Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-12-29

solves of the Legislature of Massachusetts for an
amendment TO the Constitution Of the United States
to excide the representation OF Slaves; Of winch he
moved the printing (Which was cdrried) ana relc-
renee ID a Select COMMITTEE of Nine.
Mr.. jameson Of Missouri moved their %relerenc to the
Committee on the Judiciary, and, in The midst OF some
conversation thereon,
MIR Wise Cwho had been worrying himself and the
House, nno not only during the day but for about
three-quarnrs Of an hour, in opposition TO the reading
Of the petition above Upon which he hiinsel! hnhliy
insisted, but in a little different manner rom ,na, P.g J
posed ROSE, and with a tragi-comical AR remarked,
that his part of the country had been wholly worsted
in the fight and that hon~ceiorword, to-day ana ioreV-
err, he should cease the war IN this House ana oppose
nothing. b,t let the gentlemen from Massachusetts
(Mr. Adams) and those with him take their own
course upon this subject.
Mr.. Holmes, Of 5. G. said on the contrary, from
this day henceiorth, he should renew Inc Datie. TIC
was not in despair of the Republic. ,
Much excitement here prevailed, and Mr.. ii. debate
not being in order, was allowed 10, speak by a snspcn-
sion of the rules. He agreed with Mr.. w. that Inc
action OF the House had been any thing but ausplcious
to Southern rights, but instead Of relinquishlngn any
idea of giving battle, when it came with SO much po-
ten,ialitv from Massachusetts, who, had stood with
them shoulder TO shoulder III the mighty work OF dis,
enthtalment from a foreign foe, that the South ana
their property were no longer TO be represented on
this floor, as by the compromise of the Constitution
it had been provided, he icould sound TIE tocstn, ana
say t9his Southern friends, "gire battle at once!
Mr.. Wise explained that he was not to fold his arms
on the subject, but tina, this floor was not the proper
battle ground. The South was dwarfed by the cen
sis, and he intended 10 leave it to the majority OF tho
House-to the non-slaveholding States-to determine
their own action on the subject. From the oldest DIS
trict in Virginia, he assumed the responsibility offay-
ing " Gentlemen, take your course; abide, by the
Constitution and we will abide by you; we desire 10
abide by you forever to diet by that Union winch our
forefathers established, consecrated by the blood Of
heroes and the wisdom %ofsages. Infringe 1t, ana you
infringe our right and | call on God to protect all.
Mr.. Bcardsley thought that the true constitutional
,..-- - - H-l fhn hast m
to promote peace and harmony in The Union and quel
the excitement on the subject of abolition petitions
was to receive and lay them on the table if the House
has determined TO reject them, and il not prepared
thus TO decide, to refer them to a friendly Committee
and let them be responsible for n report upon them
II was a load they could not bear; when it came to an
infringement of the Constitution or n dissolution Of
the Union, there was not a Northern man here or a
nome, who would hesitate to take the ground so gal.
lantly occupied by Southern gentlemen. He would
not trench on the rights Of the South or their proper.
y represented here, but believed the best course wa.
TO recei!e and act upon these petitions.
MI. Weller of Ohio dissented from Mr.. Beardsley's
views, and vehcmently denounciug the idea Of receiv-
ing the petitions Of these fanatics,'' and defending
me present course of their exclusion. He considered
H. new discovery tina, the best way to put down
Abolition PETITIONS. was to do all they could to favor
them.
GThe three last gentlemen were respectively permit.
tea 10 speak under suspensions of the rule) Mr.. AID.
ans gave notice that if these exceptions were TO be ex.
tended. he should claim an opportunity of speaking.
A motion 70 adInurn, withdrawn 10 admit brief re-
marks from Mr.. French of Ky. upon the subject o.
debate, was soon renewed, and carried at n late hour
In the early part of the day, Mr.. Dean of Ohio gave
notice of the reintrolucrion of the celebrated bill No
549,' for the reduction of the pay of Members of Con.
gress.
Mr.. Barnard made an unsuccessful effort 10 suspent
the rules for the introduction of n rcsoiutonc a','ng or
the Secretary Of War for the report from me hofeal
of Topournphical Engineers on the survey OF the
Hudson and The Public Works therein above and be
low Albany.
s,,,ed in nv letter a few days >ince) give notice Of tn
amendment to the Constitution providing for the in
riioibllity of the President a second inc.
In Senate a Message from the resldent was recelv
ed, inclosing n communication from the Attorne
General in reference to the works in the Library.
Mr.. Atchison of Mo. introduced a bill for taclIIt5
ting and encouraging the settlement OF Oregon; II
, rerred to Select Committee of nine.
> Several resolutions OF inquiry OF the Department
r were adopted.
The bill to settle the title to the Pea Patch Islam
came ~. and after some conversation rs to The exp
-. diency of action thereon, was laid on the table for Il
present.
. After a brief Executive Session, the Senate at
iOurned.