The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-01-05

I
hunted extent and the Law remained upon The statute
book until 1868 when il was modified 10 prevent dis
turbanccs
He read from the Virginia Resolutions and Bill OF
Rights, which maintained that the right OF petition
nalienable aud said II was not for Congress TO
decade what were the grievances Of the People but
themselves; because the Constitution says eN-
pressly that Congress shall pass law TO abridge
this right.
When these petitions come here, we can exercise
our Judgment, and dispose Of them in such manner
As the wisdom OF Congress may think proper, and
when petition is presented requesting Congress 10
do all unconstitutional act we can refuse TO comply
But the object OF this rule is TO exclude all petitions,
some parts of which may be constitutional and others
not, which causes the whole petition TO be thrown out
because il comes within the rule. We bound
to consider the parts which constitutional, and
disregard the others. In the very first Congress, IN
1885, resolution in relation TO suppression of the
slave trade was introduced, and that body passed a
resolution affirming that they had not the right In
1908, Congress again passed resolution affirming
that they had right TO interfere with the subject,
because they had no power TO act Al that time, Mr.
Madison was member OF the House, and the vote was
two to one In favor OF the resolution affirming that
they had not the power TO act But the denial of the
right OF petition not mooted al that day, but II
has grown up within the last two years aud he
tended that If petition was unconstitutional 1t was
40 reason why il should be driven out Of the doors Of
this House. His convictions were firm and rresis-
Bile in favor of the right Of petition; and he
warm IN his attachments to the Union and the Con-
stItulion the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Black
but while he freely admitted this, he not in favor
OF passing law abolishing slavery in the District of
Columbia; yet he believed that Congress had the
constitutional power to abolish slavery in all of the
territ Ires, and the District of Columbia.
II slavery was not in existence in the South, and
for which they not to blame they would not be in
favor of this evil.
MIR. BLACK. Neither myself nor my constituents
believe slavery to be an evil.
Mr.. BEARDSLSY said he did not wish to inter-
iere with the constitutional rights Of the South, he
merely alluded to the subject In illustration of his
views. lie was opposed TO exercising the power
becase It would conflict with the rights of the States
OF Maryland aud Virginia. but he was firmly con
WINGED that Congress had the constitutional power to
abolish slavery in the District of Columbia
He said he was sorry to have heard the remarks Of
his colleague II. d. Davis] a few days ago declar.
ing that if the South, of their own accord, were
to abolish slavery he would be for dissolution Of
Union" He did not concur with such sentiment
because when the cession of this District was made
by Virginia and Maryland, slavery was obligatory
| until Congress should otherwise determine and at
the cession Congress passed act making the
laws of Virginia and Maryland binding upon the re-
speclve portions of the District so ceded and that
law was in effect TO this day. Congress by that &C,
legalizcd slavery in this District But the exclusive
Jurisdiction given to Congress by the Constitution over
|
questionable right to abolish slavery.
Mr.. BLACK Can Congress establish an order Of
nobility
Mr.. BEARDSLEY. That power is expressly
prohibited by the Constitution but exclusive juris-
diction is granted to Congress over the District OF
| Columbia, and Congress exercise all powers
which are not prohibited. The power to abolish
slavery is clear satisfactory and explicit, and Con-
gress take the slave from his master with oil
without paying for him. just as it pleases but situa
ted the District is between Maryland and Virginia
he was not in favor OF exercising that power. He
believed the resolutions Of the State Of Massachu
sets were constitutional, and if carried out would
not dissolve the Union II could not be dissolved b,
such fmsy pretexts; and he only adverted to The
subject because it had been before the House.
lie wanted the Committee on the Rules to report
to the House, and leave out this rule which restrict
ed the right of petition. II petitions were respectful
in their character IT was the bounden duty Of the
House TO receive them and then dispose Of them in
such manner as II shall deem meet and proper The
non-reception OF these petitions had created more
excitement in the country upon this subject thar
would have taken place if they had been received
and referred and report made, which would have
restored harmony and peace between the North and
South. Let us stand upon the broad platform of the
Constitution and We all shall he united, free and
happy.
Mr.. CLINGMAN, of North Carolina said from
the anxiety he evinced TO get the floor some gentle
but such not the fact. He said he had been de
nounced a renegade 10 the South by some new
paper, for which he did not care In this coun,r,
the high prerogatiye Of the people the right Of
petition according TO The Constitution, but Congress
had abrogated that right TO certain extent by the
rejection Of petitions Of a certain character but in
all monarckes the right of the subject petition had
been maintained in its purity, whilst in the District
OF Columbia they could not exercise the right of pc
ti,ion because they have right 10 representation
I..,l 10 a. he
l(abo,on)are harmless things, and he had always look
ed upon them in that light He did not care how
many Of them came here, while there was major
ity in this House opposed TO their views. He did no
believe there was an aboronist on this iloor-a
least all deny being abotionists IL bill should b.
brought forward to abolish slavery in the District o
Columbia, be believed that nineteen out of twent,
would vote against tin fact, he believed Their,
would be a unanimous vote against it, Mr.. Charlie
Rogers, Of New York, shook his head lie made
military flourish, and asked If il right for III,
South to place their allies in a position TO be sho
down. aud related anccdoie of some military hero
illustrative of his position. He did no, believe tina
England was so anxious aboui the abolition Of slave
ry In the United Stptes asserted by some per
sons, because she had not abolished slavery in tn.
East Indies.
/ Mr.. HOLMES, Of South Carolina. By an orde,
issued at Madras, she has liberated her East Ibdil
slaves. ...
Mr. CLINGMAN. I thank you for the informa
ton. did not know il before.
Mr. G. continued. In regard TO The feeling at tn,
South, he knew II was very much excited, and he be
lieycd il was produced from the fact tina, they ar,
led TO believe that nearly one-half of this House TAX
sides with the abo oniss But he had found il TO b.
othcrw ise. lie did not know the feeling of the PEG
pie Of the North, except what had been stated by Mr.
Hamlin, who, he was extremely glad had stated hi
views so pa and decisive. He knew that SOM
gentlemen from the South opposed to his views
and he had expressed them against their solicitations
but he hoped this question would be debated with
spirit Of forbearanoe He did moi charge imprope
motives to Others, who had pursued different course
and he hoped the same liberality would be extende
TO him He took his seat thanking the House for it
kindness.
Mr.. DUNCAN, Of Ohio, said be wanted to max
a few remarks but as ID was late he moved In