The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-02-12
THIRTY-FIRsT CONGRESS-.
FIRST SESSION.
Senate.
WAsHIrGroN, Monday, Feb. IL, Is,

PETITION Fos DISSOLUTION OF The UNION.
The VIcE President stated the business before the
Senate to be- the motion toreeve petition Of citizens
Of Delaware and Maryland, asking psacsabs dissolu-
tion of the Union.
Mr.. CHASE having the door, addressed the Senate in
support Of the petition. He cited q case wherein a
similar petition had been presented In Congress- re-
ferred and reported upon, and frequently quoted
discussion. He believed that the Senate were bound TO
receive every petition matter what its character
and II II exhibited mistaken view Of the powers Of
Congress the expedency of the measure prayed for
Congress should express its disapprobation by sub
sequent action. The right of petition great and
sacred one, to be demanded and not poor one be
begged for. He had objection to whatever action
the Senate might deem proper give to this and similar
petitions He only asked that all be received AID treat
ed alike.
MIR DAYTos said, that the right Of petition was well
settled. 1t was the remedy which citizen subject
had towards the sovereign had yet to learn that
IL extended to the destruction Of the sovereign IL
limited always to the redress of grievances He was
opposed to the reception Of this petition, and would
vote against it, because 1t asked the destruction Of the
sovereign-the dissolution Of the violation
of the constitution by those who had 10 support
it. II asked what the Senate had neither the right
the power to do and not respectful to the body
whom 1t was addressed. He agreed with all that Mr.
Hale had said the other day relative to the petition
from North Carolina presented by Mr.. Mangum-
there were wrongs, had been said, on both sides,
and he prepared, aud hereafter always should vote
against receiving these aitatng petitions no mstsr
Mr.. CAss honorsd tho right of petition much as
any but he did not II so high as the Sena
tor from Ohio. The people thank God hal much
more efectual remedy in their hands than the right
Of petition had the right OF action. The ballot
box worth Q thousand rights OF petition, and
could be exercised by all the people. Was it to b.
contended that Congress had no discretion IS TO the
reception Of petitions! Would they consider them
selves bound TO receive petition asking Congress
to paes got declaring that there God
Surely not The constitution secured the night
grievances. Would any man contend this was such
pettion' There WAS no comparison between this pc
to the blessings with which kind Providence had
ed country and said that the root OF al evil
TO be found in failure TO appreciate a1d reodsr
to the Creator the need Of gratitude for all that
have received. Dissolution was but another name for
and yet here we're the descendants OF Penn asking
that 1t may be effected. IL their prayer to be
granted, our borders wherever they may be would be
the Of of the boodiest wars the world
saw and for WHAT What Was to be gained by it,
Who were to reap any thing but the btterest fruits
MIR. WEBSTER regretted That this petition had been
presented and would surprised II 1t received any
In the Senate Lest any should BY his vote,
imply that Congress had any power over the subject,
he thought that the petition to be consistent with IL
self ought to have been preceded by preamble some
what as follows -" Gentlsmen members OF Congress;
Whereas at the OF the present session,
'RS s:sh s a S oath aou as
support the constitution aud the government-nov,
therefore We ask to take steps TO break
up the Union and destroy the constitution soon -
Mr. HALE was glad that MIR. Csss had obtained new
light since he voted the other day against receiving
petition from Pennsylvania asking no action By Con-
gress but simply requesting Congress- In view OF con-
tsmpated action upon the subject OF slavery on the
admission Of States not 20 admit such States in
the Union. The Senator had declared that North
Carolina right In demonstrating against the con-
40 81
which Mr.. Cas- had voted against.
MIR Cas- replied that the petition In question con-
application by new State tor admission, without re.
striction upon the question OF siavery.
Mr. HaLE said the petition intimated no such senti-
Mr. Wales stated that he had examined the petit
tons and recognised tAs name of no one Of its sners
Mr. CsorzR eloquentiy addressed the Senate adverse
to the petition and In support OF the Unisu abiding
to the evils which must felos its dssolution and de-
either North or South locking In the remot 49,.
to so disastrous an event.
n t ~ Sa' south had been
10. tne Sanser ~n'- msnaoed the Union there we're
10 os'o'u' r.aists In the south not WAC would
"A sse and svow the IRRESPONSIBLE sentiment.
Sir CHAsE said the question OF reception had net
been met. MIR Cas- and others had passed the
real question and stated the for which they
nistook their own position. He contendsd that the
reception OF the petition test to the princi
pie involved IN the petition
Mr.. SEwAnD wished the Senate aud the country
distinctly TO understand that the question was not
upon the propristy OF dissolviog the Union or the
poser Of Congress 70 dissolve It, but simply whether
the petition should be resolved and referred to COM
mittee with Instructions 60 report that the Senate
has psither the power the disposton to entertain
the question. With this view, he would vote TO re-
ceiye the petition, which he had denounced rs ema
mating from msdmen.-that he had never seeo, and
neser expected to see, tie petition which ne would
not receive. II apology ~ith him for rsfasing
to receive the prayer Of hi, fellow being that ne had
no power TO grant Petitions from malnsn we're, at
least harmless and the easiest way get ril OF them
was TO receive them aud dispose Of them they de-
served No other petitions. for dissolution Of the
Union would ever be cent here, ~ the prrs-at one
should be received and the reSuke adminsered 10 II
which In the heart aud mouth of every In the
Shamoes me senate ssrs not ssovs giving Fs..oss
inSton had not been above ~ and why snond the Sc
The question being then taken III. motion to r.c,iv.
Oh. petition was negativoi, yeas 3, nays 80 uesrt
Hale, Chase, aud Seward voting In the saifmative
THr rKRRuoRiEs, sLavgaY, rrc
The senate proceeded TO the consider4sioa o. the
order II the day.
Mr gsasiss arose aud addressed the Senate on the
nitSds and deaIiss II The sas.s AID s5s.sqasn
conviction Of the crisis Which exists In tbs affairs
o. the county Ihs people o. the soa.h had a.
last, been awakened TO sense 81 their danger, and
q feeling had been awakened which eoali no longer
be trihsd With. lie uttered no menscrs AID trusted
the orth would heed the voice OF cAlm dispa'honss
warning which he nov raised. The country bad
passed through many crises but none - irsusoi vIn
danger as the present; and. unlee ottitf c01hteis
prevail than hitherto, The direst conseqaences VIII
sn.ue. He trusted that better fesisg -ould pre-
vail This hope amsuutsd almost 20 CONVICTION that
the storm would lull aud pssce and happiness would
again be dlfufed throughout all cur BORDERS. After
psyipr ~ oct beautiful tribute TO Mr.. Clay, wishing
That be might iong live 90 p.fuoipste In the bless
ms Of unity and pescs aud that when ne should
s.t be called 90 lay on the fs garment which be
90 grscsfuiy worn, his ciosing eyes might rest on
q free united happy reFao,ie Mr.. b. ptosssdsd with
an argument upon the immediate question OF legir-
lston for the territories snd srsp.t the establish
msnt Of q principle when should forbid 10 all fu-
ture Tine the Gag 81 the MON TO float over sny
state territory where slavery may exist except In
tbose states where that inititution e1is.s The
south called upon Congress not to legslste upon
the question OF sisvery. They had not asked le-
g lathe aid " vas Legislative interference which
theJ deprecsted. They called upon Congress TO et-
ercse whatever power ~ bad. TO trgsuise govern
mebts for the terrific aud abstain from say
ton upon the domestic Institution OF slavery They
called upon Congress TO leave the slavery question 10
the great constitutional arbiter between the two
tons That was all the South asked. What then, he
would appeal TO the Senator from Kentucky Clay
what had the South 10 yiea. what vas II they hsd
TO surrender Was II their constitutional right 70
invoke the decision Of the highest tribunal IN the
Union, that they called upen to give upi Surely
such demand could be entertained He then