Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-01-25
From the Globe, Jan. 6
CONGRESS.

CONGkESS
The abolition debate-under the new
form of a proposition to abolish the rule
which has hithei to, to some extent, saved
the time OF the House from being wasted
IN. the interminable discussion Of sub
ject Of which it has no constitutional au-
thority to take cosnizance-was contin-
ued to-day. Mr.. Duncan, of Ohio, occu-
pied the floor first; Mr.. Giidings replied;
Mr.. Aron Y. Brown, Of Tennessee, fol-
lowed Mr.. Giddings. and kept The fiooI
until the hour for calling up the order OF
the day arrived.
Mr.. Duncan held that the 21st rule.
excluding abolition petitions, was PERM
cious, and had failed to effect the object
for which it had been adopted; yet he
insisted that Congress had no right to
grant the prayer of abolition petitions.
or to abolish slavery in the District, I'M
less majority of the people in the Dis
trict petitloned for its abolition. He al
SO denied the right of the people of one
I State to interfere with the Institutions Of
another
1t is upon these admitted premises
that Congress acted in refusing to lend
itself as the instrument of agitation, and
enable the individuals in one State to in
terfere with an Institution in other State,
held inviolab:e by the Constitution.
The rule adopted by Congress does not
deny the right of petition 10 the people
of any State. The rule only denies the
right of Congress to make itself accesso-
4 ry, by taking any sort of action on these
petitions, to that interference with the
institution of slavery which they medi.
tate. Congress IS compelled to hear the
member presenting the petition state its
substance. This statement puts Con-
gress in possession of the fact, that it is
appealed to. as the agent for doing what
III considers the Constitution forbids it
to do. Congress then simply refuses to
60 any further in its action on the petit
ton. 1t neither approves nor condemns
1t, because ii holds that it has no power
over the subject, upon what principle
does it undertake to deal with it? to ded-
icate that time to an interdicted, matter,
while it leaves the important trusts COM
mitted to its hands by the Constitution
undischarged? When Congress is petit
toned to take under consideration sub
jects it has no constitutional right to
consider, if the petition is acted on it is
8 put above The Constitution; and this, in
effect, is to obey the voice of one, or a
few men, speaking through petition, in.
stead of the whole community speaking
, through the Constitution. We think
, Mr.. Duncan's premises defeat his con-
, clusioEs.
The views which Air. Duncan takes OF
the effect of abolition on the slaves, the
shareholders, and the non-slayehOlders.
are so striking, and so true, that they
were doubtless the consideration which
prompted that compromise in the Consti-
tuition intended to excommunicate it from
the halls of Congress-; and leave it to
that State legislation which, under Prov
! idence. has gradually ameliorated and
u removed the mischief from among us
: 1t never would have become theme OF
excitement in the national councils. bat
: for the political malcontents who seek to
> make capital out of it to accomplish sell
fish ends. Since. by these sinister
J means, it has begotten strife in the coun-
! try, the good and patriotic have endeav-
ored in various ways to deliver the halls
of Congress from becoming the scene in
which the excitement was annually "a
u be conjured up. The Senate has rid it
self of it altogether, BY invariably laying
!, the motion to receive such petitions or
the table. Whether resolute adhe.
renee to the 21st rule would not be e.
/ aually efficacious, we cannot say. II
: has pretty efectually relieved the House
! from much trouble since its passage
;; The Senate's practice, however, would
:. probably answer the end as we'll. II
would certainly evince more considera,
s ton for the feelings of the South, ant
Il its representation on the floor of Con
y gress, than to receive and refer petitions
+ which the whole mass of the people
! there. ard their members here, consider
!. palpable violation Of the Constitution, as
y we'll as of their rights
/ The bill refunding the fine paid by
General Jackson was debated until the
I close of sitting. Messrs. Weller Of Obi
}; o. Douglass and McClernand Of Illinois,
}; on the Democratic side of the House,and
u Mr.. Dickinson of Tennessee, a Wing
: member, discussed the question elabo-
s rateIy. We were not present at the de.
q bate, but learn that the bill never was
more ably and eloquently supported.
e From the same, JAN s.
n The Senate, to-day. was occupied tc
}. late hour in discussing the resolution
&c submitted by MIR. Allen last Thursda,
/: week. calling upon the Presiden. Of th'
r United States to report TO the ,Senat
!; copies of any instructions which ma
have been given by the Executive to tn
!. American minister to England. on th
t subject Of the title to The Oregon. sine,
n the 9TH Of March. 184l; and copies 0
* any correspondence which passed be
= tween this Government and that 0
Great Britain in relation to that subject