Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-07-03


Pierce while member of the House Of Rep.
rcsentatiycs. adds the following history Of hi,
Senatorial career.
"In Tic year 1887, Mr.. Pierce became mem.
her Of the United States Senate. Following
him thither, VIC shall find that he continued to
pursue the same line of policy in relation to the
Slavery question. 1Io took his stand by tho
side of Mr.. Calhoun, and stood by him in his
ciFor,5 to suppress Anti. Slavery agitation and
discussion.
December IS, 1887 Mr.. Wall presented
petition from nti.Slavcry ladies in New Jcr-
soy, praying ior tic abolition Of Slavery in the
District Of Columbia, and moved to lay it on
the table. Mr.. Hubbard moved to lay that
motion on the table. Mr. Clay was in favor OF
arclcroncc, and report against the PRAYER Of
the petition, with view to quietiug excitement.
Mr.. Calhoun wished by summary measures to
meet tho question at once. As the action of Mr..
Pierce in this case has been tho subject of mis-
apprehension with our friends of the Evening
Post, We shall fully explain IT, His whole
course in the House had proved him an uuro-
lcnting opponent Of Al ti-Slayery discussion,
and petitions; and lie had uniformly sustained
all gag-rcsolutions on the subject. But While
violating the right Of petition in effect, lie had
been polite enough to rcspoctit in form. This
course he continued in the Senate. On this oc-
casion he was in caror OF receiving the petition,
and then Of getting rid Of il in any way best
calculated to defeat its object and prevent agi-
tatjon. lie did not wish TO give the Abolition
lists chance "to make up false issue on the
right of petition In another place lie said
" All VIC demand is, that since We are to be the
lrs. to feel the effect of Abolition asccndcncy at
home, should it ever be acquired, (Which by the
way, by no means anticipated we may meet
the question unembarassod, and not be driven
by any course here upon a collateral issue, such
as the right Of petition or any other"
This is key to the policy of Mr. Pierce
Mr.. Rivcs was in favor of rejecting the petition
at once-Mr Hubbard, of laying the question
Of reception on the table, Mr. Pierce, of laying
| the petition on tho table. Tho avowcd object
of each was to stamp the petitions with disap-
! probation, to prevent all debate and considcra-
ton. to get rid of them as summarly as possible
every ono meanwhile declaring his respect for
the right Of petition.
"Whcn petitions Of this character should be
| received" he said, "hc would be prepared to
act upon them without delay, to reject the pray
er of the petitions, to lay them upon the table,
or give them any other direction that might be
thought best calculated to silence the agitators,
and trunquallizo the public mind. AS men,
/ Der Of the Select Committee OF the other House.
of which Mr.. Pinckncy of South Carolina was
chairman, he had fully concuTed in the senti-
ments of the report presented by that gentle
man at the first session of the twenty-fourth
Congress; and further examination and rcfec-
tion had only served to confirm him in the opin-
ion he at that time entertained but mad and
lantastical as he regarded the schemes of tho
AbolitIonists, and deeply as he deplored the
consequences OF their course upon all sections
of the Union, he could give no vote that might
be construed into denial of the right of petit
tian, and thus enable them to change their po-
siton, and make up false issue before the
! country"