The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-18

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February 3, 1885, the resolution Of Mr. Pinckney was
adopted Tor raising select committee 10 which were
tered all papers relating 10 the subject OF slavery and
which was Instructed 10 report that Congress has
sliiuhona power 10 interfere in any way with The ns
tuition OF slavery ~ the States, and ought not 10 inter
iere IN any way with slavery in the District OF Colum
bla The resolution was divided and franklin Pierce
voted N the affirmative every part OF the instructions
February %, 1885, Mr. Adams presented petition for
the abolition OF slavery 10 the District, and moved It's
reference TO the select committee on the subject Mr..
Shepherd objected 10 IFS reception Mr. Davis moved 10
lay that preliminary question the table; and his mo-
ton pregaled-yeas 1870, NAYS S6-FTankn Pierce voting
yea, with the South John Quincy Adams and his friends
nay The effect OF the motion TO lay the question OF
reception on The liable, thereby virtually refusing TO en-
May IS, 1885, Mr.. Piuckney, from the select commit
lee on the subject made report concerning The DISPOSE
uon OF papers relating 10 the question OF slavery, con-
Guiding with the following resolutions:
"Resoiped, That Congress constitutional au-
hory 70 interfere in with the institution OF slavery
s1ocd That Congress ought not interfere in any
way with slavery IN the District Of Columbia.
That die agitation Of This subject should be iaay arrested
for the purpose OF restoring tranquility the public mind,
your committee respectfully recommend the adoption OF the
following additional resolution, viz
/" Rsotped, That all petitions, memorials, resolutions,
propos tons, papers, relating in any way, any
tent whatsoever 10 the subject OF slavery the abolition Of
slavery shall without being eher printed or referred be
upon the table, and that further action shall be had
thereonS
Various motions made, and points OF order raised,
u
discussion took place, few extreme men from the South
Directing 10 the resolutions because they did not assert
explicitly the absence OF constitutional power IN Con-
gess TO abolish slavery in the District The morning
hour expired before any question taken and the
subject did not again come up till the 25th when, after
long speech from southern member, the gag was ap-
piled in the shape OF the previous question, Mr. Adams
struggling in vain 10 be heard and the main question
ordered to be put-yeas 100, nays S9-Frankln Pierce
voting with the South Points Of order were raised by
the friends OF free discussion, but they were overrued
by the Chair, and, appeal, his decision
tanned by the usual vote-Fianklln Fierce voting in the
affirmative.
ond, by vote Of 1872 10 As the third, by vote Of 1T
to 68-Franklin Pierce in both cases voting yea, with
the South and It's allies, and Mr. Adams and his friends
nay. few extreme southern refused to vote, for
the I ason assig nei above,
This was the hrs, gag law on the subject Of petitions
adopted IN Congress Mr.. Pierce was member OF the
select committee that prepared and reported ii and he
gave his inuence and votes Tor II in all lis Stages until
1t adopted by The House; and in debate in the SEN
ate, December, 1887, he publicly ayowed that he had
concurred fully in the sentiments OF Mr. Pinckneys
port and further examination had confirmed him in his
opini T The report contained long and elaborate
gument against the abolition of slavery the District,
ton the grounds that il would be violation OF good
faith, would endanger the interests OF Maryland and
Virginia, would he blow aimed at the institution OF
slavery in the South , and also an argument against
emancipation, even BY the States as iIaught with the
most mschievous consequences In all this Mr. Pierce
declared his entire concurrence.
December 90 1896, Mr. Adams presented petition
from citizens OF Pennsy for the abolition OF slavery
and the slave trade in the District OF Columbia In reply
question by Mr. Pickens, the Speaker said that the
rule adopted the last session for the disposition OF all
such petitions expired with The session. motion
Immediately made 10 lay il upon the table, and il pre-
valled--yeas ll6, nays 36-Frankn Pierce among the
yeas, John Quincy Adams among the n0ystt
January Q, 1887, Mr. Adams pre- senteu similar petit
ton Mr. Glascock, OF Georgia. objected 10 lis reception.
Mr. Parks moved 10 lay the question OF reception on the
table, and this motion prevaed-yeas $780, nays 90. We
do not find the recorded but it is fair 10 presume
that Mr. Pierce voted in the affirmative, from the fact that
he had voted afbrmatvey on an identical motion made
by Mr.. Davis the preliminary question in relation TO
the reception OF petition presented by Mr. Adams, Feb
ruary }, 1896
The Speaker said that the effect Of this motion was to
arrest the action OF the House the petition, aud not 10
lay It upon the table In other words. the House refused
10 receive it'll
The same day Mr.. Adams presented another anti
slavery petition, and the question put directly on its
reception. The northern allies of the slave power
not prepared 10 deny IN this the right OF
petition, though they had been constantly violating in
fact and they voted with Mr. Adams and his friends TO
receive 1.-THE name of Franklin Pierce being recorded for
the first time on the same side with Mr. Adans's. The
petition having been received, II laid upon the
liable without debate consieraton-yeos 1885, nays 60
Franklin Pierce voting with the gta', John Quincy
Adams with the nays s.
January 49, 1897 several petitions for the abolition OF
slavery and the slave trade in the District presented
the question of reception raised in every case, and
laid upon the ablethe Speaker deciding that the effect
OF the proceeding was 10 suspend all action, and leave
the petition exactly where il was We have no record Of
the yeas and nays in these but Mr. Pierce doubt
less voted as he bad previously done.
January Is, 1897, the House, under the OF the
previous question, adopted, motion OF Mr. HAYES, OF
Kentucky the gag rule Of the last session. reported BY the
select committee Of which Mr.. Pierce was member,
and in the report OF which he entirely concurred II
adopted by similar vote TO that given for It at the last
session I'M
February o. 1897, Mr. Adams rose, and said he held in
his hand paper, which, before presented, he
desired 10 have the decision OF the Speaker. II was
petition from twenty-five persons declaring themselves 10
be slaves He wished 10 know whether The Speaker
considered such petition coming within the rules OF
the House.
The reader of The debates in Congress, when Mr..
Adams struggling against fearful odds for the main
ensnce OF the right Of petition, will Tecoect what then
took place. The House shaken with tempest.
Although MIR Adams bad not presented the petition re-
tanning il in his possession declining even to send IT 10
the Speaker 10 whether il presented, it would
within the rules the slaveholding members, blinded BY
their indignation gave way TO excuses OF passion, and
introduced resolution after another, with view 10
nhct punishment the venerable for act he had
not committed Several days spent in this lnsen-
attempt crush the defender of the right OF petition,
and it with extreme difficulty he obtained the floor
TO correct the gross misrepresentation OF his adyersaes
and vindcae his conduct
At last they agreed to urge the following resolution,
submitted by Mr.. Patton, Of Virginia.
Resoiped, That any member who shall hereafter pre-.
sent the House any petition from the slaves Of this
OF the House. the rights OF the southern States, and
friendly TO the Union
" That the Hon. John Quincy Adams having solemnly
dscaimed all design Of dong anything dsrespectiu the
ton purporng be from slaves and having avowed his
intention petition the House,