The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-01-13

That gentleman brought forward another question,
and introduced high authority-Mr. Madison-that
the House might receive petition, although part
may be objectionable, aud demurred from the opinion
Of The Chair ON that subject; but he MIR H. bnes-
cd the decision OF the Chair correct under the
rules and he had before asserted this House has
the Constitutional power 10 receive reject petitions
as M ITS judgment may seem proper. lie had exam
med into the progress OF Abolition throughout the
Union and declared in his opinion, that slavery was
justified by the laws Of God aud the laws OF mar,
and denied that II was "grsai moral and political
epii.n
But. in his humble opinion be had produced prece.
dents which concusycly showed that, after the Bill
Of Rights in England in 1858, standing rule Of the
British Parliament had been adopted which excluded
petitions; and he had also given precedent in the
American Senate, which must for put this sub
ject TO rest with the American People.
The English Bill OF Rights simply TO do away
with the power Of oppression 10 the subject, and TO
protect them in assembling together without incur
ring The pains and penalties OF lawthus far II went,
and no farther, and he challenged gentlemen 10 show
that IL went beyond this point.
There is a clause in the Federal Constitution which
guarantees each State from domestic Violence"
and said that the daily agitation of Abolition in this
Hall had tendency to excite domestic violence"
IN the States, which was fragrant and unJustifabe
infringement upon that instrument, and that this
House ought not, in good faith to the South, who
came into the Union under the broad mantle OF the
compromises Of the Constitution, to receive
entertain these Abolition petitions.
MIR. b said, Southern man, he would have
this rule, or no rule at ALL The Constitution gave
this House the power to receive or reject, and no
matter how other Southern gentlemen went, his de-
mand was rule, or no rule not rule to receive but
TO reject the vile trash thrown in here to the
seeds Of discord and disunion. But he hoped they
would all stand up here like men and defend the
rights of their people, and not yield inch upon
this subject. His advice TO them was not TO touch
the unclean thing
Mr. b. said he never listened TO the venerable
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. J. q. Ad
ams) but with the most profound respect for
his learning and his public character knowing that
the best blood Of the American Revolution run
ming through his veins, and he on the verge of life
When the venerable gentleman, the other day, called
the attention of the House to the Declaration Of
American Independence, he thought to himself, can
YOU whose father took such part in the history Of
those times, for one moment longer persist in the
course you pursuing, and thus blot out his name
which stood SO prominent in the galaxy of American
statesmen lie appealed to him to desist in the
course he pursuing, which is fast Fastening this
Government to q crisis, and which will end in
desolaton.
In conclusion, he admonished the House to be-
ware of its action this subject and stated that if
the time should arrive when the compromises Of
the Constitution to slavery should be abandoned
the majestic Potomac, whose shores they now
stood, might still continue to roll its waters by the
tomb of the Father of his Country, TO the ocean, but
il would be that the spiritess American might walk
among the tombs of their forelahers and look around
on the last yestige Of human Liberty. When that
crisis arrives in affairs, :" the mountains which
divide shall be the dark mountains of death--the
streams which flow between, like the waters Of
Egypt, shall be turned into blood
Mr.. COBB made able and eloquent speech upon
the subject and passed a handsome eulogium upon
the Northern Democracy for the devotion heretofore
cd in Cavn Of therp uhY nd hopa tba,
would not now desert them The morning hour ex-
pred
The SPEAKER then presented several Executive
communications, which were appropriately disposed
of.
Mr.. ADAMS moved to suspend the rules.
The motion was not entertained at the time.
After the reading Of the Executive communica-
TONS
The SPEAKER asked Mr.. Adams if he should put
his motion 10 suspend the rules so as to allow Mr.
Cobb to finish his speech But MIR. A. Withdrew it
al the request of several members
Mr.. CHAPMAN introduced private bill, which
was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON moved that the House re-
solve itself into Committee of the Whole
Mr.. WINTHROP took the Chair.
Mr.. JAMESON took the floor, and spoke at length
in favor Of the improvement Of the Western waters,
and in favor of Western interests.
Mr.. A. STUART moved that the committee rise
The SPEAK Err took the Chair.
MIR. WINTHROP reported TO the House that the
Committee Of tho Whole on the state Of the Union
had had the Union generally under confederation
aud particularly the Presidents Message and he
instructed to report that they had TO concu
sion thereon.
Mr.. BURKE asked the leave Of the House to
withdraw from the files of the House certain papers
n relation to private claim, which granted and
referred TO another committee.
mfr Init
calling upon the Secretary Of the Navy for norma-
ton for the reasons why the call in August 1912,
had not been answered before.
MIR. CAMPBELL objected, and said that the reso-
luton cast a reflection upon the Secretary.
Mr.. DICKINSON moved that the House adjoun,
but withdrew IT at the request Of Mr.. CAVE JoHs-
SON.
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON then moved suspension
Of the rules which decided in the negative.
desutory debate here took place between
Messrs Weller, c. Johnson, and others, which
inaudble.
motion was then made that the House adj
joun.
And the House adjourned.