Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-02-22

while others were casting inpedmentsfor they but
impedimens this of agtston, publicly declared
10 the Senate that far concerned should not
from that time forth raise any opposition any petition OF
such character which might be introduced to this Senate
aud say now, in my closing remarks, that you might as
well attempt put maniac asleep by luabies restrain
agitation on this subject
Mr. HALE am exceedingly gratifed by the remarks
of the Senator from South Carolina this subject and
think there is great deal of truth in them But want to
call the attention of the Senate to this consideration in the
DISPOSITION Of this question: take il il will be conceded by
eyery body that it is desirable have the laws which
pass particularly quescent laws unm in their opera
ton have read all the papers, and not posted up
upon the proceedings in all the States know that this
law has operated differently in several States think
know how has operated in three OF the States and more
diverse operation OF simple law cannot we'll be conceived
This is the reason why think little more legislation is
needed For instance in New York slave has been seized
and sent back his master and Sold suppose that
ryng the objects of the law TO the full extent in the minds
of some In Pennsylvania freeman has been kidnapped
and sent slavery That 10 the operation of the law in
happened that the man whom the
freeman sent bad humanity than the law and the
officers Of the law, and he sent him back sgsn to freedom
Come Massachusetts, and what is Incorporation there
learn by the newspapers received this morning that slave
has arrested there under the law and has been taken
mob out Of the United States court room and liberated
There is not much uniformity then in the operation of this
law in New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, and
would suggest the Senate WHETHER n consideration of the
law little Legislation is not desirable II is possible
may wish to make the law little Stringent. There
is distinction admitted between this petition and the bill Of
the honorable Senator from Indiana but think the honora
BILE Senator from North Caroline exceedngy unfortunate in
his illustration he says tho bi Of the honorable
Senator from Indiana declare what the meaning Of
the law of $780, whereas this petition for alteration Of
the law trust is too late in the day for the Senate N the
United States undertaketo adudcate to what was the
legal effect of the passed year ago. tRk the Supreme
ha ad
proceeding any further in such wild goose chase that
because il there any thing which belongs properly TO the
Judicial department of this Government must be to cons
der the construction Of law passed year It belongs
exclusively to the judiciary But think the argument Of
the Senator from North Carolina operates against the intro
ducton Of the bill of the Senator from ndiana and in favor
petition because the petition what upon, and
the bill calls for action upon subject which belongs to the
prerogatiyes of the judiciary.
When discussing this subject year ago, of
the most asute and clear headed LAWYERS in the Senate,
mean my friend from Kentucky, mr. VNnERwooD,) under
took to lay down distinction between petition which comes
from those among whom is to operate and coming om
those among whom it is not to opere. If the law is to
operate upon the people who make h petition, II is to
be executed amongst the then ceat they have right to
petition, and consequently bound to receive their pc
tion. Well this Is exactly the case This petition comes
from part Of the country where the law to go into opera
on, in the free States 1t to oPrate upon the citizens
there. II imposes duties upon then, and puts them under
heavy responsibilities and therefore comes within the case
put BY the Senator from Kentucky where there clear OBJ
legation to receive the petition That being the trust
shall have the Of the Senatr from Kentucky against
the reconsideration of the making the reference.
But much has been said by senaors the right and left
about the right of petition Let say that do not attach
much importance to the right Of petition to this body The
right of petition should be to the le and is to them that
mean to make my appeal bare tried here enough to
know that this the place and the people will listen
me will tell them spend hr breath among themselves
Some gentlemen to escew the ephet of agitator
Sir every thing valuable in the institutions enjoy the
result of agtaton and it is onyeror that skuks from 1t
Truth does not fear it. Instead Of washing my hands Of the
charge of being agitaor, gloy in having done what little
have 10 merit the in which OConne eoiced, and to
merit the given all those though whose exerons in
times past whenever political reformation has been wrought
out, has Aye sir wheH there is agitation there
stagnation ed corruption, and DEATH But agitation is
the great element of life; it through agitation that the
American revolution sprung into being it was agitation
which gave birth to the American constitution it the life
and breath Of every thing valuable and when every
thing worth having IN existence will die Under the
tosid exhaatons that will spring up from that putrefacon
which must when the egvng element Of agitation is
withdrawn, all these will perish. @
No, sir, glory in the name Of agator wish the
try might be agitated vastly than is The great fault
that it is not agtated half enough Thereae many
which require agitation and nobody but thos who hug
gng delusion and errors fatal errors have any thing to fear
from that ifegivng element which will impat its healing as
did the waters Of the pool the beautiful gae of the temple
Nobody that stepped into that pool cond beheaed until the
angel had gone down and stirred and agitate the
Mr. BERRIEN. When the Senator from New Hamp-
shre advises his coauos to transfer these peeches cacu
lated not intended produce excitement among the people
of this Union, from the Senate chamber Il the stump, i.
would have been gratifying if he had enforce bis precp by
his example But rise for the purpose Of ealing the attention
of the Senate the nature Of the memorial which has pro-
duced this discussion. Unquesionably vas by
sight that the Of the Senate to refer it 10 the Judiciary
Committee taken. Sir, what is it We told that
the sgners of this paper respectable persons What evil
dence there in the paper presented to the Senate that this
memorial signed by these individuals Here
several sheets Of paper which Inscribed, and
the top of these papers pasted memorial There not
the slightest evidence upon the face Of the paper that that
moal subscribed by the individuals whose
attached to it. And they Of the respectable character
which is given them by the Senator from Maine Of which
will not permit myself express because do not entertain
moments doubt the inference is plain that such
Of respectable character have signed such petition
What is it Il states that you passed law at the last
session Of Congress which violates the constitution Of the
country which in conflict with the duties which to
humanity, and 10 God law With the requ
sitions of which they not willing TO comply and to the
penalties Of which they not disposed 10 submit Iii this
calling therefore oI modification repeal OF the
fugitive slave law, which, by vote Of the Senate is to be
ferred to the Judiciary Committee. And now, pray you,
what is the inquiry what the inquiries which that Com
mttee is to make We are to inquire if the Congress Of
the United Sates1at the last session have passed law 10
violation OF the constitutions have passed law violating
the duties Of benevoence and humanity, and the duty
which to God we to inquire whether these
moras are bound by the acquisitions OF that hw to submit
to its requirements bear the infection Of its penalties
ask whether this is such memorial ought be referred
by this Senate to one of its committees think, apart
from all that has been said on this subject the character Of
this memorial that fobids such reference. trust
that the motion Of the Senator from Missouri will prevail
that the subject will he reconsidered and since the memo