The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-09
IN CONGRESS OF THE o. STATES.
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY $, 1850.


4fit "A A4slise4N pIsUEIoR. efa sla3sf
The VICE PRESIDENT stated the first business be-
fore the Senate to be the question ON the reception OF the
memorial presented Yesterday BY the senator from New
iTbs memonaI-bsng from citizens Of Pennsylvania
and Delaware their belief that the federal consii
ton In pledgng the strength Of the whole Union TO the
support OF slavery violates the Divine law. makes war
upon human rights and Is grossly inconsistent with re-
Publican principles that its attempt to unite freedom and
slavery in one body polite has already brought upon the
country great and manifold evils, and has FUZZY proved
that no such Union can exist but by the sacrifice Of free
dom TO the supremacy Of slavery and lhsy respectfully
for the immediate peaceful dissolution OF the American
op M DOUGLAS having The aoor rose. and said Mr.
President when yielded the aoor yesterday 10 the hon
orabIe senator from Virginia, Mr. Hunter. was about
to proceed with the remark, that had understood it
yssIsndssd * long j. This agitation q slavery has pre-
vailed upon the floor Of Congressto lay the motion to
receive petitions relating 10 the subject Of slavery upon
the table; that Is TO say. when petition came from in
diyduss, OF from public meetings or associations re-
lang to the slavery question, the motion TO receive
laid upon the table; but il the petitions and memorials
came from the States then they were to be received and
Understanding this 10 be the uniform principle Of the SEN
ate upon that subject have adhered TO and acquesced in
that principle in the votes which have given am not
AWARE OF instance in which petition relating TO this
slavery agitation, coming from the North, has been
ceved and the only departure. that am aware OF, from
this principle has been on the part OF the South think
there which furnishes precedent for the
pursued the other day. relation the petition presented
II regard 10 hs slavery question In tSa case The mo-
ton made TO receive the petition, and the Senate
fused TO lay that motion npon The table, and received the
memorial asked for no action, but was remonstrance
against the action Of the Senate upon that question
must confess that was very much amazed that Ffound
myself and other senator were the only individuals
who voted against the reception of that memorial had
supposed that il proper to receive memorial to Con-
gess against any specific action upon the question here,
m hat
ton that those side of the question had right
to petition, The other had right to petition also and il
proper oreceive them from the other Hence had sup
posed that the Senate going 10 adhere 10 the rule
and the principle which has hitherto obtained, OF
fusing to receive these memorials upon this subject
whether they come from the North the South-wheher
for against the institution of slavery Yesterday
memorial from the State of Pennsy vana, upon the
the admission into this Union of any new State
which tolerates the institution of slavery Here
memorial upon this same subject, asking for nothing
not demanding any action the part OF Congress, but
simply that Congress should refuse to do act When
that memorial came up i presented precisely the same
csse g did the one from North Carolina il was amemo
rial against action, and relating the subject
The motion was made to lay the motion TO receive
onthe table, and sir that memorial asking for action
on the part OF Congress not received
voted 10 lay both on The table, thinking that in both
cses was acting in accordance with the usages of the
Senate for the last quarter OF century Sir 10
that this matter was either not properly considered,
else that there is to be rule for the North and
other rule for the Southone rule for side and
Mr. HALE, dn his seai) That's The case; that's it
. Mr. DOUGLAS Petitions are to be received when
snsy come IRON one sds and petitions on the same sub
caption when they come from the other side must BE-
permitted say that cannot sanction this Of pro
ceduTe, either doctrine practice. Ii is time tina
begin examine and investigate this question Of III,
right Of petition; and il have rule usage which
cannot be adhered to- let the petition from wha
Of VTntrS ha
may, il is full time that should discard altogether
As 10 petitions or memorials upon the subject OF slave
am ready TO take the responsibility Of laying then
all on the table, believe that this whole agitation ii
wrong. believe that the tendency to ALLEVIATE the al
econs Of the people Of the Union. and to put in danger
is eontinuance but i am 70 be called upon TO lay
the table petitions for the action OF Congress, must DE-
the same with petitions for action; and il am to b,
called upon to lay upon the table petitions coming frou
tions coming from different quarter of the country.
must say again, sir that to the appl
cation Of one rule to petitions coming from the North
Of another rule to petitions coming from the South upo
the same subject and OF similar import
There seems TO be sentiment among many in the Sen
M and out e = that Z, KIP petitions h are 70 BE- received her
fringemenof the right of petition recognise the RICH
Of The people 70 petition to the fullest extent hay
s 70 DC Saa The q
the right TO petition only exists far the right exist
ogrant the prayer OF the petition II every has th
jurisdiction over IT,
But i will not 20 into discussion Of that branch
OF The subject hold that, underline constitution, th
Senate has the right TO dispose OF all petitions in sucl
manner as II may deem proper. The constitution pro
vdes that we shall prescribe rules OF proceeding
and the same power, which competent TO reject thu
prayer OF petition, 10 vote down bill, be CON
peent lay the motion for the reception Of petition OF
the table. is therefore, in my judgment, question
expediency and OF propriety only, how far we vii
proceed in the different steps OF legislation upon each
petition which is presented 10 us And, sir, upor
petitions Of certain character am free to say that an
not disposed to take up the time Of the Senate nor tc
show sufcient respect TO the objects Of the prayer OF IN,
petitioners to receive them and refer them 10 committees
and OF all the petitions that could be devised the petition
now presented-a petition TO take steps towards dissoy
ing the American Unon--is for which should fee
the very least obligation 10 treat with respect or TO take
time 10 consider. hold, in the first place. that we have
no power under The constitution 10 grant the prayer oil
the petition. Secondly: il we have the power Is mora
treason to give counienance encouragement 10 the
prayer Of such petitions For these reasons am uerl,
opposed to the reception Of such petition We have nc
right, and presume have no desire, 10 consider OF
act upon the question OF the dissolution OF the American
Union and think that have therefore right to re-
ceive or entertain petitions relating TO the subject
am glad that we have opportunity now TO make a
test question upon this subject whether all petitions oi
every kind and description that anybody may choose to
send here are entitled to be entertained BY us. shall
vote against the reception OF petitions, not only upon
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