The Northern galaxy, and Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1843-1844, 1844-01-03
WASHINGTON, Thursday, Dec. 81.

ed with the presentation of Abolition pc
iitions by Mr.. Adams, and the adventur-
Gus attempt of Southern veterans as well
as those less experienced 10 thwart him IN
his curse, have to-day towards the close
of the sittingl given way TO graver and
more interesting debate upon the direct
question of the reception or non reception
of Abolition petitions and the course po-
litic and proper to be pursued thereon at
the present crisis.
The petition yesterday presented By Nr.
Adams from Illinois for the scknowledg-
emont by Congress ofthe authority OF Je.
hovah and the securing 10 each ln1Ividual
in the United States the "self evident "
" truths of the Declaration Of lndepend>
ence, &c. came up, and amid many inter
ruptions and much wrapsling on points
! of order, with the general question OF the
right of petition, was debated by Mr.. Ad-
ans at some length with his usual ability
and power, and at times indignant and
sarcastic eloquence. He urged upon the
House the duty of receiving and giving a
fair hearing and report upon the petition,
ridiculing the pretext Il. e. that IT was DIS
respectful to the House-the point raised
by Mr.. Hazelton of Ga.) by which its ex-
ciusion had been attempted. A prayer
for the acknowledgment of God sn insult
to this House! (said he) Why, be had
heard of constructive tTeasons and he thot
the trainers of the Constitution had heard
of them and of their cruel operation upon
the people, but if this was constructive H.
suit 10 the House, was it possible for the
human Imagination to conceive what void
not be considered an insult TO them p
One of the many calls for order was
here made by Mr.. Saunders of N. Z. a.
gainst the discussion of the 2lst rule on
the question of the reception of petition.
The Speaker decided that it was not in
order.
Mr.. Adams. According TO the con-
struction of some human skulls, nothing
is relevant TO the question but what agrees
with their opinions and il sometimes hap.
pens that the skulls Of these gentlemen
have strong sympathy with the skull oil
the Speaker"
nc Gptchtis lttiiol 40 IL vas ih-
cumbent on him TO preserve decorum in
debate, that he could not permit reflections
of that kind TO be made upon him or upon
gentlemen upon the floor, called Mr.. A..
to order.
Cries of L" That's right from various
quarters.
Mr.. Adams. That's right says all
the misrepresentation in this House.
The Speaker. "The gentleman will
take his scat" with which Mr. A. COM
plicd.)
After farther long delay on many
questions raised, Mr.. A. was permitted to
proceed, in order" At the close of his
remarks, on motion of Mr.. Wise, the
question of reception was finally laid On
the table by Yeas 90, Nays so.
Mr.. Adams. still retaining the floor.pre-
scented resolves ofthe Legislature of Mass
achusetts for an amendment 10 the Con-
stitution of the United States to exclude
the representation of Slaves of which he
moved the printing (Which was carrlcd)
and reference to 4 Select Committee of
Nine:
Mr.. Wise (who had hcen worrying him.
self and the House, not only during the
day but for about three>quarters Of an
hour, in opposition to the reading of tho
petition Eabove upon which he himself
finally insisted, but in little different
manner from that proposed) rose, and
with tragi-comical air remarked, that
his part of the country had been wholly
worsted in the fight, and that henccfor
ward, to day and for ever,he should cease
the war in this House and oppose nothing,
but LEI the gentleman from Massachusetts
(Mr. Adams) and those with him take
their own course upon this subject.
Mr.. Holmes, of S. c. said on the conira>
ry, from this day henceforth, he should re-
new the battle. He was not in despair
of the Republic.
Much excitement here prevailed, and
Mr.. H., debate not being in order, was
allowed to speak by 4 suspension of the
rules. He agreed with Mr.. w. that the
action of the House had been any thing
but auspiclcus to Southern rights, but in.
stead of relinquishing any idea of giving
battle, when if came with so much poten.
TALLY from Massachusetts, who had stood
with them shoulder 10 shoulder in the
mighty work of disenthrallment from a
foreign foe, that the South and their prop
ertv were no longer 10 be represented on
This floor, as by the compromise of the
Constitution it had been provided,he ,cOFd
sound the tocSin. and say 10 his Southern
friends, "gire battle at once p
Mr.. Wise explained that he was not TO
fold his arms on the subject, but that this
floor was not the proper battle-ground
The South was dwarfed by the census,and
he intended to leave it TO the majority of
the House-to the non-slave. holding
States-to determine their own action on
the subject. From the oldest District in
Virginia, he assumed the responsibility of
saying: Gentlemen, take your course ;
abide by the Constitution and we will abide
by you; we desire TO abide by you for ev.
er-to die by that Union which Cur FORE
fathers established, consecrated by the
blood Of heroes and the wisdom of sages.
Infringe it, and you infringe our rights