Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-12-27

Ter Of attorney 10 act certain subjects; and its legs
ative con in regardt, oil other matters is inhibited
The right Of petition in individuals (ahoush unlimit-
ed in This country must when demanding legislation,
be adde's ed 10 the gsati:e bodies competent
,p.tain the mater 10 be eaislatsd upon The right
petition, hen employed TO BRING before Congress sub
iacts on v CHI Congress is forbidden to act,
la.gs the p,wsrs ct Congress- and cnale I TO rccev"
aud enera.n and refer matter for the action of IL,
committees, the body Itself, which the Constitution
| denies IL the power TO touch.
| The m,iaritv in Congress- nay almost every member
Of tody from the beginning of the Governme Mt
have held that the abolition of slavery does not come
within the scope of ia powers. What right has Con
yess Il take action upon in any way, by discussing
H. or referring reporting upon 1t; The people have
right petiton and they have right 10 redress, ioo
from The power authorized to gran,it. But these rights
the people confer right 10 entertain petitions about
grievances regard to which they have authority
TO l-rsate at ell. Ii is the duty OF Congress ID
isten to abolition petitions, because 1t has different
duties assigned to It, and because II has no right TO
touch discuss any topic not assigned ID 1t by the
Constitution. The Roman Catholics might petition
Congress for an nGu'stion 10 Potes'ans 10
render what mig lit be characterized their hsresy: and
the Protestant sects might petition for ts'-oaths !"
compel the Catholics to abandon their religion. We
deny however, that such petitions could he const tu-
tionally entertained by Congress in any way, by re-
ceiying referring, reporting upon, or ,akinga solitary
step legislation calculated To assume jurisdiction IN
regard to the mater proposed.
In justice 10 alr. Wise, We mus: say, That he has
baen very badly reported in oil the papers. He ex-
pressed himself very enGnenty and briefly and A.
though, where long speech is made, what IL ant
sketch, cannot do justice ~ il, yet he had right
To expect, when little said, and well SAID that
it should have been literally reported. Long seeches
in our sketches must necessarily be narrowed down II
an outline.-[ Globe
WAsnIxGTos, Dec. g. 1913
Gentlemen An editorial remark of the Gil be OF
last night, compes me 10 ask Tor the Justice OF corrcc
ton al your hands You say "Mr. Weller and MIR
French both urged, with great strength Of argument
this view against the proposition OF Mr.. Wise, sup
ported by Mr.. Beatd.lty 10 receive all Mr.. Adams
ns;dous and treacherous propositions looking 10 the
violation Of the Constitution. In word this nters,
from my course and remarks yesterday in the House,
tina. had proposed /, receive Abolition Petitions NC
No wonder, gentlemen, you made this mistake tor
not 4 word wich did say Yesterday this subject,
has been correctly reported in cit of the newspapers
in this city of this morning. The substlnce of what
did say was, that by the Of proceeding which
the House had taken upon Abolition petitions, under
the twenty.fitth rule, my constituents were Likely
10 be Injured and the South had already been
worstcd by the conduct Of the this course
of proceeding By the House that he'd engaged in
THIS mode OF resistance long enough I, find It idle
and vain; and that, henceur,h and forever, would
cease to engage, in Ma. House III the strife the sub
ject: | should leave the majority from the nons!ave
holding States to take into their own hands
and take the responsibility Of those measures did
not say would for the select committee proposed
by Mr. Adams, but that would prefer that the gentle
man should be INDUCED in all his DESIRES in respect 10
select committee and in all respects il the minority
were determined 10 entertain the subject at all II the
petitions and propositions o.! the character he offered
ieere be recfrtd alt desired 10 be fully apprlsed
of all the ends had by the friends OF abolition
did no, concur even will! Nj Beadsey. was Ut
;ey opposed 10 receiving petitions OF the character o.
feed but If the rule re ect ng them 10 be only par
TALLY enforced all the mischief would be done as II al
petitions and propos tons abolish slavery II be
admitted. And wien obtained the floor in the second
instance, endeavored expressly TO explain that gldsd
nothing my meaning was 10 pursue only more ell
fectua course Of resistance insult and infringement
upon the rights Of my constituents than to contend any
longer upon points of order and construction OF
rules in That House. would contest nothing with Mr.
Adams | would only wat and what majority
from the non sla veholding States would do, either
10 protect or 10 invade the rights Of the South which
had been dwarfed by the census The question was,
whether they would prcserve the CONSTITUTIONS protect
the minority, and perpeluae the Union or disregard
and dest,oy all | withdrew no opposition wllaerer to
the reception of abolition papers, 50 far from making
proposition to receive them. This explanation VIII
remark occasoncd by the incorrect reports Of the &C.
bates Of the House; and would much prefer not TO be
reported at all rather than be carcaured have been
for years by the reports of both the nellgeneer and
the G lobe By this however, impute no bad design
the editors OF either press Nor do know that their
re porters designed 10 re port what say incorrectly.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
HENRY A. WISE.