The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-22


The proceedings in the House on Thursday
should startle every Southern man from his
slumber
Mr. WISE seeing the determination Of the
wlre-workers and party managers, as indicated
by MIR. Beardsey, who is regarded as Mr. Van
Buren's special organ in the House, TO court the
favor OF the AbolitionistS by sacrificing the
South, or admitting petitions asking for viola
ton OF the Constitution, which guarantees the
rights of the Soulh-gave solemn notice that,
since the Democratic majority had determined
to admit Abolition petitions, henceforh he would
not oppose their reception but that he would
appeal directly to the PEOPLE Of the South TO
rise up in vindcaton of their rights.
Mr.. Wise has long stood in the breach, and
opposed the reasonable designs of the Abolition
lists, almost single-handed. And when, for the
purpose Of securing tanalIcal vote for their
candidate, the party managers do not hesitate to
sanction the wicked projects Of the Abolition
lists, it is no wonder that the champion OF South
ern interests should despair Of OBJ aiming justice
at the hands ofpollicans. The question now
arises, which will you follow, the Constitution
or the party?
MIR. HOLMES true to the South and the Con-
sttulon. he sill he confessed with the gentleman
! from Virginia Mr. Wise) that the action of this
House had been my thing but suspicious to Southern
rights and be said to his Constituents, that day after
day waves had been rolled from the North that
threatened to overwhem them. If his voice could
reach them he would say, that far from reiinq uish
ing this apcr in the country the idea of giving
! n.f he pnIt haf hat,I
once; foI L not Ia be mistaken when the d GAL
liant and venerable Commonwealth of Massachusetts
which had stood shoulder 10 shoulder wuh them in
the mighty work Tia had dissent rallied us from for.
egn dom mon sald 10 he South longer shall your
represe. talon tis floor be that fixed by The com
promise which adopted the Cons'iiutlon-that YOU
and your property shall not hencetor be considered
on this flo when thls declaration came with So
much potenallty, he SAID every Southern man.
grid up your IONS put your armr prepare for bat
rle and he sotn you get it, not OF parties but OF
faclons. Mr.. II. underst Cd to saw the sooner
you get the rights your tatAers sub nit ed you and
which that venerable, and he must say respected
Commonwealth aided us in the day Of trial to con-
| summate and secure.
| Mr. WISE again rose, and spoke for several
minutes He said
By pursuing thus this course of ceasing resistance
here, 10 what lie considered upon his constitu-
ens, he had not meant that he should fold his
aims upon this question, bu that lie not salts
fed, as friend of the people whom he represented,
with the manner in hich the war upon their
! rights had been conduc,ed-not to-day or yester-
] day, but f years here. This not the battle
ground Legislation had been retarded long enough
the feelings of the members of this House had been
lrr ated long enough, by such trash this petition
was made OF. Ii was too grave too solemn matter,
to be involv in these ptul issues of points of order
that had raised this fearful question: that he feared
would raise a hurricane in this country yet He
should use different mode of warfare: that was ALL
Instead Of calling upon the Speaker to decide wha,
were admitted and what Were not admitted, instead of
asking for the rule, he intended to leave it 10 the ma
Joniy OF this House TO The majority of this nion to
the Represent atiSes from The ehoding States
TO dec de the matter. The South had been dwarfrd
by he census; and whether the Representative upon
this floor would protect the rights of he minority from
insult and infr cement that was, whe her there wa
to be constitutional rcpresentaon-h would X
gentlemen to stick to tie IetteI-Shoulh not be ques-
lion hGret IN cortice any longer He assumed The IT.
spoons Oilty IN SAYING, Tepu senting he he old
est district IN Virginia Gentlemen, take your rse
abide by the constitution and we ABIDE 10y you, we
desire to do; we dese to ABIDE by YOU orever-to die
by that Union which iortfatners established con-
secraied by the bod of heroes and the wisdom IF
sages. Infringe II, and ia infringing il you infringe
oui rights and call upon God to protect ali"
Mr.. WISE was replied to by Mr.. BEARDsLEY,
of n. Y, who advocated the reception OF all
kinds of Abolition petitions.
Mr.. WELLER earnest in his request for leave
to speak in reply TO Mr.. Beardsley and on motion
he permitted to proceed. He commenced by
expressing in the strongest his dissent from
the doctrine laid down by the honorable gentleman
from New York, viz that the best way to put down
the abolItionist, of the country was TO encourage
them by receiving their petitions Il was very true
the gentleman had stated, that there had once be
time when these petitions were received and
referred, aud elaborate report upon them m due
time made TO the House. And what had been the
RESULT At the very next session fifty thousand more
petitions had come IN. The gentleman from New
York had made great discovery, viz that oncourag.
ing these people in their hellsh designs against the
Constitution and the peace and stability of the Union
was the only etiectua mode of prostratng them -
This was certainly very grand discovery The boot
way TO PROSTATE design is 10 give il every encour
ag, ment in your power. 1t was certainly novel
mode Of proceeding. The House was 10 receive
from these fanatics all the stuff they chose 10 send TO
IT IN the shape of petitions and memorials and then
by report 10 convince them by the force Of args
ment that they ought to abandon their revolutionary
projects No; TINS not the remedy IL was
the very way 10 increase the evil. Why were pc.
utons ever referred TO committees on any subject
was that the committee might examine into the facts
and the House, by having these presented in succnct
form, might be enabled TO act understandingy in the
case But If gentlemen we're determined To refuse
me unconstitutional prayer these abolition petit
] t'. ~ NSo''S ,"Nui lue Seutltmdn ndo Ifelly
broadly animated that in refusing 10 receive these
papers, The House had been guilty Of a violation of
the Constitution. Now, Mr.. W. claimed to have
quite as warm and as decided regard for the Con-
stitution OF country, and every provision ii con.
tanned, as the gentleman from New York himself or
as any other member on that floor And he must say
that, alter such declaration Of opinion on the part
OF the ntleman from New York Mr. w should be
very unwilling TO appeal TO the gentleman TO
decide Tor him the constuonality or unconstution.
atty of amy question. DIR w. claimed 10 Judge of all
such quest Us for himself In regard to these aboli.
non mem rails he knew perfectly well that the OBJ
ject Of those who kept pouring them upon Congress
was nothing short Of dissolution Of this Union And
let but their papers be received here with respect
referred TO committees Of the House and followed by
discussion on shvery m that Hail. and their object
would ere long be accomplished
Mr.. BEARD'LEr rose to explain, and having OBJ.
tanned momentafy possession Of the floor for that pur.
pose dIscIaimed .Inlending IN anN nGensiyl sens ~