The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-12
In CONGRESS- OF THE u. STATES.
rh,rsy-Fis., oorgress-Fr,s, ss..,o..
MONDAY, FEBRUARY ii, 1850.
rHE RIoHr or pErrrioN.

the memorial presented BY The senator from New Hamp.
shire lMf HALEl IRON citzhs OF Delaware and Pennsyl
wanna asking peaceful dissolution of the Union; upon
the floor
Mr. CHASE. When yielded the Aoor. on Friday, 10
the distinguished senator IRON rexas, Mr. HoUsroNl
was about 10 say that The course which proposed 10
take upon the question before had precedent in the
action Of the legislature OF my own State In both
branches Of that Legislature, Mr. President have petitions
on this subject been presented. They have in both
branches been disposed of by reference.
In the house q during the last session
think, petition OF this sort received, and
ered and elaborate and able report against acting upon
the prayer OF the petitioners was the result At
similar petition was presented in the senate
OF Ohio, and was received referred and reported upon
The report then submitted has since been the subject 81
frequent and general commendatlon, both North and
South. AZ one most happily adapted 70 the occasion
thlnx; sr that the course thus indicated is the right
course is founded upon correct apprehension Of the
nature OF the right OF petition, and the true duty Of egs
lavc bodies IN respect to such petitions that be
fore us.
| do not concur with those honorable senators who
have seen fit to disparage the right OF petition as poor
rght"a rghtto beg" 1t is the nestimabe right guar
in proper form, their wishes to the Legislature tits call
ed, indeed IN The constitutions the right 0f petition"
Petition" is the word used But what is meant Not
suppcation cerainy but the right OF The people ex
press their views upon any subject Of interest them,
and to ask such action they desire The word petit
tom used IN the sense that belongs to it when used in
judicial proceedings Il describes applcatonn writing
1t may be application for that which s deandabe
an absolute right. or that which the tribunal body adj
dressed may grant deny at dscretion or that which
not be granted at all Tor want OF power to grant ITO
upon the subject of the application But il for the peo-
pie, to whom the right of petition belongs determine
for themselves upon what occasions they will exercise it,
and when they have determined and have exercised it,
and their petitions presented here or il any other
legislative body they should be received refuse
receive them is, in my Judgment, an infringement upon
that right When once received, they may be disposed OF
seems fit in any way CONSISTENT with fair and
spectful hearing To stop short of thsto refuse to
receive ,petition--to say to the petitioners "you
shall not be heard-is an invasion Of their consti.
utiona privilege. Sir, cannot abridge that priv
ege ny law Il is not in the power 6 both branches
OF Congress combined to abridge that privilege by law
mqSa less caa we asdge By Or rule
madmen those who come here. no matter whether
from the North or from the South-no matter wheih-
St o s snlo ss S y ss isnas from 9
Tor action preparatory to dissolution Of the Union
They are mistaken men, but hope not mad. They ask
for action which we have no constitutional power to
take, and which we ought not 70 take if we had the
power. They mistaken il they think we have the
power They mistaken if they think that the power
we had it. should be exercised They depict to the south
erners as well the northeners doubt truly accord
ing their respective ideas Of them the grievances which
they desire have redressed but they have mistaken the
remedy ID is not TO be found in dissolution OF the
Union The petitioners from the North. who desire
dissolution OF the Union, desire that which, II
pllshed, would in no degree advance their purposes
The petitioners or Tesoutonsts from the South who
contemplate disunion, look that which, il attained
would overwhelm all their hopes in utter ruin.
regret. Mr.. President that, upon the motion 10 re-
the vote Of the honorable senator from Illinois, IMr
DoUcLAs He apprehends clearly enough the line oil
dissemination established here The question OF recep.
ton was made upon the petition presented day two
since by the senator from, North Carolina, mir Man.
GuMl That petition like this, looked towards dlsso-
luton of the Union yet the Senate decided to receive i
almost unanimously. There were but two votes against
reception One OF these votes given by the honoa
BILE senator from Illinois, in conformity with the usage to
which he adheres oil denying reception to all petitions
Of Slavery whether they eoms from ,he North Or ,He
South But after the honorable senator saw, he did
see that the usage which he adhered be dsre
garded and that instead OF il. there be
vdous sectional discrimination in respect 10 the recep
ton of petons did hope that he would be inclined to
give 10 petitions from the North the benefit oi
ne @ y bs 80 nearly
regret, ALSO that we are not to have the vote OF the
senator from Pennsylvania, lMr. STuReEoS] am sor-
ne could no, see IN the petition IRON North Carolina
erstcs which he in this, which comes from citizens
Of bis State | congratulate the SENATOR however
on the applause which his discrimination has drawn IRON
particularly from the senator from Georgia, tslr DAw
som
The senator from Massachusetts,. INT DAvIs,l too
vows his purpose az ans the reception oil this pc.
uion although he voted for the reception o the petition
from North Carolina. am sorry for this but he too, has
his commendaon and his commender While the senator
probation upon the senator from Pennsylvania, MIR.
STURGEON, the from Mississippi Mr.. FoorEl
oaptlzes with his applause the senator iron Massachu
setts.
have already said that have no objection 10 receiving
this petition and laying on the table. as was done with
the one IRON North Carolina. am qupe willing thai
both petitions should be referred 10 committee, with such
instructions as the Senate may see HI 10 give But pro-
test against discrimination Let every respectful peton
presented here, matter IRON what quarter il
meet with the reception due 10 the OF the
people addressed TO their Representatives, Let them be
received III The Senate eDtefans IN regard 10 the object.
for which they pray, opinions unanimous fixed, and
so unaerabe that reference would be useless, let
be Lard upon the table il il be thought desirable fol
the sake OF satisfying the petitioners and the county,
answer the petition by statement Of why il
prayer cannot should not be granted let il be referred
In most thngs, Mr. President. will give me pleasure
TO follow the example OF gentlemen from whom
am now compelled 20 differ But in this think
safer and better to follow the example which has beer
before me by the legislature oil my State That
ample favor Of receiving this petition, and denying
It's prayer With the people Of OHIO the right of petition
shall voie therefore, for the reception OF this petition
and SHALL Also every OCCASION by my vote ana by my
action, prove that am, ONO is. for the Union ant
against dissolution.
Mr. DAYTON I wish to say that shall vote agans
receiving this petitions but in doing do not wish to bt
misunderstood concede the right TO petition IN ITS u
est and ample extent But the right OF petition 4
not vague, indefinite, ILL considered right II ngh
known and recognised in the books as one well settled
that remedy which the citizen or subject has agalns
the sovereign power and II comes in place as right o
acton-a suit is suit--not suit al law, but sui
addressed by the citizen subject TO the sovereign power
and addresses itself 10 the conscience OF that tribunal
All the books which treat upon this subject, treat of this
right as well settled and considered thing
t<i. ti,mtt a. k&ef,