The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-01-15
LOUISVILLE, KY. SATURDAY, JANUARY IS 1913

raise that question; I smose to lay the motion
upon the table. q ae
Mr.. HAIL.-UPon 5liat question ask the
yeas and nays. ei
Mr. JonSsoN of Maryland inquired whether
it would be In order to,tnoge postp Of
the question Of reception i'll tomorrow
| The PREsIDIse 0PficEa-'rhe question 10 lay
on the table has precedence.
| MIR. JOHNSON Of Maryland, then said that his
only object was that the Senate might be full
before the question was tnken.
| Mr.. CAIHoUN.-Whatlsth question:
| The PRESIDING OFFicFR.--It is 10 lay the mo-
ton TO receive the petition % The table.
Mr.. CALHous.-W hatis iis subject matter Of
the petitionf
THE PHEslDINs OFFicxs. 1.-THE abolition Of
slavery in the District of Columbia.
Mr.. HALE.-fit be iulorder, will state the
subject matter Of tile petition. The petition
comes from the yearly needing Of Friends at
Newport, Wayne county Iidiana, praying the
termination of the warz<n Mexico; and also,
praying that all the poser vested Ia Congress
upon the subject, shall besexsrted for the termi-
nation Of slavery. 47
Mr.. BurLER--That does not say any thing
about slavery in the Distfict Of Columbia
Mr.. HALE.--I remarked that this was inclu-
ded in the petition. ~
The question was thee tsken on the ei.ll for
the yeas and nays. 4 Sufficient number Of
members rising, the yeas and nays were ordered
and were taken as follows;
YEAs.-Messrs. Allen, Ashley, Acthison,
Anterior, Badger, Bell, Berrien, Bradbury,
Breese, Bright, Butler, Calhoun, Cess, Davis,
| (of Mississippi,) Dickinson, Dix, Downs, Fair
| field, Flesh, Foote, Hunter, Johnson, of Mary
land, } Johnson (of Louisiana Mangnm, Mason
Niles, Rusk, Sevior, sPruahee, Sturgeon, Tur-
ney, Westcott. Yulee-3S
| NAYs.-Messrs. Baldwin, Clarke, Corwin,
Green, Hale, Miller, Phelps, Underwood, Up
ham--9.
So the motion to receive the petition was laid
apon the table.
Mr.. HAZE presented the memorial of David
I. Burr and sixty-nine others, eitizens Of Penn
sylvania, praying for such an alteration of the
Constitution and laws rs shall abolish slavery
throughout the Union.
| Mr. Hale said I'll do not understand that
there is a standing rule or order Of the Senate
that raises the question whether this petition
shall be received, or the motion 10 receive IT laid
ON the table. | ask whether the motion to
ceive the petition is debatable : Am ] correct,
sir, in supposng it is debatable
| PRESIDING OFFIcER.-lt is debatable.
Mr.. HALE.-So understanding il, sir, wish to
say a single word in viniieation Of the course
which deem it my duty TO take on this oeca-
sion. II is with no desire 10 produce angry feel
ings or excited discussion, but IL is in discharge
of my duty, under deep and the earnest convic-
tions Of my understanding, that | attempt 10
discharge that duty What is the refusal of the
Senate TO receive these petitions II is saying
that there are some subjects on which the peo-
pie shall not approach this tribunal.
In this day, speculation is adventurous. We
venture TO inquire into all the secrets Of the ma
a.. Il
Of geological science have penetrated the bow
els Of the earth, aud have there found the mate
rails by which II is essayed to prove that
" He who made the world, and its age reveal'd
| To Moses, was mistaken"
Nay, inquiry goes with adventurous flight to
the very throne Of Eternity and undertakes TO
scsu the laws by which He who sits thereon
governs His own actions and the world He has
created. And, sir, If speculation is thus adven-
furious, have we, in the United States Of Ameri-
ca, an institution which exalts itself above God
detying examination or inquiry, or petition even
/ Most emphaiically, sir do conceive that al the
present day the people OF the United States have
a peculiar right to come aad ask os this body q
respectful hearing of their petitions, and a re-
spectful hearing on this very subject Sir, il 1.
no mere abstraction. 1t is an element Of poliii-
cal power in the formation Of cur Constitution
~
other House is regulated; and, il is an element
in the political discussion and action of the pres.
emit day, which is involving the nation in for.
eign and aggressive war at an expense of forty
or fifty millions of dollars annually. And, 1
the people Of the United States are TO be- thu,
taxed for a war, growing Immediately and d.
recty out of institution Of this character, ar,
they TO be told that they shall not come and re.
specially present their petitions upon this sub
, jeetl
, have thus discharged my duty TO those whC
sent me here without any expectation Of infiu.
encing the action of this body, without any de-
sire TO excite angry feeling OF discussion. ash
that the petition may be received.
Il Mr.. BERnES.-The practice which has beer
adopted by the Senate has been the result o
? calm and deliberate consideration. II has pro
tected us from those exciting discussions, which
in another branch ofthe national legislature have
too often occurred. | do not apprehend tina
anything which has fallen from the honOrabl,
7 Senator from New Hampshie who presents this
/! petition, is calculated to change the we'll set.
, tied conviction Of the Senate on this subject.
therefore, sir, the question Of reception being
before the Senate, move to laY tha, question on
5 the table.
= The motion to receive the petition was then
, laid upon the table.
!, CON ESS,