The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-18

mulse. as they WILL in my poor judgment, continue to ac-
enmulas iron session TO session. the result will be that
those who Halter themselves that they have arrested agl-
nton have by tbs very course created the agitation
whch u was their object 10 aay may be allowed 10
say ms ar because, although have era
had applied 10 me epthets OF agitation. happen 10 be
one member OF this body (how many more there are do
no, know who never introduced this ag siing subject Of
slavery here, who have been content with the debates
which were had upon when came egsavely before
~ bills which were in process oil becoming laws who
never have spoken this subject since these bills became
laws and oil whom II cannot be said that have any
manner or on any occasion by speech. BY writing
Otherwise addressed the people the subject these
laws were passed clam, then, 10 be OF those who
have been content TO leave these the scrutiny
OF the people, 10 be judgment, and to the OF time
and truth have added no codicils and have none TO
add, 10 enforce, vary, explain what was sadby myse
during The debates on tins subject Thus having nothing
to add now, and desire To interfere with the public ex
animation OF these questions in any manner but being
content 10 leave them to the examination Of the people,
Without interference on my part, shall only express
may do here may be respected and held sacred For that
reason, and Tor the other reasons have stated shall
vote against The recor sideraon
Mr, BADGER The distinction stated by the senator
IRON Georgia Mr. BERRIENl between the bill which
was offered by the senator from Indiana Mr. BRIGHT
and NE memorial the reconsideration and reference
| oil which Is now before the Senate, is clear and
palpable. That bill the object of which
was not 10 interfere with the provisions OF the
law OF 1893 but TO declare very unnecessary decara
uon as conceive) that the act of last session amend
he ACT OF 1873 did not repeal that act That is all The
bill OF the senator from Indiana proposes to touch
the provisions Of neither OF these acts, but DECLARE
The sense OF Congress, that the last act does not repeal
the first. Sl, MIR President, was extremely sorry that
the senator from Indiana introduced that bill was very
sorry that the bill was Instantly laid the table
for, although the distinction between the two
plain and obvious, saw then, and stated to several
friends, The use that would be made OF IL subsequent
occasions, when propositions OF this description
brought before the Senate. by reference to the reception
OF that bl
But now sir wish to say word upon the hum,
bug about the right OF petition. This, we know,
IN RELATION TO certain other transactions of the two
houses, has been seized upon and made a subject
OF fruitful discussion and denunciaion and small
mischief throughout the northern portion of the
United States, because rule was adopted by the
House OF Representatives that the question of receiv
ing such petitions should be LAID upon the table-in
other words, that the petition should not be received
Wen, now, we have newsconditon and extension OF
The right OF petition; but II understand the senator who
last addressed the Senate, Mr.. SEWARD he considers
that 10 lay the question OF receiving petition the
table, and 10 lay the petition on the liable after 1t is re-
ceved substantially and the thing, each in
yolvng practical denial OF the right Of petition Well,
them let us what TINS leads to, according 10 the
Tors idea. Ii receive petition memorial, although
the whole Senate may be OF opinion that nothing ought
to be done in reference TO the subject obliged to
refer it, If we lay on the table is refusal OF the
right OF petition; must refer it, Well, then, Mr..
President by precisely similar mode OF reasoning,
II the committee do not report upon 1t, (he Senate
must require them to report because reference is made
solely for the purpose OF arcporD is also denial OF the
| right of petition. Well the committee report and they
report bill in conformity with the prayer of the pe,i,
toner That report is before the Senate, and is moved
10 lay upon the table According TO the reasoning OF
the senator upon the sub ec that equally violation OF
the right of petition For il will be said, What! receive
petition, refer IT. have report made accompanied BY
bill TO accomplish the objects OF the petition. and then
treat the subject and the petitioners contemporary
not to consider it, bat 10 order TO lie upon the table
Mr. President, this is what habuay do We receive
memorials and petllions and order them to lie the
table, or we refer them according of the
cessiiy and proprety OF the references and hen
ceye petlon, To say that bound TO do thing
more out OF regard 10 the rights of the petitioners is to
that when they think proper 10 petition memorialize
Congress upon any subject Congress is not only Obliged
to hear their APPLICATION but IS obliged 10 act upon IL,
and for ausht see, obliged to do what they desire
Mr.. BERRIEN, lin his seat.) And 10 substitute
the judgment OF the petitioners for that of the Senate
Mr. BADGER. Yes, sir the senator from Georgia
well says that upon question whether any action
should De taken upon subject and whether il should
be considered and discussed, is 10 substitute the iudg
men, OF the petitioners for our own judgment
Now we told If we pursue this course, that shall
promote agitation, which the senator from New York
is extremely solictous 10 prevent And he talks about
the philosophy Of government and the philosophy OF
politics. think we have need TO involve oursel yes
in any OF the intricacies OF philosophy Here is law
passed al the last session. II the Senate satisfied
that that law ought TO exist until time and experience
have tested its merits dement's, then, with just
consideration Tor the country, and regard Tor their duty
they ought not TO dare pTema,arely 10 agate subject
which they believe has now been closed. and upon
which it would be unwlse, UNJUST offensive to the pub
lice TASTE and injurious the public interest by agtating
IN hostile and unfuendly manner, the public mnd-io
reopen Discussion, before they have had opportunity
to be able ascertain by experience whether the meas
ue they have adopted Is wise and good or not There
fore IT seems TO me this question has nothing 10 do with
the right oil petition unless II IS understood To be rg
TO compel this body TO consider the subject contained IN
the petition, irrespective OF lis own Judgment OF neces
sity propriey shall therefore, vote Tor the recon
sideraon, with the intention, when II is reconsdeTed
OF voting to lay the memorial the table, because be
eve The consequence OF such consideration VIII be
i injurious, and cannot be beneficial | will act upon
the exercise OF my Judgment feeling that ! have
not invaded the privileges rights OF any portion oil
the citizens OF the United States.
/ Mr. BRADBURY regard the decision Of this ques-
ton az OF no great practical mpoance-whsther be 10
reconsider the of reference, to leave the petition
| with the committee 10 whom has been referred. The
Committee the Judiciary have thus subject July before
them the present time, much so without tins peti-
ton wtih II.
Il Mr. FOOTE How isthat3
Il MI BRADBURY. A'pet,ion OF the sane character
was referred some months ago. and the committee have
agreed upon report The bill introduced by the sena
tor from Indiana the other day referred to the com
mee and they have also agreed upon report IN regard
to H. Perhaps should add that the committee deem
Legislation upon the whole subject nexpedient; so that
Il will make 10 practical difference whether The petition IS
referred or not The first petition that was laid on the
table was 40 disposed OIL for the purpose TO some extent
OF stopping debate, and preventing the useless consump-
ton OF lime 1t known that the morning business
was interrupted day after day. by prolonged debate upon
this subject OF slavery The proper business OF Congr
could be attended to, II this course was allowed 70
be continued voted TO lay the petition on the table
and shall do again, under like circumstances Every
one here that il would make no manner OF dbeT'
ence whether these petitions referred or lald on 'he