The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-09

not myself aware OF II, and, far informed on
slight exceptions indeed, throughout the southern por
ton oil the conederacy. do not very well know what
is said OF elsewhere nor do very much care. II Il
certain that have at time complained OF editorial de-
nuncaios and the leer-wrting tribe have seldom
irriiaed my senshiities Ii speak oener than there
j. need Of my doing i Is perhaps more or less atlfbua-
honorable and his allies here, could almost ish
tiatl could become dumb cannot doubt thatthey would
greatly rejoice al being relieved from that dead Of pun
ishmeat which sits now heavily upon their sensibltes
When of offence become less numerous, hope
TO be spared the necessity Of speaking so often When
this happy state OF things shall be brought about can
/ Mr. DAVIS, OF Mississippi. rise simply to make a
few remarks upon the comparison which has been insti
tuted between some resolutions which have been re-
ceived and those which il is proposed TO reject
The resolutions presented by the senator from North
Carolina, which have been received referred TO grew
ances which the people Of the South had suffered They
were resolutions TO preserve the Union, and calling upon
Congress to take the proper for that purpose
That was their LEG tmate end They had right to petit
ton Congress for redress OF grievances or i was IN our
power to redress their grievances BY our eglsaon and
therefore we were bound 10 receive the petition. 81
This case y the very reverse Here y no grievance
unless The Union IS grievance 70 those VINO peulon.
They call upon Congress TO do that which every man
must admit they have power 10 do--to dissolve peace
ably the Union Of these States In the first place. SIR,
y BepaSd Iii a ~ Z 10 he Senate
it is offensive to contemplate legislation for the dsson-
ton OIL the Unon offensive TO all Of us. II this Union
Qt1sQ}Ycd,
States and Of tie people. Whatever power Congress
holds, it holds under the constitution That power is
part OF that which belongs 70 us We have no power
peaceaby to egsate upon that which would destroy the
Union II belongs 10 the people; il is with the people
that the authority rests
recollect that good many years ago the senator
morning, [Mr DAvIs very pontedly described the right
OF petition very poor right after allthe right
70 beg That Is my own view OF The right peace
ably TO assemble" hold 10 be the right intended TO be
guaranteed 10 the people by the constitution That had
been the only right which had been denied under the
colonial government. The right TO petition had never
been denied II was therefore only to the right
peaceably to assemble" in order 10 petition for the
dress Of grievances, that there guaranty inserted
in the constitution, But sir. although the right 10 petit
ton be very poor one "a mere right TO begyet II may
be carried TO such extent that Congress may be bound
to abats ii as nuisance. Sir il beggars should come
round US in such throngs each praying Tor his own
ucuar wants, that the avenues 10 The Capitol should
be obsructed aud we should be unable 10 reach II with
out great difficulty, Congress would undoubtedly have
the right to lbate the nuisance But sir such c0llec
ton OF beggars would not be half The evil that these pc.
ions upon The subject Of slavery have been They
upon and obsruct the legislation Of the body they
disturb the fraternity Of Congress- and peril the Union Of
the States BY every obligation that rests upon u.s. either
under the constitution under the great principles
which have led The foundation OIL the Constitution,
are bound to abate This as growing evil.
These petitions We're well described by the senator
from Pennsylvania MR. SrURGEosl as being spurious !;
and must say that the same is my own opinion Petit
tons sent round in reference to the subject OF TEN.
perance, other subject and, after long line OF
signers has been obtained the caption is off and
another substituted, and then the petition is sent here
10 excite portion OF the Union against another be.
eve that we are bound to exclude Them from this cham
Der.
For these reasons,I voted to receive the memorial Of
the honorable senator from North Carolina, GMr. MAN
GUM;l and, for the same reasons, shall reject
this
Mr. SEWARD desire to offer an amendment to the
pending motion; TO add the folowing
that petition be referred TO the Committee on
the Jnde'sy, with Instructions 10 report without
the disposition 10 entertain the question"
The VICE PRESIDENT ruled that the amendment
was not in order the petition having been received,
and the amendment looking TO a reference.
Mr.. SEWARD. i will then simply ask permission Of
the Senate TO state the ground upon which shall
for the reception oil the petition do not suppose that il
woni be in my power to enghten any member OF this
House upon the great and long debated subject OF the
right OF petition wish TO have my own vose go TO my
constituents with the upon which IL is founded
have considered carefully the course which was taken
BY the distinguished and lamented statesman whose
Mr.. DOUGLAS. (in,erposing) Will the senator from
New fork give way TO motion TO let this matter pass
over informally until to-morr
Mr.. SEWARD. wish to say but few words / have
considered, was going on TO say, the taken
the House OF Representatives by that distinguished states
nan on the oocasoned referred TO, when petition OF sim
liar character there presen ed by the amened John
Quincy Adams have approvedhis course, in insisting on
the reception Of the'paper vindcaon OF the right TO
petNion While have sympathy--any more than he
hador the of tire petitioners who pray for the
dissolution OF the Union, have fear OF the dissou.
ton OF the Union | believe that it was not made by
nadmen, and il cannot be destroyed by madmen be.
eve that nobody petitions for its dissolution but mad
men and my rule in regari 20 madmen always is,
to enter lrio any controversy with them (Laughterl
Mr. FOOFE. will offer a single remark lament
that The honorable senator from New Hampshire, in adj
dilon 10 all the anmadyesons TO which he has been
subjected this morning. should have been ated receive
80 severe rebuke as that just administered 10 him by
the honorable senator from New York, mr. SEwARDJ
between whom and himself such tender ties OF afation
and Kindness have heretofore subsised The honorable
senator from New York soemny declare that he regards
all such petitioners as there represented this occasion
by the honorable senator from New Hampshire mad.
So that, after ALL the honorable senator from New
Hampshire Is to be recognised The organ, upon this
floor, OF madmen for purposes OF mischief scUerey
reprimand. coming from such quarter could NOT ptH
be imagined
Mr. MANGUM, remarkng that the whole morning
had been consumed upon this matter and that II his
wish 10 put an end 10 the discussion, moved lay the
motion OF reception upon the table, the same time Civ
ing notice that he would not withdraw the motion for
any further debate
Mr.. CHASE sgni6ed his desire 10 say a few words.
Mr. MANGUM, IN compliance with an appeal made
by senators in his vicinity, consented 10 withdraw his
motion 10 lay on the table.
MIR CHASE. am not willing 10 occupy any portion
OF the time Of the Senate this morning for the floor be-
longs TO the senator from Texas, INT Housros,l who
undoubtedly will wish to address the Senate to-day upon
the resolutions II the senator from Kentucky, (Mr.
a NaN ..xs