sign their
names by thousands to particular sentiment. This
right being secured, they knew that the right to be
heard would take care of itself If the Abolitionists,
therefore, not interrupted in circulating therpeti-
tons for signature they are not deprived of their
rights There is constitutional obligation resting
on any member of Congress to present petitions nor
on Congress to take any notice of them when pre-
sented
The course which shall be adopted with regard to
them depends, not upon right, but upon the expedi-
ency of the particular case; and certainly if there is
it is those which sent into Congress with the mis-
chevous design chiefly of fomentng discord.
In this view of the mater, we look upon the
of the Abolitionists and their agent Mr.. Adams,
opposed to the public good anti patriotic, and in every
point of view leprehensbIe. 1t is which the
Daon should frown, If it designs to perpetuate
friendly and conciliaoly government over our COM
mon county 1t IL too plain to require proof here,
that the object of the parties is 10 teaze and
the South, motive among the lowest which
NATE me A BIOL has lad it's Uav hagt
its Importance, and ceased TO BE- in its technical FORM
except for the purposes of these petitions and
and then the nomination of Governor ora Pres-
dent. As to Mr.. Adams his and the South have never
been friends. The South have always opposed him.
1t brought down the asprngs of his house, both in
the person of himself and his father. His passions
always exhibiting too many symptoms of maIignity
have been teazed by the South. They poured their
bitterest gall upon his Administration nd his fathers
and there is too much reason to think that fixed and
deadly hatred in return has taken possession of his
aged breast The position of the old man now, is
rhoIy