Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-12-25

only ehectusl mode OF prostratng them! This was ee
tainly very grand discovery. The best PROSTATE
design give IL every encouragement in power
IL was certainly novel mode OF proceeding. The House
these all the stuff they chose
Ia send the shape petitions and memorials, and
then by convince them by the force o argument
that they ought to abandon their projects No
this the remedy. TWAS the increase the
evil Why petitions reerrcd to committees ON any
subject IL was that the committee might examine into
the facts and the House. by having these presented IN
sneenc, form, might be enable TO act underandinsiy IN
the But gentlemen determined 10 refuse the
Unconstitutional prayer OF these abolition petitions, why
receive them The gentleman had pretty broadly intnia
ed that in refusing receive these papers the House had
been guilty OF violation Of the Constitution. Now, Mr.
W. claimed 10 have quite warm aud decided regard
for the Constitution at his country and every provision II
contained, toe gentleman from New York himself,
other member that floor. And he say that. al
such declaration ut opinion the part at the gentle
from New York. MIR. w. should be very unwilling
appeal to the gentleman TO decide for him the constitution
aliiy unconsututo1aliy Of arg question. Mr.. w.
claimed Judge of al ouch questions Tor himself In
gard 10 these abolition ,mofias he knew perfectly well
that the object OF those who Kept pouring them upon Con-
gress nothing short dissolution OF tins Union
And let bu, their papers be received here with respect
ened the House, and followed by dis
slavery that Hall, and their object would
| long be accomplished.
| Mr. BEARDSLEY rose to explain, and having obtain.
ed momenay possession OF the floor for that purpose dis
claimed Intending offensive charge
ston OF the Constitution those who voted receive
abolition memorials He did, isdecd, believe that all
such the night petition n
a,od but he had accused gen
uemen OF wiliuly violating the Constitution they had
/ support.
| Mir WELLER resumed The gentleman had under
taken speak of Northern people generally. dstn-
guhed in tins the people OF the South and
that relation the Northern people would be understood,
generally IN the largest and covering the people II
the West aise Now. At such be taken the
OF the geniemans language, all Mr. w could tha,
he had very incorrectly represented the sentiments Of the
region from which MIR. W. lie had met this entire
question before his constituents and he had pledged himself
deeply them before God that ms cor, should be
aNed 50 long he had voice here TO resist, oppose with
stand, and IN all and by all lawful put down.
the miserable fanatics who mady sought burn down this
the temple constitutional liberty. The gentleman
had certainly represented the feelings OF the
people who had given Mr.. w. 4 IN that hall. That
people expected and demanded him that the
single effort should be made that looked towards the
abomlnabe objects these petitioners had IN view he should
o. the threshold with determined, open, uncom-
promising resistance The people Of the North, he
well assured, would bC disposed invade the
rights Of the Southern States than submit
OF and West would aid Nor
them Representatives tramplng the rights Southern
property than they would combine with Southern Repre-
senUtVcs To tread down the rights OF the North. They
ready and would show themselves quite prompt,
ight defence OF The other. For one, hc
settled the belief that the rejection OF these rebrand
ttous the only preserve the temple OF Union
from coniagraton; and long ms constituents gave him
voice m that House, before the God who made HIM lac
~Sore that they might rely his unng and his
unfiagging zeal resisting all wicked ncendiary
attempts the peace the county. lie stood for
the equal nights o ALI and he ;eAdy withstand the
people OF the North attempts Southern freedom
ne just ready the people OF his beloved
rights either OF the South or the North.
Mr.BElSER said that the hour late and tue House
seemed IN INT humor discuss topic OF TINS character
he woald move an adjournment.
Nj FRENCH, being very anxious speak, requested
Mr. b. 10 withdraw the motion, pedging himself
II IS soon as he should have closed hls remarks.
On that Pile &c Mr.. BELSER withdrew the motion.
And Mr. FRENCH having obtained from the House an
extension Of the leave already given gentlemen who had
Mr. ADAMS observed that he hoped a. indulgence was
thus given, 1t would IN like be extended him.
Mr.. FRENCH, after expressing his thanks for the per-
mission he enjoyed went osay that he had,
ing hs here taken solemn oath support the Con.
suuuon Of the United States; and purpose rising
prove, m as few words possible that receive
abolition memorials would be violation of that sacred
instrument lie happy find that the House not
ndsPoSed TO hear some that point though
they came from savehoider but tins might be, doubt
tess vas to be attributed 70 the intrinsic importance OF the
subject IN which Union was in some
measure involved lie was happy too, that the Consuiu.
non aa h'u every gentleman present under the
an oath Tor Its preservation. while Heaven had planted
conscience in every bosom. lie desired present briefly
view Of the Constitution, which, when duly weighed
would be found entitled respect lie had long desired
that certain idea furnishing exposition OF the Consi
Hon ON the point involved IN the debate, should
be duly understood. He would state at once and he
hoped that the venerable gentleman from Massachusetts
hr ADASs) who had asked advance the leave of the
House TO submit some further remarks would IN due time
respond TO IL Mr. r. called or the reading of the follow
ing clause IN the Constitution which read accord
/ ingy:
Representatives and direct tnxes shall be npportioned
among the several States which be included within this
Union according To their respective nunber- which shall
be determined by adding the whole number OF free per-
sons, including those bound service for term Of yenrs
and excluding Indians taxed, thToes all other per-
sons"
Th the clause virtue Of which three .ihs of t.
slave population OF the Southern States rcprcsen-
ted IN that House, in addition other descriptions OF
persons enumerated Now, fhe persons sending abolition
petitions 10 Congress could only get way provision
would be stricken OF Cons tuion and that portion
OF Southern representation which now rested ON three fts
OF the slave population must be cut Off and in that proper
stf fItf-s GFyN.a
mend before hIm Represented part louizi
ana Now, suppose, tor illustration sake should turn
out on examination that threeihs the slaves in that
SI'i should he equal 10 the white population; then, in the
result Of striking this ieatu.e Of the Constitution Louis
ana must lose Just oneha OF her present population. THIS
consideration went, IN ms md prove that the reception
Of all petitions abolish slavery and slave representation
was unconstitutional, and, such, he felt himself bound
reSstit.
There other which he wished now to pre-.
sent lie took as proposition granted both sides
the House. well by the friends the opponent, of abo
ton, that far the States concerned Congress had
no power 10 touch the question Of slavery Very well;
FAR 50 good. But he not content 10 stop here lie
went further lie maintained me proposition that Congress
mas no power 10 abolish slavery in the District Of COunba
and this especially the question TO which he dc cir
90 invite the sober judgment Of gentlemen the House.
He asked whether Congress had power by a 10 creote
religious establishment in the District of Columbian or 10
proyoni in that District Could by law create titles Of
nobility within this District deprive the people of the
District Of the trial by iuryi abrdgc there the liberty Of
speech or Of the pressl No this pretended But
why had Congress such powerl Because limitations
Of the power Of Congress laid down ia the Constitution
forbade IT. Did they not hen forbid these things much
IN the District Of Columbia within the Satesl Gentle
men answered and in support of their POSITION quoted
the extensive, almost Unlimited power over tie District
granted IN ihe following ciaise:
"To exercise exclusive legislation IN oil cases whatso-
such district mot exceeding ten miles sare a.
may, 10y cessiOn Of particular Ssto- and the accenee OF
Congress, become the seat Of Government Of The Omitted
fFHtcs."
n all eases whatsoever" These words were greatly rr
feAuPoni md - was c1afrned n Congress could oxcr.
else the same rights Of legislation over Ills District ay
state Legislature could exercise State Admitting
TIN; su!l hc insisted that II power Of legislation
subject a. MI the restrictions imposed 10y the Constitution
on the legislation Of C1ngrcss. Now he held hat the
Constitution unit in granting md restricting these
legislative pOwers; and Congress 900 less a unit In
exercising them and, therefore, act when II woud or
where 1t would t mus act under the limits pre-.
scrbed 90 H. II ~ commended thai these limitations
were imperative within these ten miles square, then,