The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-08


not long since that il ocious in the people Of the
sayehoding States to petition in relation TO the ex
this District, the only way in which the gentleman to my
right Mr. HALEl attempted to evade my suggestions was
by saying that the petitioner now residing in New Hamp
SHIRE might emgrate TO Kentucky. into this Dis
tric and hence he had interest in the laws OF either
place. They might affect him hereafter LIS aM
Mr.: HALE Will the senator allow me to ask him
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. Certainly. t,J
Mr.. HALE ask the senator, then, it, during the ff.
teen years which he has been in Congress- he has ever
known petition to be presented to interfere with slavery
MI UNDfERwooD. Yes, sir certainly have. why,
Congress TO abolish the slave trade between the States ia
violation Of the decision OF the Supreme Court Of the
MI. BUTLER. am yery conddent that ,he senator
from New Hampshire has himself introduced petitions
asking for the abolition OF slavery everywhere am
aware that he has disav9wed The right Of Congress 70 Do
nent Of presenting petitions OF this description.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. Petitions for the interruption oi
the trade in slaves between the different slavehoding
States have often been presented here II is direct In
termeddling with State concerns and the laws which
they pray may be passed would not operate upcs the
petitioners My argument is to show that those who are
not subject to the law who do not feel lis effects upon
for those who do feel and are bound q obey One acor
porated town in the same State has no right to petition
and dictate TO any other town the nature and kind of
local regulations shall adopt either in respect to police
o eounes saes Whatever belongs
appropriately to the people OF the place. and others have
right in any manner to interfere. Slavery is local
institution, and each Jurisdiction has the exclusive
right to dispose Of i free from foreign interference
But il is conended the people Of the North may right
fully interfere with slavery in the District Of Columbia.
are therefore, responsible for it. deny it, sir. admit
that Congress has the constitutional power to abolish
slavery u as ps1 s o so it. Woa @ ss
into the argument upon that question now. admit
the power but, then say that, because the constu-
ltN
exercise exclusive legislation in all whatsoever
for the District OF Columbia, does not by any
follow that The members Of Congress to take their in
structons from and egslate to meet the views OF the
electors by whom they elected governor Pres
dent who appoints Judge has no right on that account
to control his judgments and decisions. Although the
their legislators, nevertheless the powers vested in Con-
gress for their government are held in trust according to
erned and not for the grahcaton OF the whims and ca
prices of the electors or appointing power. How SUI
premely ridiculous would il be for the electors Of the
President themselves chosen the organs through
which to express the popular w 10 undertake TO pre-
scribe the in which the President shall discharge
his executive duties hold that the members OF Con-
ernmen to look 10 the views, and feelings and interests
Of the people Of The District in legisatng for them and
lucky, or Massachusetts. or New Hampshire, who may
have been here, who cannot know. understands
express the peculiar condition, wants. and interests of
the people here as well as they can, acting Tor themselves
therefore regard the petitioner, residing in State. who
presents his petition asking Congress to pass such laws
for the government OF this District the petitioner ap
proves Just much intermedder the citizen OF the
District would be- were he to petition the legislatures OF
the States in relation 10 their internal and domestic affairs
petuay prompting the Pharisee and hypocrte to the vo
laion OF what we in Kentucky call the eleventh
msndment, which enloins, mind your own business.
will always induce gentlemen and legislative as
semblies to receive and consider with respect all
propositions and suggestions for the Improvement OF
kindw w are serO To heir
But when the same thing has been presented and
jected often as to DEFY computation It becomes oen
sve; especially when the petitioner is inermeddle in
matters which deeply concern Others and have little
connexion with the affairs and business OF the petitioner
The right OF petition founded on the personal griey
OF the petitioner. have always regarded this right
OF great practical value 10 the citizen; and, where the
right exists, there is corresponding duty the part Of
the grievance complained Of How is the existence Of
slavery in this District grievance to the citizen OF
Manei Isnot the existence OF slavery in Russia, Brazil
does its existence anywhere affect him Is tbecause his
sympatbes and senslbilies wounded that he abofs
under such grievance as TO give him the right Of pet
ton II this be the foundation of his rightand con-
fess otherthen there is no limit to the right OF
petition. II covers and extends throughout the world
and the and women Of Maine have the right to
ature OF Kentucky with their petitions that they have 10
consume the time Of Congress Whatever rights wound
thence for political action, they should be confined
the jurisdiction country in which the laws are 10
TO operate This rule allows every cilzen unrestricted
liberty, by petition otherwise TO ask for the repeal or
passage OF laws for his government, and prohibits
ntermeddng with the laws Of people inhabng sep
arate jurisdiction or country.
Now, Mr. President the great question is, whether
get along one people under the difficulties which
surround u.s. hope and trust that il may be done; but
all must admit that there is danger that will not be
DONE | am convinced that there al present great
many persons calculating the value OF the Union know
that there great many who are disguised and exas
perated by the perpetual taonts which issue from the
North upon the institution OF slavery, and by the false
charges OF cruelty and nhumanity made against slave
holders The rapid natural increase OF our slave popn-
ation is complete refuaton OF the charges OF cruelty
and inhumaDty. Among the dscontened have heard
declarations TO this eect that, II the antslavey agta
lion Is 10 be perpetuated il Congress is TO accomplish
no sauiary legislation, month after month"; and year after
YEAR (and what have we been doing for the last four
months but waste time the slavery question -if this
state OF things continue forever, would be better TO
separate from the savehong States at once than TO
continue connexion productive OF so much crlminaon,
hatred and pickering The rich agricultural productions
of the South are often referred 10 by the dsconteated and
more profitable foreign commerce anticipated under the
auspices OF a southern conicderacy than that we
have In word, have heard the glorious and hap
Words and The destiny OF the republic, with Cuba
as a component part, commended as opening new
chapter in the history OF man. unequaed by anything 10
the pages OF the past have heard all these things with
increduiy and notifications but cannot doubt that y y
seriously contemplated TO indocrnate the southern mnd
with the idea of their accomplishm mt and ultimately
achieve il, by means OF the agitation and excitement
growing out OF the slavery question. cannot shut my
ewes to the danger that things may De attempted,