The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-01-05

port entitled to no more consideration than any
other REPORT from one of the committees, but must
take ITS proper course, and be called up order. He
SAID mat The motion to recommit and TO amend
MOI III order, because the report the rules was not
before the House
Here an explanation of personal character took
place between Mr.. Gilmer and Mr.. Black, Of Geor-
gia.
MI. BLACK, of Georgia, said he did ''defy" all ef-
forts evelled against Southern rights lie would be
worthy Oh holding seat IN this House il he were to
keep 'coor' when the rights of his constituents were
invaded here by the reception Of Abolition petitions
were he to keep "cooln at such time and under
such circumstances, he should not only forfeit the
confidence Of his constituents, but of every Southern
man on this floor What keep cool when the Abo
itIonsts and their incendiaries ready to apply
the torch, not only to the homes of those whom he
presented, but to this Temple Of Liberty. What!
keep cool on such subject iraught with danger
10 the compromises OF the Constitution which brought
this Union into existence, and without which it
not be perpetuated He should never keep cool"
on subject with which his constituents deep
ly and vitality interested. There are other great
questions which divide the two parties of the coun-
try--among them the TarH-whch he wanted to
see settled, not by profession, but by prompt and de-
cisiye action He wanted all of these questions
which divide the country brought forward at once,
and let the sentiments Of every member be recorded
on the walls IN his own hand writing. DO not talk
to me about Wing or Democrat, when the Adolf
tionists were throwing their frebrands into this Hail.
which, if not stopped, and that promptly, would dis
solve this Union. What Democratic Congr. IS,
with majority Of two-thirds, who will not step for
ward and sustain the interests of the whole Southern
country To keep cool" at such time and under
such circumstances, when the constitutional rights Of
his constituents were about to be invaded by emascu
atng the rules of this House, would, in his opin-
ion, amount almost to surrender Of their rights
He would keep 'coot" until the tagot and the
torch of these ncendarics covered his lfeles in
defence of Southern rghts-an inheritance bequeath-
ed by the Fathers of the American Revolutlon--in
the vindcation of which he would defy every abo-
zionist in the country He then demanded the yeas
and nays that the South might understand what
had been done in this matter by Democratic Con-
gress.
Mr.. GILNlER again rose to his point of ord r.
The CHAIR requested him to state it.
Mr. GILMER said that it was C that the report
was not privileged question; but upon the same
footing with all other reports"
The CHAIR so decided; and admitted that the
motion TO re-commit, and the amendment instruct.
ing the Committee to report the 2lst rule, were in
order.
Mr.. HOUSTON, of Alabama, hoped all these
questions of colaea character would be passed
until the report came up in order and then ne would
be prepared TO discuss its merits lie inquired OF the
CHAIR if the previous question would cut oil the mo-
ton to re-commit with the Instructions
The CHAIR decided it would not.
Mr.. WIFI re, of Kentucky, rose to point of or
der, and dissented from the decision Of the Chair
He said that the previous question would bring the
House to direct vote upon the report, which would
cut of the motion to rccOmmit the report and the
amendment wi h instructions. He referred the
Chair to the Journal for precedent and hop d he
would review his decision.
The CHAIR adhered to his previous opinion, from
which there was no appeal
Mr. CLINGMAN requested Mr.. Houston to with
draw the previous question.
Mr.. HOUSTON declined, and said that his object
in moving the previous question was to prevent an
exciting debate upon collateral question
MIR. BEARDSLEY also requested Mr.. Houston to
withdraw the previous question.
Mr.. HOUSTON positively declined.
Mr. WINTHROP rose and read from the rules,
and dissented from the decision of the Chair; con-
tending that motion for day certain was entitled
to the precedence.
The CHAIR. motion toa day certain would be
first entertained.
Mr. WINTHROP asked the Chair if he under
stood bima to say that the motion 10 day certain
would be first in order
The CHAIR replied in the affirmative.
Mr.. HENLY moved to lay the motion 10 recon-
nit, with instructions, upon the table.
MIR. BLACK, of Georgia, rose to point OF order
and inquired of the Chair if it was in order TO make
motion to lay the table after the previous ques-
ton had been demanded.
The CHAIR decided the motion to lay upon the
table TO be in order
Mr. C. J. INGERSOLL. Has the Chair decided
the question to be privileged one!
The CHAIR replied in the negative.
Here Mr. Beardsley made some inquiry Of the
Chair, and oceeded 10 make some remarks, which
were inaudible.
Mr. CAVE JOHNSON objected to his proceed
MIR. HARRISON inquired of the Chair if the mo
tla lid
vote of two-thirds to call ii up'
The CHAIR replied it won be out of its order.
The CLERK then called the roll, and the following
is the result Yeas 7s, nays l06
So the motion to lay upon the table was lost
The question then REQUIRED upon the motion TO re-
commit and TO amend with instructions
Tellers called for, who reported GO in the ai
firmatiye, and 65 in the negative
Mr. BLACK, Of Geo, called for the yeas and nays
for second
The CHAIR decided il to be out of order.
Mr.. IIAMLIN rose and said the day had gone by
for the gavanic eloquence of any gentleman to have
an influence in this House He opposed to the
of the report and the amendment with
instructions because he did not want TO discuss col
lateral questions. He did not wish 10 be msunder-
stood upon this subject. He was in favor of the
right of petition in the broadcast sense, and when that
was denied it took away from the People their inhe-
rent constitutional rights. True, he was in favor of
with the sentiments Of the petitioners, but because he
believed it was a right inherent in the People and
which Congress had not the constitutional power to
abrogate or restrict Let these petitions be received
and referred to a committee and report made upon
the subject and forever put to rest this exciting
question He here boldly declared that he was in
favor of the compromises of the Constitution and if
the House would only receive these petitions and let
them be referred that a report might be made, he
would then let the South that the North would
come up to the work. and sustain the Consti-
tuition, conceived by the wisdom of our Re.
voutionary fathers, and consecrated by their
blood. Make no collateral issues, but bring us the
North up on something tangibIe-someth'ng more
fixed 10 its purpose than Northumberland his word
for it, this question would be finally settled. They
would come up to the altar of their country and
swear by the God Of their fathers to protect not only
the ,North, the South, the West-but the whole
Uuion-our country aud indivlsible-in all of
their constitutional rights.
Mr.. BEARDSLEY rose and made few remarks
in relation to the absence of Of the members Of