The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-08-25

be sure, | did not comprehend perfectly al
| that the petition contained-it prays that VI
should take measures for the abolition of tn
slave trade. This is desiring On unconstitu
| tional act, because the Constitution secures
| that trade to the States, independent Of Con
pressional restrictions for a term OF twenty-ont
wears IT, therefore, it prays for violation o.
constitutional rights, it ought to be rejected a,
an attempt upon the virtue and patriotism Of
the House.
Mr. Boudinot II has been said, that the
Quakers have no right to interfere in this bust
ness am surprised to hear this doctrine ad
vanced, after it has been 50 lately contended
and settled that the people have right to as
sembe and petition for redress of grievances
1t is not because the petition comes from the
society of Qakers that | am in favor of the
commitment, but because it comes from citi-
zens Of the United States who are equally con-
cerned in the welfare and happiness of their
country with others. There certainly is no
foundation for the apprehensions which seem
to prevail in gentlemen's minds. If the peti.
TONERS were so uniformed as TO suppose that
Congress could be guilty of violation of the
Constitution, yet trust we know our duty bet
ter than to be led astray by an application
L
not consider the merits Of the main question to
be before us; it will be time enough to give
our opinions upon that when the committee
have reported. If it is in our power, by rec
ommendation or any other way, to put a stop
to the slave trade in America, do not doubt
of its policy but how far the Constitution will
authorize us to attempt to depress it, will be a
question we'll worthy of our consideration.
MIR. Sherman observed, that the petitioners
from New York stated that they had applied
to the Legislature of that State to prohibit GER
tain practices which they conceived to be i'm
proper, and which tended to injure the we'll
being of the community; that the Legislature
had considered the application, but had applied
no remedy, because they supposed that power
was exclusively vested in the General Govern,
ment under the Constitution of the United
States; it would, therefore, be proper te COM
NIT that petition, in order to ascertain what
are the powers of the General Government in
the case
Mr.. Gerry thought gentlemen were out Of
order in entering upon the merits of the main
question at this time, when they were consid-
ering the expediency of committing the petit
ton. He should therefore, not follow them
further in that track than barely to observe
that it was the right of the citizens to apply
tor redress, in every case in which they cOnsid-
cred themselves aggrieved and it was the duty
Of Congress to afford redress, as far as in their
power. That their Southern brethren had been
betrayed into the slave trade by the first set
tiers, was to be lamented; they were not to be
reflected on, for not viewing this subject in a
different lght-the prejudice of education is
eradicated with difficulty; but he thought moth
ing would excuse the General Government for
not exerting itself to prevent, as far as they
constitutionally could, the evils resulting from
such enormities az were alluded to by the petit
TONERS; and the same considerations induced
him highly to commend the part the Society of
Friends had taken it was the cause of hui
mainly they had interested themselves in, and
he wished, with them, to see measures pursued
by every nation to wipe off the indelible stain
which the slave trade had brought upon all
who were concerned in it,
Mr.. Madison thought the question before
the committee was no otherwise important than
as gentlemen made it so by their serious oppo-
slton Had they permitted the commitment
of the memorial as matter of course, no notice
would have been taken of it out of doors it
could never have been blown up into decision
OF the African slave trade, nor alarm the own
ers with an apprehension that the General
Cow ,nment were about to abolish Slavery in
all the States. Such things are not contem-
plated by any gentleman but they excite
alarm by their extended objections to commit
ting the memorials. Gentlemen may vote for
the commitment OF the petition, without any
intention of supporting the prayer of it.
Mr.. White would not have seconded the
motion, if he had thought it would have
brought on lengthy debate. He conceived
that business Of this kind ought to be decided
without much discussion it had constantly
been the practice OF the House, and he did not
suppose there was any reason for a deviation.
MIR. Page said, if the memorial had been
presented by any individual, instead of the re.
| spectacle body from whom it emanated he
| should have voted in favor of a commitment
because it was the duty of the Legislature I,
attend to subjects brought before them by thei,
constituents. IT. upon inquiry, it was discover
ed to be improper to comply with the prayer O
the petitioners, he would say 80, and they
| would be satisfied
MIR. Stone thought the business ought to bt
left to take its usual course. BY the rules O
the House, it was expressly declared that pet
| tons memorials, and other papers, addressed
to the House, should not be debated or decided
on the day they were first read
Mr.. Baldwin felt at a loss to account why
| precipitation was used on this occasion, contra
| ry to the customary usage of the House. He
had not heard single reason advanced in "a
vor of it. To be sure, it was said the petition.
ers are respectable body of men he did not
deny it but certainly gentlemen did not sup
pose they were paying respect to them or to
the House, when they urged such hasty pro-
cedure. twas contrary to his idea of respect
and the idea the House had always expressed
when they had important subjects under con.
slderation and therefore he should be against
the motion He was afraid that there was
really little volunteering in this business, as
it had been termed by the gentleman from
Georgia
MIR. Huntington considered the petitioners az
much dsinterested as any persons in the Uni.
ted States he was persuaded they had on aver.
sion to Slavery, yet they were not nguar in
this; others had the same and he hoped. when
Congress took up the subject, they would 90 as
far as possible to prohibit the evil complained
Of But he thought that would be better done
by considering it in the light of revenue; when
the Committee of the Whole on questions OF
finance might properly take the subject into
consideration, without giving any ground for
alarm.
Mr. Tucker. | have no doubt on my mind
respecting what ought to be done on this occa.
sion. SO far from committing the memorial
we ought to dismiss it without further notice
What is the purport of the memorial 1t ID
plainly this-to reprobate particular kind OF
commerce, in moral point of view, and to re-
quest the interposition of Congress to effect ts
abrogation. But Congress has no authority
under the Constitution, to do more than lay a
duty OF ten dollars upon each person imported
and this is political consideration, not rising
from either religion or morality, and is the
only principle upon which we can proceed to
take 1t up. But what effect do these men sup
pose will arise from their exertions! Will a
duty of ten dollars diminish the importation !