Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-09-08
John Il. Weller.

JOhn u. NelIer.
This gentleman IS now lraversing the State Of
Ohio, soliciting the people TO bestow, upon him
their sufIrages. What merits he possesses 10
recommend him 10 the favorable consideration
of the people Of the station to which he aspres,
we know not. He was for several years sent
by the citizens of Butler county 10 represent
them in the Congress of the United States. In
that capacity he became somewhat distinguished
as busierer. Ills lameas wise, prudent and
judiclous legislator, was not very extensive
lie left behind him, when he obtained leave TO
retire from that post, but few monuments in the
measures of public good he had devised, to at
test that had ever beenthere. Heidi however,
perform one that was somewhat out the ordinary
course, and which from its peculiar character,
ought not to be soon forgotten by the people of
Ohio. He introduced into The House of Rep.
resenlatives resolution, CENSU RING ONE OF
HIS COLLEAGUES FROM ONO, for having presen-
ted for The consideration Of the House, series
of resolutions defining the power and duty of
the Federal Government on the subject Of sla-
very.
This act OF justice towards his colleague, and
Of discourlesy towards the State he disgraced by
claiming citizenship in il while he thus outraged
its sentiments, was done uoiuntariy, and to
show prominently the extent Of his utter SER
witty to the South, and Southern claims.
member from Ohio had Ventured to offer u Sc
ries Of resi- lulions, declaring what he believed
10 be the true doctrine on the subject OF slave
ry. For this uCt Of temerity, Il member from
! Virginia had taken the ilour,and propospdto
u0te of cenSure upon tho Representative from
Ohio. lie was ruled To be- out of order mas.
much as the business then before the House was
the call for resolutions by States, and Ohio be-
ing called, il wus not 10 order for the member
from Virginia al that time to submit his resolu
tion of censure. AT that iuncture, John b.
Weller stepped forward, and voluntarily adop-
Ted the Southern bantng and making ii his own,
offered ii 10 The House.
The occurrence TO which we refer transpired
on The 2lsi Of March, l842; and Mr.. Weller's
preamble and resolutions were rs follows:
"Mr Weller moved the following:
"WHEREAs, the Hon. Joshua R. Giddings,
the member from the l6lh Congressional Dis.
trict Of the Slule Of Ohio, has this day presen-
ted to this House series of resolutions touch
ing the most important interests connected with
a large portion Of the Union, nov subject Of
negotiation between the United States and Great
BRIAN of the most delicate nature, the result of
which may eventually involve these two ma
iions, and perhaps the whole civilized world,
in war; and whereas, il is the duly Of every
good citizen, and particularly The duty of every
selected agent and Representative of the people,
TO discountenanco all efforts TO create excite.
meni, disafTtclion, and division among the poo.
pie of The United States at such time and un-
der such circumstances, which is the only ef
feet TO be accomplished by the introduction Of
sentiments before the legislative body of the
country hostile 10 the grounds assumed by the
high iunctionary having in charge this mpor-
tant and delicate trust; aud whereas, mutiny and
murder are therein justified and approved in
terms shocking 10 all sense Of law, order, and
humanity; therefore,
Resolved, That this House hold the conduct
Of the said member us altogether unwarraned
and unwarranlable, and deserving the severe
condemnation of the people of his country, and
of this body in particular. journal II. R. 2d
Session.27lh Congress, p. 57l.
Now the reader may be desirous to know
more precise than he can learn from the fore
going preamble and resolution, what was the Of
! lcnCH Ol the hon. joshua IL. Nluulngs, Wnicn
| is thus denounced as "unwarranted and unwar-
ranmbc," and which called down upon his head;
(and that too at the instance ofu colleague,1 the
"serere condemnation of the House, and left
80, 600 free people of Ohio without a represen
lation in Congress. TO enable them 10 Judge
for themselves of the Nervousness of the Of
fence Of Mr.. Giddings, we publish the resou-
lions proposed by HIM. They are as follows:
/. Resoired, That prior 10 the adoption OF
our Federal Constitution each of the several
States composing this Union, exercised full and
exclusive jurisdiction over the subject Of slave
nv within It's own territory, aud possessed full
power to continue or abolish il az pleasure.
Q. Resolved, That by adopting the Consti'
tuition no part of The aforesaid powers were del
era,ed to the Federal Government, but were re-.
served BY and still pertain IN each of the sever.
al States.
8. Rsso'ued, Tha, by the 8lh section of the
Is, article Of he Constitution, each of the sew.
oral States surrendered to the Federal Govern.
lment all jurisdiction over the subject of com.
merce and navigation upon the high seas.
a. Reso'red, That slavery being an nbridse
ncm OF the natural rights Of man. cpn exist
only by force u positive @a.iciEat |aW, and is