The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-12
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
MONDAY, February II, 1850.
SENATE.
FIRST SESSION.


The VICE PRESIDENT said the motion to re.
ceive the petition praying the peaceful dissolution
Of the Union was the first business in order.
Mr.: CHASE said that when this business was be-
fore the Senate on Friday, and passed over, he was
about TO say that petitions Of similar character
had been frequently presented TO both branches of
the.Legislature of his State and had been received
and in one branch of that Legislature the petition
had been reported upon, and most deliberately dis
cussed. The right of petition was right which
Congress had power to abridge by law, and
which Congress had power to abridge by re-
fusing to receive the petition He had no sympa-
thy with the prayer of the petitioners Those at the
north who were opposed TO the extension of slavery
would not attain their ends by dissolution; nor
would the South be released by dissolution from the
alleged causes of complaint.
The Legislature of his State had spoken unani-
mously on the subject of dissolution and when this
petition should be received and come before the
Senate Tor action, it would be that he, much
as any other, was in favor Of the Union and OPP
posed TO dissolution.
Mr.. DAYTON said that he would vote against
the reception of this petition. He was in favor of
the right OF petition and recognised it to the fullest
extent. II was the right of suit against the Gov
ernment II was a mode to obtain a redress of
grievances from the supreme authority, and such
was sacred right. But he never could recognise
the right ofpetition when proposed to the supreme
authority to destroy its own existence
Again, IT was not respectful to the body to which
II was presented. petition. proposing that the
/
respectful The Senators had, before taking their
seats, sworn to support the Constitution; could
they now be asked, with any degree of respect to
violate that oath, and destroy the Constitution He
had voted to sustain the motion adopted by the SEN
ate in relation to abolition petitions By the rule
adopted, they were laid the table, and the fact of
their presentation appeared on the journal. This
was q compromise.
truly that there was ofcomplainton both sides
He was surprised that this rule had been violated and
the memorial of the people of Wilmington, North
Carolina, on the subject oslayery, had been received
Senator from New York, on the subject of slavery.
had been rejected. He still for adherinp TO the
rule; but if the Southern Senators were DISPOSED TO
make difference, he would be obliged; to vote for
the reception of all papers.
Mr.. CASS said he could never vote for the recen
ton of this petition. The right of petition was in
this country, comparatively, but small affair.
Where the Legislative body was permanent one, ;.
there the right OF petition was of importance;
but here, where the people have the right to speak
through the ballot box every few months they had
a much more speedy and effcctual mode To obtain
redress OF grievances. But even the right of pc
tition had every where a limitation. An obscure
petition would not be received petition that
would declare that there was no God would hardly
lind any one to favor its reception A petition
from persons known to be insane would not be re-
ceived; and no one out of an insane hospital, or
who ought not be in one, would ever petition for
the dissolution of this Union. He hoped that thew
would not be struck with judicial blindness as were
the Jews of old. The peaceful dissolution of this
Union9 Il was folly to suppose such a thing prac-
ncaoie. pisunion must be by war; the Gordian
knot which binds these States must and can onlv
be severed by the sword. And the war will not be
an ordinary one. II will be a struggle uneoualled
In the annals OF the world. The greater the frater-
mai ieehng now existing IN the Union, the greater
hatred Will exist in the war of dsunion. The peo-
pie OF this country all too fond of the Union
and the subject should not enter our minds. Men
however, talk fippantly of dsunion, as if il were
thing easily to be accomplished. The Senator from
South Carolina had passed an eulogium on General
Scott because he bad not taken advantage of his
power and his influence with the army while in
Mexico lie esteemed General Scott as highly IA
any one, and granted him all the honor conceiva-
Bile, but Tor this he gave him credit. Even il
the General could have forgotten his allegiance 10
to his own country, there was not humble cor
poral or private in the army who would not have
deserted him the moment he raised his own flag;
not one who would not return to the stars and
stripes.
Mr.. WEBSTER agreed with all that had lust
fallen from the Senator from Michigan but partic-
ularly with what he had said about that most mis-
taken OF all IDEAS the peaceful dissolution of the
Union" He thought these petitioners should
have drawn their petition somewhat as follows:
Gentlemen, Senators, and Representatives of
Congress whereas at the commencement Of the
present session Of Congress, you, and each of you,
before taking your seats, solemnly swore on the
Holy Evangely Of Almighty God, that you would
support and maintain 20 the utmost of your abili-
ties the Constitution of the United States therefore
we most earnestly pray, that you do now overturn
that Constitution and destroy the government
Mr.. BUTLER said, these petitions to dissolve the
Union came from those who, taking the firebrands
from the altar, threw them into the temple 10 bring
II to ashes and ruin, and who would then deliver
sermons on its destruction
Mr.. HALE said that at the last sessiop sevcral
similar petitions had been presented and no storm
had been created nor was there any talk of burn
ing temples or funera1 sermons The Senator
from Massachusetts, (MT- DAvIs) had declared
that he would not vote 10 receive a petition which
asked him 10 do that which he had not the power
10 do. IL this were correct, then the South was
night In refusing 10 receive petitions for the aboli-
ton OF slavery in this District, the South believing
Congress had no such power.
Mr.. FO0TE congratulated the Senator on his
conversion 10 the opinion that the South was right
Mr.. DAVIS, OF Massachusetts,, said that this petit
ton asked him to do that which he had sworn not
20 do
Mr.. WALES said he had examined the petition,
and had not found 10 Il the name Of any person
known 10 him az a resident Of Delaware. There
were no persons in Delaware in favor Of disunion
Delaware was The last 70 adopt the Constitution,
and she would be the last 10 surrender IL.
Mr.. COOPER was in favor Of the right of pcti-
ton In it, most extended sense But this petition
not respectful 10 the body and IL proposed that
he should violate the oath TO support the Constitu-
ton, taken by him when he presented himself as
Senator. He would vote against is reception
Mr.. CLEMENS was glad 10 hear Senators an.
nounce themselves AZ opposed 10 disunion. But he
would rather have more action and less talking IL
was fashionable 10 charge every man who declared
his intention 70 resist wrong as disorganiEer and
a factionist- He had incurred the charge by de-
Tending the South. What bad the South done to
wards disunion' II was the North, by her aggres-
sions, who expcdting disunion. No man in
the country had greater desires 10 preserve this
\ Union than he bad; yet he had been denounced by
/ the smsll-fry politicians ne disunionist A few
| days ago one Of this class, minnow who swims in
the waters Of Pennsylvania politics, had delighted
his small auditory by declaring that he held VIII
MOT in A. great contempt az he did FooTE and
CLrnESs. He supposed the Senator from Missis-
sippi would survive this attack. He thought he
could stand IL. nc ardent ~ any 20 pre-
serve this Union, and there was no man at the
south who would dare 20 propose dissolution Of
/ the Union.
Mr.. sEwABD stated that the issue TO be decided
by the vote was this Shall the petition be rejected
or shall IL be received and referred n committee
with Instructions 20 report that Congress has nei-
Their the power nor the inclination 70 grant the
prayer
Mr.. FOOTE asked the Senator IL he was willing
10 receive and refer petition coming from mad