The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-12-28

matory addresses in the shape OF petitions the
press 10 open 10 them they can even address
their petitions in the shape OF printed circulars
TO individual representatives in Congress, which
will be transmitted pos. free, aud be laid ON the
desks Of the members: and they have represen-
tatives in Congress, ready to avail themselves
OF every opportunity TO promulgate Their aoc-
trnes aud perform their bidding 10 that body
There is no suffering, therefore, no privatlon,
sufficient TO justify the continued agitation OF
an exciting constitutional question. which mere
is no tribunal TO decide, other Than that which
has already repeatedly and deliberately decided
But, we repeat, that there has neither been
any actual suffering or privation inflicted nor
auy right violated. The words OF the Const-
tuition are !, /" Congress shall make no law re-
speciing an establishment of religion, or prohio-
Ting the free exercise thereof, or abridIlng the
freedom of speech, OF Of the press or the right
of the People peaceaby TO assemble, and to Pc
ttion the Go, eminent for a redress OF grey
ances."
Now, a resolution or rule Of either House, is
not a law of Congress, aud cannot have The elect
Of one: il can operate only within the precincts
of the Hall in which il is adopted. Each
House must necessarily have the means OF pre-
serving itself in pcaceable existence, aud 10 The
discharge of its constitutional functions II
therefore has the right expressly granted to
determine the rules of lis proceedings" IL has
a right to determine the course which II shall
adopt with regard TO petitions, after the People
have peaceably assembled and made them; and
this is all that the House of Representatives has
pretended TO do.
II would be absolutely necessary for Congress
to adopt rules :" abridging" the rights claimed
Ii would be an abrdement Of II 10 designate or
limit any time for the presentation OF petitions
1t would be an abridgment Of it to insist that
petitions should be in writing, and not oral. II
such right exists, therefore, the Constitution
must necessarily be violated in regulating the
exercise OF il.
But it is urged that, if Congress refuse TO re-
ceive petitions, there would be no use IN making
less. This is not so, in point of fact for petit
tons may be addressed TO The members indivld-
ually, But al any rate, the argument would
prove too much for it would prove that Con-
gress ought not only to receive, but read, debate
and decide upon all petitions presented 10 them,
no matter what might be their number, length,
or character.
Mr. Adams seems to think, that all these petit
tons ought 10 be reported upon by the commit
tees, though he does not exactly insist on II as
tight. In regard to the absurd fanatica petit
ton recently presented, he said ''the petitioners
were perhaps mistaken, perhaps requiring some
counter argument, some expostulation, some
report OF committee at least" To charge
Congress with the task of enlightening
all The ignorance, dispellng all the haluci-
nations, or expostulaling with all the perversity'
which prevails in the country, would be 10 as.
sign to it the duties. of schoolmas ers, or mad
doctors, and not of legislators. One madman
would have as much right to present him, elf 10
be cured as another. 1t is enough, we think,
for Congress TO have 10 deal with the infrm
noodles and perverse minds TO be found some
times within the walls Of the Capitol. One of
them, indeed, is quite sufficient 10 keep one
House well employed