The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-28


The PRESIDENT The Chair will allow the senator
to proceed. ii such be the pleasure OF the Senate
Mr. DAWSON Let him be heard.
Several SENATORS. Certainly; go on
Mr. SUMNER Mr.. President, | observed that this
memorial was commended by The character OF the
commended also by It's earnest and persuasive tone,
and by the prayer which Il presents In Offering
Il now sir ] desire simply 10 say that | shall deem
il my Duty on some proper occasion hereafter, TO
express myself al length the matter 10 which IL
relates. Thus far during this session have foborne
With the exception of an able speech from my col.
league, Mr. DAVIS, the discussion of this all-absorbng
question has been mainly left with senators from another
quarter OF the country, by whose mutual differences the
question has been complicated and between whom
have cared TO interfere But there is time for all
things. Justice also requires that both sides should be
heard and trust not 10 expect too much when, on
some other occason bespeak the clear and candid at
enon OF the Senate while undertake TO set forth,
fully and frankly and with entire respect for this body,
convictions deeply cherished in my own State, though
disfegarded here, to which | am bound by every
sentiment of the heart, by every fibre OF my be-
ing, by all my devotion TO country, and by all my love
to God and man. But upon these do not now enter
Suflce II Tor the present To say that when shall under
take that service believe thai shall utter nothing which
IN any just be called sectional unesss The con-
sttuon is settonai and unless the sentiments oil me
alhes were sectional Is my happiness 10 boeve and
my hope 10 be able to show that according TO The true
spirit OF the constitution and according TO the sentiments
OF the fathers, FREEDOM and not slavery, is NATIONAL
while SLAVERY and not freedom, is SECTIONAL In duty
10 the petitioners, and with The hope OF promoting their
prayer move the reference of this petition 10 The Com
mltlee on the Judiciary
the view OF entering into discussion OF this subject, bu
10 state That believe il has been settled practice in this
body, on the occasion OF petition OF that character being
presented 10 make motion to lay il upon the table.
think that has been adopted the rule in nearly all in
slances but so lar regards this very Christian society
OF people usually called Quakers, believe they are
most excellent people, and willing that their petition
should be received am under The impression that they
have been made an exception 10 this rule they are
law abiding people, and conscientious IN Their views
upon this question, and ought to treat them with
corresponding degree OF respect hope there will be no
objection TO It's reception.
The PRESIDENT. II has already been received.
table
Mr.. HALE VIII the honorable senator withdraw
that motion ior momentl
Mr MANGUM withdrew IT,
Mr. HALE. merely wished TO say that ] am sorry
agree with the honorable senator his statement
OF the fac, that objection has been taken TO the recep
tion OF petitions upon this subject
Mr.. MANGUM. If the senator will permit me- said
when they come from honest Friends.
Mr. HALE. did not understand it, then and the rule
IS that Friends are entitled 10 petition, and nobody else
Mr.. CLEMENS, lin his seat) That's it,
Mr.. DAWSON. Mr. President as the motion TO lay
the memorial on the table has been withdrawn, wish 10
say lew words IL II be The desire OF gentlemen 10 re-
open this discussion especially in The solemn manner
and with the heartfelt conviction and Christian feeling
that seemed 10 be overfowing from the senator from
Massachusetts, Mr.. SuMsERl-H he desires invesi
Let there be no Levasion-no escape from the present
crisisno putting oil what you intend TO do until after
The nomination takes place but cone out manly-come
out boldly and meet the question dislike this manner
oil conceang things-ihis throwing dust and cloud
over what you intend TO do None OF this deception
s, whether religious or poical but let there be man
lness-let there be hTmness and fraukness. Tor one
am prepared TO meet this questions and | am OF
those who never will seek any mode by which II shall
be eyaded. II gentlemen desire 10 throw febrands into
this country, let them do H. II they Christian
in their feelings and their hearts pure than
mine, want those feelings to be poured out. lrust
therefore, that II 1t be the desire OF the senator from
Massachusetts TO enter into discussion OF this question:
we Will give bim some opportunity; lei the petition be
referred, and let him fix upon some day for the discus
sion, and not seek 10 AVOID Il by saying snow do not
desire IT," Now is the accepted time, sir Let the ques
ton be met; let il be made a test question here land
will how the different sections OF this country stand
upon the question Let there be double edealing in
pocs OF IN religion; for hypocrisy is above all things 10
be deested.
trust, Mr.. President, that my friend, the honorable
senator from North Carolina Mr.. MAsoUal will let the
friends OF repeal of this fugitive slave law give this
petition their own direction am OF those who de.
sire that The North should have the exclusive right OF
declaring their sentiments upon this question. Let those
who wish TO rue the majority OF the southern portion OF
this country, almost the entire South, and give public
opinion political direction upon this queson-lei those
who intend TO lake the responsibility in what called
the non.slayeholding States declare the position upon
which they intend 10 stand and II they intend 10 rock
this country to Its foundations, il they intend 10 agaie
lei II be done now. repeat let be done n0o and let
not the TOUR years Wnlch are 10 come under any admin
sraton tempt them TO keep their views concealed for
Time. II they are TO persist IN this courte OF agitation,
LET the country know the measures and the who
10 represent this influence whom they intend 10 elevate
10 the presidential chair. repeat that this indirect
mode OF dealing, on the eve OF presidential election,
shows that there things which not to be thrown
before The couniry. These sanc,imonious gentlemen
10 say 10 the whole world, We are so pure, so
generous in feelings, that do not want TO violate
the constitutions and yet you are going contrary 10 the
constitution" l want TO have The question settled.
| lpu IN Lun xxh her nr mt For
mean IL can, to pursue that which shall bring
gentlemen up 10 test OF the question will do II II
any motion which submit will have the tendency
TO enable the question to be met. say now is the
cepted time-now is the day and now is the hour.
Mr. ADAMS. II my friend from Georgia will allow
me TO make suggestion 10 him, think the better way
this would be to move to lay upon the table, and
make that the test vote
Mr. DAWSON | do not desire that any gentleman
upon this floor shall be precluded from expressing his
opinion upon this subject On the contrary want them
to come up boldly and manly want this question
handled with soft poliisa gloves Tor party pur
poses | want manliness-l want hrmness. III gentle
men desire sectional agitaon sir am now prepared Tor
IT, After our doing all that can do TO harmonize
these turbulent elements, seems there determination
in certain quarters still TO agate this question but they
pass over the present hour and not touch now,
with view to raise these issues hereafter for party pur-
poses. am against that policy
Mr.. BADGER Mr. President, am not exac:lyin the
same beicose humor with my honorable friend from
Georgia this morning. but, SIR, believing that we have
matters OF dollars and cents to attend to upon this
deficiency bill, and that after this furious onslaught upon
the subject OF the repeal OF the iugtyesav law the
Senate be prohtably engaged in the discharge
oil Their practical business, propose that we shall do