Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-04-13


have len few minutes ago. from the honorable Senate
from Kentucky think, sir that these remarks will trave
10 the different portions of this country well as other re
marks be has made upon this exciting question: and that
coming from individual who has served the country Ions
and faithfully, who has now arrived that stage when hi
ambition be only depart peace and see his country
to quiet and happiness will have great weight
effect cannot beeve- have refused to express the be
ef-that there is majority in the free States of this Unior
that counenance the incendaIy with which we arr
constantly annoyed but which have no other on thu
face Of the earth than TO ALLEVIATE section of the country
from other and make instead of friends
Why sir, the day before yesterday the petition which
hold in hand presented, and doubtless hundreds
others will follow in its train, asking the Congress of the
United States enrol the slaves of the slave States in The
militia Well, sir, what would follow after the enrolment
what would be the consequence of placing arms in the
hands To what would it lead Does every body know
that ncendary publications and ncenday speeches are cir
cua all this broad land with the intention Of exciting
that class Of population instruction Every reasonable
that il would have that effect upon them In
what condition does this place section Of this Union
have made advances to the North have made no ad.
dresses her fears in this controversy have asked nothing
except from her patriotism Do these petitions represent the
feelings of the North Do the representatives who consume
time in creating excitement and then aunt Southern Sena-
tore with replying their speeches. do they represent the
feeling Of the North trust in God that they do II
they do what will be the consequence II is intended or
least be intended produce precisely what
stated and if evil consequences follow, 20 back
and relieve ourselves from Them by looking the good
lions OF the men VINO nave produced the mischief The effect
Of this is to appeal to the slaves which have home
rise and burn my house and my wife and chill
dren And this is bravery God deliver me from such
bravery. This is holiness If this be conscientious Dis
charge Of duty God if this be manifesiing pro-
per degree Of and bravery, then have reflected and
learned from ohe.s older than myself but very little purpose
Sir will not proceed further. Ihope. pray of God that
these things may appeal to those who agtae them
and thought could be heard among their constituents,
would call upon the eemen of the North rise up and at
ebuke this sectional feeling, which must, if it on,
end in making the htterest enemies IT. sir upon my
turn from my seat should find my house in ashes my wife
and children massacred though have much bravery
to boast of trust have enough however, always
conduct myself properly with all mankind would feel
that had dsgraced the name Of didno consider the
ncendiary villain that had stirred such mischief in my do
mesc circle my enemy. And If did not long as
drop of blood coursed this good right arm him SUCH
should consider, sir, that had degraded the form of
ask, in conclusions that this petition may be read.
The Secretary read the petition as follows:
70 the Senate and House Of Representatives Of the United
States of .inerica, in Congress assembled
We the undersigned citizens of the county Ontario
tn State OF New York view Of the provisions and copro
misses Of the constitution enonng upon the people Of the
the maintenance Of Central Government would call the
attention OF Congress to the present inequality in the military
distinction made whereby large class numbering
than three millions Of people, entirely exempted from
rolment and military duty This large class residing chiefly
in the Southern States, the chief burden of the system, and
of the national Defence nsurrect invasion is
thrown upon the Northern States In of nsurrecton
INVASION the whole power of the North may be called upon
defend the South but respectfully submit similar
occurring the North reliance upon the aid of
Southern brethren must owing to the inequality to which we
have referred be extremely limited it utterly vain. We
insist that all the burdens and obligations of the
people of the several States ought to be, in all respects
equal and mutual.
We the undersigned therefore respectfully but l
aak and insist that your honorable body will Immediately
NEEDY this inequality BY the passage Of law for the enrol
nent OF the militia of all the States which shall include all
OF persons without any distinction of color cond
lion and your petitioners &c.
Mr. RUSK. This petition was presented and laid upon
he table the other day without my noticing i.
MI. BUTLER. stand somewhat peculiarly related to
his subject The other day felt satised-what fully
rmed this mornngwhat would be the consequence Of
axng the rules by which petitions Of this kind excluded
rather received Scarcely had the fires of sectional
excitement burnt down and become somewhat smothered,
egn State 10 part pouring them in here, he would fuel
o kindle fire which all must is putting in jeopardy
he institutions of this country Mr. President, suppose
he entire Northern population should become affected like
hese petitioners and should language and indicate
views such expressed in this petition could the South
rn people live with them brethren Then what is the
inject of these petitions 1t either to insult those assocat
ID with them under compact, to excite and
spread public opinion the North that would assmate the
opinion Of the entire population at the North to the opinions
expressed in this petition. My friend from Texas says God
grant that the progress of this thing may be arrested but
Mr. President, am afraid utter truth when say that
hat progress not destined to be arrested Sir two Of the
distinguished Senators this floor have exerted their
voices and their influence and what has been the
has brought down upon the Nesor Of the
Senate the Senator from Kentucky (Mr CLAr) is
lines termed, systematic attack from different quarters
what has been the fate of the distinguished Senator from
Massachusetts,. (Mr. WEBsTER) Why, public meetings
been held and he has been denounced in every FORM
md for what For avowng the broad duty Of good faith in
compliance with treaties and the compromises OF the consu
lion. Sir, that very influence of which have been speak
exeed through this body, and the Senate Of the United
States is made the heart from which this poison is TO circulate
throughout: every part the land And there those here
who minister that feeling by making themselves the nstru
nens to present these petitions, to get up this public opinion
for the denuncaon Of part Of the United Ststes with
view organize party in another, by which they to
array them in hostile attitude towards each other And yet
when Southern gentlemen rise and complain Of this, it little
than eason according to the press OF the North, and
according the view of Of these gentlemen themselves
Moderate and appeal to the constitution and
pobaed Men interested rise and express themselves
warmly. But all denounced. Constant atrtion,
Mr. President, will away the solid rock, and this
tDued dripping from the abolition ountains-pollued foun
tans they arehas already made impression of some
thing than attrtion. And yet these petitions
will continue to come and know Of way Of avoiding III
and said the other day. let them and with them
let the issue come Let the issue come For repeat is
impossible unt create ssue and that will put the
Union in jeopardy have adjustment OF these questions
Let the issue come, then, again repeat.
Mr.. FOOTE. must confess that am not SO much ex-
cited this occasion several Of my beloved friends here or
have been myself upon several former occasions rather
think sir, that the action which has been commented upon
the introduction of certain petitions here, and the agitation
kept upn connection herewih-s simply part Of the policy
Of certain class of politicians in the North with the view
the cultivation Gas have heretofore had very broadly adj
mted before us of sort of local popularity, with view 10
their personal advancement do believe indeed