The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-12

grievances under which the citizen or subject labors
while he continues citizen or subject.
Now, what is this petition do not deal with the
petition memorial at all, sir, in reference TO the ground
gon which places its request OF preamble II puts In,
by way OF preamble, some objection TO the matter oi
slavery, and, consequence upon that asks Congress
peaceably TO dissolve the Union would deal with the
petition or memorial exactly as would have dealt with
II if had here and had assigned reason at all
would vote against 1t in the case exactly as
would vote against il in the other II asks to do that
which we have right to do, and is in its character
respectful TO the body 10 which il is addressed. The very
first element OF proper petition is that il must be m lis
character respectful to the body which is addressed
petition may be disrespectfu not in mere language,
not in mere form but i may be disrespecu In its SUBJ
ask me in any phraseology, care not what it may
be- to commit perjury, or 10 be guilty Of treason
and if that be the substance Of the subect-m matter
Or the phraseology is nothing Now. sir. what is the
request of this petitions In mild and respectful language,
i comes here and addresses the representatives of
Union; asks put end to this federal government
asks us to destroy the constitution peaceably Why, SIR
the first thing did upon entering this body to take
an oath to support that constitution which these men
come here and ask peaceably to destroy Is respect
full to this body to ask us TO do that thing which we
haye positively sworn we will not do think not, SIR
But my friend from New Hampshire Mr.. HALEl has
said and said, think, with point too, that there
are wrongs upon both sides Of this question so with
him IN reference TO certain remarks he made in regard to
petition presented by the honorable senator from North
Carolina, [Mr MASGUM.l When | entered this body
some seven years ago. or heeabouts there was one
form rule usage acted upon BY the Senate upon the
presentation OF these petitions tending to the agitation Of
the question OF slavery. motion to receive was laid
upon the table That had been the uniform rule for
time anterior to that and in reference to the hundreds Of
practice has been applied to them ALL without single
exception. II was done, as understand as kind OF
compromise upon this floor. When petition or memo.
laid upon the table; thus putting the memorial upon the
hes and entering il upon the minutes OF the Senate Il
goes upon the journal and for all practical purposes It
stands in the same position if it had been received and
laid upon the table, II was species OF compromise
upon The matter getting rid OF debate upon this exciting
subject
memorial Of that kind was offered some time since
by the senator from New York, Mr. SEWARD and and
my associates acting in good faith, with the understand
ing that the practice OF ten years would be adhered TO IN
reference to this memorial voted that it should not be
ceived And if had hestated thus to vote, if the yeas
and nays had not been called, it wonld have made me
earnest 70 do when the gentleman chose to put
us upon record in regard TO matter Of that kind.
But, sir let say, with great respect this rule
usage ought to be lived up 10, upon both sizes OF the
chamber And permit me to say that i has been violated
in my Judgment in the case to which the senator from
New Hampshire Mr.. HALEl has referred--the OF
the memorial OF The senator from North Carolina MIR.
MANGUMl-in which the South has come before us to
agitate this question The rule never as understood it
applied simply to those cases where Congress asked
for some action One-half of these slavery memorials
have been nothing more than declaration of opn-
ion, enunciadn of sentiments; and the reception
OF those memorials whether asking Congress pass
laws or limiting themselves to the enunciation o
opinion, all laid upon the table, upon the rule and
very exciting subject which here and received
by friends upon the other side OF the chamber Now
sir the rule ought TO be applied to both sides of the qaes
Iae ss y Soa me
view TO avoid the agitation Of this question.
But this is outside Of the question under immediate
consideration and that is, whether will receive
memorial addressed to u.s. asking us directly destroy
the govemmento do il peaceably. to be sure. but ask
ing directly to destroy IT, That of that charac
ter OF memorials that think ought not TO be received
much less acted upon, the senator from New York
Mr.. SEWARD suggests by reference 10 a committee
with instructions report In reference to that matter
what position the Senate OF the United Saies would
now occupy What position, for special committee
OF this body to be appointed under instructions OF the
Senate to make report with resolution against the
prayer OF the petitioners My friend from New York
presents such prayer madman, and makes no conro
versy with nadmen; and yet he is TO have special
committee here. 10 be instructed to make an
judgment By madmeni Mr. President, II you appoint
committee OF that kind at this time Of day. il strikes me
that II will be placing ourselves in the position OF PLAN
countryman OF whom have heard, who refused, when
called upon, 10 to frothy indictment. upon
the ground that nothing wrenched him awuly tc
kick against nothing Who wants argument, or debate
or reason, in answer 10 memorial OF this kind? Fol
one, do not 20 against it.
Mr.. CASS, Mr.. President, no man who attends the
discussions IN the Senate can fail 10 perceive the predis
position winch prevails mere 10 push principles 10 tne
extremes II we do not find massive wall where they
must stop we follow them Indefinitely with as much
metaphysical zeal as any OF the disciples oil the ancient
schools OF logic, The provision respecting the right o
petition IL contained OF the amended articles o
the constitution which provides that Congress shall pass
no law to prevent the people from assembling peaceab
and petionng tor redress OF grievances do not deny
that the right thus secured is an important one, but dt
not rate by any high the honorable senator
from Ohio MIR CHAsEl appears to do. Thanks 10 The
wisdom OF forefathers and TO the spirit OF ns
tutions, the people OF this country have much
moro efficient remedy than the right OF petition fo
any abuse by The government, whether apprehended
you home, and me home, and all OF us home, and
10 put other and better men 10 our places, that the
wishes may be accomplished The ~ theirs
and the balotbox far better security for its faithful
administration than this humble tight OF petition In
England. whence the measure Is derived II is the bes
poor TOO there the experience OF every dag
demonstrates With hereditary Executive, hereditary
House of Lords, and n House OF Commons originally
elected for the LIE Of the sovereign the right TO petition
is about all that is left 10 the people. Why, sT, we
were utterly 70 refuse 70 receive petitions ~ this country
dignation and to hurl from our places. No legsla
ture in this broad land will ever place any improper
Limitation upon the exercise OF this right But, sr
the limitations which control IL necessarily arise
out of the nature OF things. You would not receive
a petition couehed IN insolent or obscene or pas
Congress declare that there God, and to pass
law prohibiting the people OF the United States IRON Al
sembng Tor the purposes OF religious Worship! would
you refer such petition, the senator from New fus
Mr. SEwARD proposes TO refer this with grave lnstruc
ons 10 report the proofs OF the existence oil Cod and
subject, which is found equally in the Book q Mature
and in the Book of and which with and