The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-11

man from New Hampshire [Mr. HALEl which have
brought me to the floor. As northern man, am not
willing to have it said here without denying IT, thal the
North have degraded themselves 10 the South am not
willing 10 have that libel pronounced upon the North on
this floor and to sit silent acquescence To It's correctness
The North have always maintained their rights They are
the last people 10 yield to infracton OF those rights
Northern have shown their Willingness 10 meet ne
issue at all times in the halso legislation whenever the
issue has been boug before them And SIR II mere mas
been any submission upon the part o the North IN former
times il there has been any humble submission II has
been humble submission TO the principles OF The con-
| sliluon, and not TO dictaton from the South.
have only regretted in these latter days that tins
humble submission to the principles OF the constitution,
on the part of my northern friends had not been contn
ued sir have voted to keep the abolition az tation out
of these halls have voted to keep down that spirit OF
anaticsm which agitating and exciting the country
TO no good and which could have other effect than to
rally the North against the South and the South against
| the North TO weaken the bond OF Union between the
different portions of the country, and to create factions
which are willing 10 ride upon the RUNS OF the consul
And, sir is this submission the spirit and the prn
cples OF the constitution 10 be denounced as base suo
mission to a southern faction No, sir wish to exc
the powers of this government IN that spirit OF hir
mony and concl alton which brought the constitution
| into existence If the South and the North had come
forward with their defiance each auning the other and
adding insult insult every time that OF the oppo
site section upon the floor, do you think that we
should have had constitution! And shall we be
degenerate of those sres who framed the consliu
ton Ii the constitution was COOL As 1t came from their
hands, how shall It be said that we who live under 1t,
|
to IL
We would have no cause, sir, of complaint upon the
subject of slavery, if each man would mind his own bu
sness and not endeavor TO Introduce the subject into
these halls The constituents OF our New Hampshire
friend would never know how mSch these poor negroes
bsuiier if it not told the9 by those who never saw
their uiengs, and know nothing of what they are talk
ing about And the South would not know how badly
they are treated by the North if the subject was not
brought before them for the purpose OF exciting the people
in popular election wish, sir, TO Danish the whole
agitation from these halls Let us rival each other in our
devotion TO the principles OF the constitution to me spirit
of harmony and Cancellation, and to binding the different
portions of the Union together more firmly, rather than m
abusive attacks upon different portions of the Unon cal
cuaied to excite angry feelings and discomfort
If wish, sir, TO settle this question of slavery and
Danish the agitation from these halls let remove the
cause which produces it. Let settle the question in
the honor and respects the feelings OF every por-
ton of the Union. Do not insult one section OF the
nor defy the other by threats of disunon Bring it islo
this Union upon equal footing with the ST Let
the people in each State settle the question OF slavery as
domestic institution, themseves-for themselves, accord
Ing TO their own wishes. Whatever that settlement
may be, shall be contented with it.
Ii we of the North would mind own business upon
that subject, and you OF the South would be quiet and
mind yours and let California act for herself | think
then we should have very little trouble. Neither the
North nor the South, either OF them, has any right 10
interfere there. do not speak OF constitutional right
do not choose to go into distractions metaphys
cal reasoning speak OF those moral rights which go
higher than the constitution and which we are bound to
observe when assume to dictate forms Of govern
ment to people who are about to form an independent
State.
And, sir, let settle the question in this District in
the way Let retrocede it to Maryland. When
you have done these two things there is nothing left for
agitation upon the subject OF slavery Then parties
be formed upon principles upon which they can stand
| The wings stand upon their own wing measures
The democrats can stand upon their own firm and eer
nal principles. Let us leave the combat the other
believe the country is safe in the hands of either But
may God prevent this country from ever being ruled by
faction which comes into power by appealing and pam
derng prejudces; which combines OF all parties
and all factions with no enc principle in common. God
prevent that we may ever be ruled by such party in
this country. Ii would quiet the agitation, let
remove the causes, and thus may we avert such ca
lamy.
tracted reply to the gentleman from New Hampshire,
(Mr IALE,l but to call the attention OF the Senate, and
the attention of the country to the great error which the
men, ,ooae falling into in reference to this very ques
ton Now, sir, when was up first, laid down restric
tons upon the right of petition. The gentleman from
New Hampshire has thought proper to take issue with
me in regard to the limitations which had prescribed
My points two: first that petitioner had right
to ask body do thing unless that body had the pow
er to do it, The gentleman did not deny that NV sec
ond position was that the petitioner had right to ask
body to pass law. TO repeal law or to modify law
unless the law passed. repealed modified operated upon
himself and upon that point the gentleman from New
Hampshire takes issue There, sir, is the great of
the North; and there is the basis upon which all this mis-
chevous agitation which has prevailed in this hall and
the other branch of the national Legislature for years. rests
Now, sir is upon that point that wish to offer few
remarks; and the northern will take hold of it, and
give fair hearing, will DO much good to the country
How does the gentleman attempt TO evade this position
which have assumed He does it, sir by making the
right OF petition synonymous with praying 1t is nothing
but prayer, IN his opinions efuson of the feelings
of the mind, soul. He maintains that has right
to utter his opinions everywhereat all times, and upon
all occasions cannot deny the general right of utter
ing sentiments in the papersin the close-at all times
and in all places where the person who may utter those
sentiments is not inerrupng other important business
and interfering with the rights Of other persons But
sir, let tell the gentleman, and let me tell the
country that my view of the right of petition is
that it is practical question. That right is not in
frnged by the action OF either branch of Congress-
when we reject any paper which may be presented
here. That merely utters the religious sentiments or
| the philanthroplc sentiments, OF the petitioners We
do not interfere with that right, when we say that
the paper shall not be considered But my view Of the
right of petition is, that it is practical thing II becomes
practical when you are asked 10 pass law, and to repeal
or to modify law. This Congress is legislative body
and all the action of Congress- my estimation is in its
| leg slative or executive character. .aa.
i Now, sir, whatever do in its legislative or exec
utve character has bearing upon the citizens of the
4 United States generally upon particular classes and
districts, separate or apart from the great whole and il
must have its effect upon the people OF the United States
in way the other Whatever, then, relates TO the
general interests of the country operates and bears upon
the whole, either in the executive or in the legislative
! character OF Congress, | hold to be occasion for
the people of the United States to petition upon But
whatever action OF Congress in its legislative character
effects particular district, then hold, sir that it is
the business OF that particular district which feels the
action of the government, and that district Alone to Pc
f,t.. fAn .tAr.f