Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-10-20
FACTS FROM THE RECORD.

tatives, on the subject of Abolition petitions Mr..
P1SokNEY. of South Carolina, was Chairman and
FRANKLIN PIERCE, of New Hampshire, mem
Der of that Committee. Mr.. Polk was speaker Of
the House, and appointed the Committee. Five
of the nine members of the Committee were from
the North. All the five, Democrats, because Mr..
Polk could not find in that whole House. one Nor
thern Wing who could be trusted on it.
On the 18th of May, the Committee reported in
accordance with their instructions, flor which Pierce
had voted,) and the following is an extract from
the report:
ave have said that the scheme of general eman-
cpation is impracticable. The slightest reflection
musF satisfy every candid man of the truth of this
assertion. But even, if the scheme were
practicable, what would be gained by efecting it
Suppose that Congress could emancipae all the slaves
In the Union, is such result desirable? This ques-
ton s addressed to the sober of the people Of
America. Would it be polite advantageous
Would 1t contribute to the wealth, grandeur,
it not produce consequences directly the Are
not the slaves unfit for freedom, VIGOROUSLY ignorant
servile and depraved! Are they capable of
understanding correctly the nature of government,
or exercising Judlclously single political right or
privilege? Nay, would they even be capable of rails
ing their own livelihood rearing their families in
dePendenty by their own ingenuity and industry!
What then would follow from their liberation but the
most deplorable state of society with which any civ
ilized country was ever cursed
Your Committee deem it their duty to say that, in
their opinion, the people of the South have been
unjustly censured In reference to slavery 1t is not
their purpose, however, to defend them. Their char
acter as men and citIzens, needs vindcaton from
US. Wherever 1t is known it speaks for itself;
would any wantony traduce it, but those assassns of
reputation, who also willing be the destroyers
of life. Exaggerated pictures have been drawn of
the hardships of the slave, and every effort made to
malign the South, and 20 enlist against it both the
religious and political feeling of the North. Your
committee cannot too strongly express their unan-
nous and unqualified dlsapProbation OF all such move
ments. The Constitution, under which We live, was
framed by our common ancestors to preserve the lib
erty and independence achieved by their united efforts
in the council and the field. In all contests 18th
foreign enemies the South has exhibited unwaver
ing attachment to the common cause. Where is the
spot of which Americans preuder than the plains
of Yorktown! when was Britain more humbled,
America more honored than by the victory of New
Orleans! All our history, from the revolution down
the high and uniform, and devoted patriotism
of the South. Her domestic Institutions are her own.
They were bronght into the Union with her, and Sc
cured by the compact which makes US one people
and he who would sow dissensions among members
of the same great political family, by assang the
institutions and impugnng the character of the citi-
zens of the South, should be regarded -.--ny
to the peace and prosperity of our common c1untry
This is only specimen of the long and very
able report of the Committee. Not only did Gen.
Pierce sign that report, but subsequently on 18th
December 1887, in his place in the Senate he said
'As member of the select committee of the 9TH !
er House of which Mr.. Pinckhey, OF South Carroll !
ma, was Chairman, he had fully concurred in tho
SENTIMENTS OF THE REPORT presented by that gen. |
temaa the first session of the Oath Congress and
further examination and reflection ad only served TO
confirm Aim in the opinion he at that time etertained'
Comment is unnecessary.
The Committee, at the conclusion of their report,
the adoption of the following reso-
luton:
''Resoued, That all petitions, memorials, resolu-
ions, propositions, or papers, relating in any way
10 any extent, whatsoever the subject of slavery
DR. the abolition of slavery, shall without being eth
printed REFERRED be laid upon the table, and that
no further action shall be had thereon.''
Franklin Pierce voted with every member from
North Carolina, age.
Amongst the nays we find every noted abolition
SITS in the House and the following distinguished
Wings, Thos. Corwn, the present Wing Secretary
IF the Treasury, Ed. Everett, Minister to England,
Francis Granger, Harrisons Iost Master General,
Washington Hunt, present Scott Wing Governor
If New York, Abbott Lawrence, present Wing
Minister to England, Vinto n,Scott Wing cand-
late for Governor Of Ohio.
The Resolution of the Commute was adopted
Jul, vi SOulSC, OAPICu ~" OS SLi~A Vi WIG SOoolOL
To show that it the ground occupied by the
Southern members, we have only to refer to certain
proceedings at later session. On the 21st of De-
ember, 1887, MIR. Adams having presented an alb
'tion petition from some slaves the Southern mem
'ers became exasperated and retired from the Hail.
declaring their fixed determination not to return
mtil some action had been taken by the House to
protect them from further insult. The Caucus of
ne Southern members through Mr.. Patton, of Vir-
,inia, presented to the House the following Reso-
ution:
I" ResOved, That all petitions, memorials, and pa
ers, touching the abolition of slavery, the buying,
cling, transferring slaves in any State, District or
Territory of the United States, be laid on the table,
Without being debated, printed, read referred and
hat further action whatever shall be had thereon
Identically the same with the Pinckney Resolu-
ion. 1t was adopted, yeas 1872, nays 74-every
southern member of both parties voting in the af-
Northern Wing in the negative.
My fourteen Northern Democrats in the negative
Compare with the above extracts from the Pinck-
ey Report what Gen. Scott says in his Atkinson
,etter, that he has from boyhood been deeply inn
ressed with views "in favor of gradual emanci-
alton of slaves"
" Hence, if had been member of the Virginia
legislature, in the winter Of 1912, when a bill
brought forward to carry out these views, should