The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-02-11
From the Journal " Coninnc
THE RIGHT OF PETITION.


THE RIGHT OF PETITION.
This subject il seems to u.s. is very much msln-
derstood by Mr. John Quincy Adams and the editor.
who support him in his yexatious course towards ic
South AT the same time, we are Of opinion tat ihe
members of Congress from'the South, while the prln-
MES they maintain are substantially correct, would
act more sagaciously if they would be more yledng.
What are the constitutional rights OF petite ners
What sort of notice Congress bound TO take 81 Pc
titions' Are they be und to receive, commit ss,
and vote upon every proposition "hic . sut ~ ',ei
in the form of a petition No one VIII advocate
such doctrine for il would make Congress ne mere
tool of schemers and boobies. On such pan, one
would have the right TO stop the business o. 'e
nation. How much attention, then, mas the Pet'-
toner right 10 claim from Congress- The whoie
practice of Congress, from the earliest existence OF
that body TO this day, declares that The only rule s
the discretion Of Congress, That body has refused
to receive petitions II has laid them on the table
as soon as received; committed them 10 COM
nittees, and discussed them on the floor, Just in
the opinion Of Congress the subject matter required.
Il il a 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 his fellow-citzens On the contrary, every mem
Der is bound exercise his discreto and take care
that he is not made eats paw TO do mischiei-
But of what use can it be to petition, il your Pc
tton is not to be heard' True; and still more, Of
what use is it to petition unless Congress will do what
YOU ask; Our rights must be so adjusted as not 70
overthrow each other; and certainly i the rlgh OF
petition is what Mr. Adams assumes that u ~ tlep
have the Abolitionsts the right TO set aside all othcr
rights but their own and employ Congress through
its whole session in discussing their propositions or
what use is the right peaceably to assemble for the
discussion of political subjects, IT, after all congress
refuse to do the will # all such meetings Ot
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 on which our gov
eminent is founded and who knows also the history
of the tyranny with which fathers commended, viii
understand what they meant by declaring that tie
liberty petition, and to meet for discussion, and 10
use the press should never be infrnged in this coun
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 ny
the right Of petition they meant just what they sand
viz the right of the people to combine and sign ner
names by thousands to particular sentiment ms
right being secured, thy knew that the right to be
heard would take care of itself If the Abotonists
therefore, not interrupted in circulating thelrpet-
tons for signature, they not deprived Of their
rights There is constitutional obligation resting
any member of Congress to present petitions, nor
on Congress to take any notice of them when pre-
sented.
he course which shall be adopted with regard TO
them, depends, not upon right, but ulon the expcdl
ency of the particular Case; and certainly II there is
any class petitions viii n entitled to hard usage
I lsthose WHICH sent into Congress with the ms
cbievous design chiefly, of fomenting discord.
In this view OF the ma Ter, we look upon the course
Of the Abo,onisis and their agent Mr.. Adams
opposed the public good, anii-paotic and in every
polpt of view ieprehensibe. 1t Is which the
patton should irown, il II designs to perpauate
friendly and concllia oiy government over our COM
mon county. II is too plain 10 require proof h re,
that the object of the parties is teaze and yex
the South, motive among the lowest whch can
'uate men Aboltonism has had its day. 1t has lost
its Importance, and ceased TO BE- in It's technical form
except for the purposes of these petitions and now
and then the nomination of Governor Posi-
dent. As to Mr. Adams his and the South haze never
been friends The South have always opposed him.
I 1t brought down the asprngs OF his house both N
the person of himself and his father His passions,
always exhibiting too many symptoms OF nalgnlty,
have been teazed by the South They poured Their
bteres gall upon his Administration nd his ithe $,
and there is too much reason to think that fixed and
deadly hatred in return has taken possession ofhis
aged breast. The position Of the old man now, is
melancholy,