Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-07-03
POEaIECAE.
SPEECH OF
MIR. Burt, OF 8. Carolina,
"a. .FAyoa OF ADOPTING RULE TO EA

s = RI g. ~ 2
SS FAVOR OF ADOPTING A RULE TO EH-
.cLupg ABOLITION PETITIONS.
The report of Mr. Adams, from the Sc
'iect Committee on aiie Rules Of the House
.of Representatives., being the order OF the
day for The morning hour, and the ques-.
1,io1 beiag on the motion Of Mr.. Black, ,oi
Georgia, 10 Samenda motion 10 zecomu1I'
she report, by ios,ruc,ing the committeeto
sepori the following rule, which had been
omitted;
"No petition, memorial, resolution, or
other paper. praying the abolition Of sla-
very in the District tf Columbia, or any
State or Territory, or the slave.trsde oe-
tween the S,aaesor Territories Of The Uni
ted States. in which it now exists, shall be
received by this House, or entertained 10
any way wha,eyre.'
MIR. Burr addressed the House subs,an-
tally as follows:
Beforel proceed, Mr.. Speaker, to pre-
sent such views of The topics whick have
been introduced into this debate as may
be able 10 compress into the brief space
allotted me By your rules, ! feel con-
strained 10 notice remark Of The honor
able gentleman f5m New York, (Mr.
Beardsfey.} When that gentleman ad-
dressed the House on the question now
under consideration, he thought fit 20 say
-uot, 10 be sure, as the announcement of
fact, but as the. expression OF confident
opinion-'sHe took il for granted. that, 10
regard to slavery in The abstract. there ex-
listed at The Norlh and at the West and at
the South, but one sentiment )" and very
inlelligibly intimated that, in all these sec
,ions of the Confederacy, il is admitted 10
be great evil; he, however had the con-
siderateaess- perhaps the charity--to ac;;
Quit the present generation of The ''fault,"
as he was pleased 10 say, Of that institu-
ton.
Now, sir, ] do not pretend 10 know the
relation which that gentleman bears 10
parties at the, North, nor do ] choose 10
inquire the means which he possesses Of
ascertaining Northern sentiment or
Western ssseniimenl'' on the subject Of
slavery. I feel, assure you, sin as little
concern whether tia. sentiment be ia
Yorable or adverse 10 that institution. But
{. Il will not permit myself readily to believe,
S Swhaiever opinion ON this. subject hey may
,sss,.rtain,) that the people of any consd-
serabIe portion Of this country are utterly
s,;tb,ess auo reereant TO the high and sa-
cred oblipalions oi the Constitution.
Ihave. sir, no idea of the medium ,llro'
which the gentleman from New YORK Oh.
tains access 10 opinions IN the Southern
States on this subject, or On any subject
of purely local and domestic nature; nor
-slo venture TO conjecture the authority
bywh:sh he feels himself Justified in as
sumins 10 be the organ of that opinion In
this House. He will, however. ! tr7st,
not deem it presnmptuous in represeu-
,a,ive of Southern State, TO profess as
fpll and accurate knowledge of the opin-
ions and sentiments which prevail at the
South concerning merely Southern iu-
s,itu,ion. as he can enjoy, and at least
equal authority 10 declare them in this
Hail of Representative. Sir, Whatever
may bs. the opinions Of mankind, elsewhere
so far as the remarks of The gentleman
from New York was intended 10 apply to
the Stale in which reside, and OF which
I have the honor TO be a representative, ]
take leave to declare to him and 10 the
world, on my own responsibility, to my
constituents, 10 whom l appeal for the
truth oflhe declaration, that henever Ut
tered or entertained an opinion more alb
solu,ely destitute Of oil foundation. Sir,
/ hare ye, TO learn that public opinion in
sou,h Carolina. at any period Of its his
tory, has even questioned lhe morality OF
the expediency Of that institution. En-:
ter,aining the opinions which were held
by their ancestors, the present generation
/ have none Of the spiri. Of their ilpstrious