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

thew entertain no such doctrines as are presented in that
petition It's the doctrine Of some violent black hearted
Mr. HALE regret that the honorable senator from
Pennsylvania, when he anxious to find out the
character OF that petition, did not to and inquire
from whence il came; il he had done So he could have
seen the letter IN which Il was enclosed Whether il is
spurious not. do not know The honorable senator
seemed 70 think that they who this memorial here are
all black hearted aboloniss, federalists and wings OF
1893 beg leave 10 inform the honorable senator that
have petition Of very different characteristic names
and written IN ~ey az different si have
no doubt that if the honorable senator will peruse H.
when send i to the Clerks table, he will see il is not
spurious do not know the color OF their hearts, but
have no doubt the petition is genuine.
| MIR. MASON, (interposing.) Win the honorable sen.
aor be kind enough permit the Clerk to read that let
ter 10 which he refers, that we may know what il isl
/ MIR. HALE. Certainly, sir; certainly, sir.
1 1.-The letter enclosing the petition to Mr. HALE was
read by the Clerk II requested him to present the petit
tion, stating that il was similar to petitions upon the
subject which he had sent him during the last session
requested him TO send him documents, &c
MI. HALE. want. MIR. President to draw the at
DoUGLAsl before sit down, to this subject and also 10
occupy the attention OF the Senate for moment upon 1t
find by looking into the journal of the Senate that on
March al lS4S, several petitions were presented from
citizens OF Baltimore praying for the abolition OF slavery
4 in the District Of Columbia Objections were made 70
their reception, and they were laid upon the table The
same senator-myse-- seven petitions from
take such measures as will abolish slavery in the Union,
i
table. The journal then reads:
"Mr HALE presented petition from the State of Penn
syvana praying the adoption Of for the peace
full dissolution OF the Unions ordered that they he upon
the table"
find upon the very next page, that the ayes and noes
TAKEN and the delegation from Illinois were full at
tons offered asking precisely the same thing upon
The part Of the Senate they were received, no objection
made, and they laid upon the table, and were
o MI poU y L neposns Viii The honorable
senator allow to ask him if those petitions TO which
he refers were,not received before the nature OF them
known, and that being received the only mode TO
get rid Of them TO lay them instantly upon The table
Mr. HALE can answer the senator, that such was
not the case never presented petition q this Senate
pretty audible voice. believe generally make my
self heard: do not know to what committee il was
proposed TO send the the Committee on
1 Mr. DOUGLAS Better not send them to the Commit
tee Territories, for there is member OF that commit
ee will venture to say, who would entertain PROPOSE
ton to dissolve the Union either peaceaby orcby
4 Mr.. DAWSON. The question Of slavery, Mr.. Pres
ident, will not now enter into wish to ask some
questions OF the honorable senator from New Hampshire
Does he recognise the power in the Congress OF the Uni
ted States to peaceaby or forciby dissolve this Union
Is his desire to lay the foundation for the commence
ment oil such process! Does he feel himself pa.
trio, senator representing one OF the sovereign
States of this Unon called upon to present that remen
,a IN s s nc na
or if the honorable is instructed by his consttu
ency to make the effort then let be received Why are
we constantly rtated here by the presentation OF pe
tons OF this kind, upon which he knows that there can
be action the part OF Congress Is it for the pur-
pose OF irritating one section OF this country or is to
crafty the feelings OF those who are said 10 be fanatics
upon this SUBJECT If be neither OF these motives why,
sir disturb the peace and harmony OF this Union and the
legitimate business Of this body, by the presentation OF
such petitonsi Is it crafty personal feeling or
what object is there in 1t
This question about the Union is one that am not
going now to discuss II gentlemen have inward feelings
~
had better not express those feelings here. II they do,
let it be upon occasion when the voice OF this body
mind upon no question OF this kind to discuss any grave
constitutional question but do think II is due TO the
country due to this UnonNorth and South, East and
West-tha they be told what are the moves.of gentle
men in presenting such petitions The honorable senator
from Pennsylvania, Mr. STURGEON knowing the con.
sutona objections existing against the exercise OF such
power by this body like patriot and senator, refused 10
presept those petitions from his State TO harass, rr
tate, and perplex this body; and they find
ask the honorable senator from New Hampshire II he
knows the feelings Of the people OF Pennsylvania upon
this subjects and ask him II il becomes him senator
be receiving every petition from unknown 10
him. to be presented to this bodypetitons uncertain in
q their character often, and leading to no good.
. Now, sir, when the gentleman places himself in POI
eition TO be the mere avenue OF lrritaon--the mere
source from which everything calculated TO perpex this
body shall comeits constitutional right he has 10
present them, and ii il also constitutional right We
have say 10 him, under the powers delegated
Senator's that not that body that has been desg
9 mated to dissolve this Union. and that body
who representing the sovereignty oil these States should
let that feeling go before the Unions but with here
no such efforts can lind favor
But, repeat, do intend 10 discuss that question
II the feelings OF this country OF such character
urge any portion OF this people TO believe that they
improperly linked together by this constitution, then, il
the proper application made to dissolve this connexon,
will hear it but here 10 this body say again. lei il
not prevail Peacefully il never be done -forciby
would be degradation The gentleman knows that all
his efforts tend the exercise OF constitutional power
but probably TO forcble revolution, commencing either
in this body the other But yet hepeope abroad
knowing that Congress has power 10 dissolve the
Union are led TO believe that leading step
by STEP to bring us 10 a state OF revolution Can il be
viewed any other light And yet 10 sit here from
day day and these agtalons brought the hon
orable senator from says by spurious papers
into this body What regret is that there should be
willing or hands prepared to receive these papers thus
calculated to disturb, and present them here. Why, sir,
IL were, southern man. 10 present such petitions
from my section OF the Union, should be denounced
from end OF the country 10 the other traitor 20 the
constitution, and designing to dissolve the Union which
has been cemented by the blood OF those worthy
than Yet il i here done day after day. hour
after hour and If southern says word, he is de-
nounced. To whom do they referi Who are they to
operate upon Are they intended TO operate upon the
section OF country that gave them birth Is IT not the
design to destroy political and constitutional rights,
and to degrade equality and personal position 10 this
repubcl These personal questions which all should