Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1842-02-08
DISSOLUTION or THE UNION.

dSsuHttlOH, dit llc l1i ucSpolloiu.- H. I<HI.
DISSOLUTION or THE UNION.
In the House of Representatives, Jan. u, Mr. J.
q. Adams presented petition, signed By rs ct-
zans Of HavcrhiIl. Massachusetts, praying for
d solution of the Union, of which The following is
copy -
ITO The CoNcnrss or rnr United STATES
The uuders .smed citizens Of llaverhui ia the Com
mouwealth OF Massachusetts, pray that yoa vii
immediately adopt measures peacably To dissolve
the Union of these States-
First: Because no union can be agreeable or per-
manent winch does not present prospects OF recip-
roca benefits.
''Sccond Because vast proportion OF the re-
sources OF one section OF the UuIon l. annually
drained 10 sustain the views and course of another
section without any adequate reiarn.
Third: Because Jldg'ng from the history OF
past nations. that Union, 1t persisted IN IA the pre-
set-cour-e OF ,jug~ VIII certainly orerwAelm the
. whole nation Ia utter dcstruetion.'
I The prcscutment of this petition created much
seXcitement among the members
Mr. Hopkins asked If it was in order to move
to bum that petition IN the presence of the House
The Speaker Sand it tor the House 10 decide
what TO 90 with IL.
Mr. Gilmer offered the fol owing resolution:
Resotced That 10 presenting Tor the consdc7a-
ton Of THIS House petition for the dissolution Of
the Union. the gentlcnau from Massachusetts, has
Justly Incurred tie censure of the House.
Mr.. Adams hoped that the resolution would be
received, and that he might be permitted 10 adj
dress the House IN his defence particularly as the
gentleman from Virginia ilr. Gllmerl had seen fit
- play second fiddle 10 his colleague.
Mr. liilmer lamid repeated and deatcning shouts
Of order. order.l said that lac played second fiddle
10 man; but that he hld been endeayorng 10
prevent the music of one.
Who in The course Of one revolving moon,
Was poet fiddler, statesman, and buloon.
IN angry debate ensucd y Inch lasted until the
House adjourned
On the 2Jth, The question again coming up, Mr.
Marshall offered the following substitute for
Mr.. GIlmer's resolution OF ccnsurc against Mr..
Whereas the Federal Constitution Is a permancut
form OF Government, aud at perpetual obligation,
until altered or modified in the mode pointed out by
that instrument, and the members Of tins House,
deriving their political character and powers from
the same, sworn Ia support n. and the dssoiu-
ton of the luion necessarily implies the deStruc-
Of that instrument, the overthrow OF the Amer-
can Republic and the extinction of cur National
existence: proposition, therefore, tn the Repre-
scu,atives f the People, 10 dissolve the Organic
Law framed by their constituents, and TO support
winch they arr, commanded by those constituents
be sworn, before they can enter upon The eNccu-
ton of the political powers created by IL. and en-
trusted 10 them. high breach of privilege.
contempt offered 10 this House, direct propos lton
to the Legislature, aud each member OF il, To com
NIT perjury and involves, necessarily. it, exc
cutlon aud y consequences tine destruction ot our
country and the cr me OF h ia treason:
RcsDircd, therefore. That the Hon. John q. Ad-
ans, member from Massachusetts. M presenting
for consideration of the House of Represent OF
;he United states. a petition praying the dissolu-
ton of the Union has of,-ed thr deepest ,udlgni
~ 20 the House Of which he Is member; an ln-u
to the people OF the | United Statcs of winch That
House Is the Leg .sialive organ and H. If TINS
outrage b. permitted To pass uurehuked and unf
lsncd, have d,gacrd his country. through Their
Representatives. ln the eyes of the whole world.
Rcsofrcd forthor, That the aoresad John q.
Adams, Tor tins insult. the first al the KIND ever OF
iercd TO thc Government, and tor the wound VI ca
he has permit ID To De- aimed, through lis nstru-
mentality. al thu Constitution and ~tence OF his
country. tine peace. the security. and Liberty of tie
people at these States. mlLt wei be held 10 merit
expulsion from the national councils; and the
House deem il an act 81 grace and mercy, when
they only ict upon him their SctercSt a., insure for
conduct - inter unworthy Of las past relations 10
the State, ard hi- present position. Ihs they
hereby do for the tutentuce Of the own purity
and dignity TOR the rest, they turn han over 10 las
own conscience ana the Indignation 4 all true
.Imcrlcm q izeus.
Tae debate WAS then continued by Messrs. Mar
shall. WI-e, hdams, aud others and was progress
ing at the lte,, dates We regret that we have
not room tins week crowded az We are by other
matter. To give even synopsis 81 what was sad ,
but shall aiiude 10 the subject next week. Mean
time leave readers 10 rel,c upon the facts.
rhai Whle Cay in one House is proposing 10 over
turn tie Constitution al the Umon, rs worthy
colleague Aniggery. more honest and bold. cor..y
presents IN the other, pe' ton Tor tie dissolution
Of tie Cslon itsef. In.s j. gong f5' 4 "oHA>cL'
with a vengeance