The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-17

ieipa,e this morning II has before rather
expectedly bat sill seems % me there nothing mon
strous in this memorial The bill TO which il refers
passed on the night OF the Sd, rather the morning
OF the 4th OF March. and this memorial appears to be
dated on the s' oi March cannot regard 7 as an ~;
any feeling but such these gentlemen entertain who
subscribe it, and il right that ali individuals IN the
community have 10 memoralize the Senate OF the Ual-
ted States, any other deii5elaiye body, II the terms
OF their memorial are respectful What the motives OF
these memoralists know not, but from the date
OF the memorial, and the number OF signers am IN.
duced 10 believe that they thought there WAS something
radically wrong in that BILL Laughter j and II they be-
eved The passage OF to be breach ot faith on the
part of the government, they had right 10 say so.
took the opportunity OF charging that ia this Senate.
There questions than the question OF non.in-
terveniion Involved in that bill; there was an iaraeton
oil faith TO the lndanspedges given to them under The
solemn forms and mockery OF treaties here. That was
one particular in which il was violation Of faith
And, sir is il not also volaion Of faith 10 disregard
the Missouri Conpromisean act OF such antiquity ana
utility to the country! That is matter OF discussion.
baye not arragned The action OF any gentleman since
the passage of this bill bal antsror TO II gave my opin
ions IN relation 10 the character Of the bill, not only
regarded the pledges given TO the Indians and ihe pghted
faith OF the nation. but The hagran violation that would
ensue from the disregard OF treaties Sir u may be spec
ulaon, but believe the repeal OF the Missouri Com.
promise was as lagran breach OF iah as TO violate
treaty stipualions with the Indians. But have not
charged senators with corrupt motives, nor have l
charged them with anything selfish.
| Sir, can no more lmpropIeiy IN ministers o the
Gospel in their vocation meo.orialZing Congress than
politicians or other citizens And sir do not believe
il is designed TO manufacture political capital LIDO not be-
ieve il their design 10 have ths entered upon the
records of the Senate for the purpose OF taking back
and disseminating il through the country
Sir, this memorial has come from the country told
you there would be agitation. IL was denied upon the
floor. l. not this agitation! Three thousand ministers
OF the living God-the vcegefents OF God upon earth
sign The memorial here presented Iell me, then, IS
there excitement in the country IL is what expec-
ed. You realizing the iulhIment OF what was pre-
dcted here and the country to bear the incon The
misfortune upon you, and when II will be removed no
one knows.
Sir, the coup dtta not successful II did not pass
here before the community awakened 10 i-not only
in New England, but in the South and West for have
received letters from those quarters expressing opposition
TO the measure, and regarding IL as breach OF faith
And ministers choose to express their opinions upon
subjects introduced into Congress, can see nothing
wrong in It will not lant the reputation OF senators
II will not dsplace them from their positions here 1t
will not impair their capabilities Tor the discharge OF the
high functions which the constitution devolyes upon
them. say, then, can see nothing wrong IN this
They have right TO express their sentiments They are
like other Being ministers OF the Gospel, they are
not disfanchised OF political rights and privileges II
their language respectful to the Senate, they have
right TO spread il upon the record OF the Senate They
have spoken out in anticipation Of the passage OF an OBJ
noxious bill II Is an evidence hai me great national
heart throbs-that its pulses beat God grant that 1t
may not long continue to be agitated--that may be
anquilized, and that may have the happiness OF
seeing the country restored to that condition IA which II
was before this measure introduced into this Senate
The nations position then truly enviabe II was
not agi,aied, but tranquil. The people were conened
w,
prosperity had been witnessed on earth Sir,
trust there will be no renewal OF agIlation but let me
gentlemen that the way TO make u is 10 make war
upon memoriasls. Let Them memorialze II they think
it necessary and if il is ndlscreet in the judgment OF in
tellgent gentlemen, let II be referred TO committee
let them make their report upon II, and let their report go
before the public, and the Intelligence OF the nation will
determine what right and what consideration ought TO
be given TO IL. am not ior prohibiting the expression OF
opinion and the oil the rights and privileges that
pertain to any class of citizens oil this couuy. Although
| would discourage agltaton and although there may be
notions ha, might be deemed herellcal IN this memo
rial vet, SIR the expressions contained III II are not OF
that offensive character that they might have been
rued be, mad the memorial been signed after the
age OF this measure by the Senate However 1t might be
considered inpugning the motives OF senators
upt and immoral after The OF the ACT such could
not be proper construction before the Senate had acted
There is much judgment and much deloefalon IN tins
body, but, at the time, not nfallIbe IN our
judgments We not placed IN eminent position
as 10 elevate us above all right OF the people look into
our actions and scrutlnze our conducts and II the peo
ple do not approve our acts they have right 10 express
their disapproval, and think 1t rs useless to make war
upon them that account Sir, trust that whatever
may be the fate OF the bill which has recently passed the
Senate the agitation has already reached its acme and
that from this time il will decline until the country is
again restored TO peace and happiness.
! Mr. MASON. Mr.. President, the night OF the citizens
OF the United States either sngy or collectively, TO pc
ttion Congress- either house OF Congress- upon any
subject interesting TO them, never denied, and Il never
should be denied. Petitions upon any subject OF public
interest should be received and treated with the respect
that is due toe citizens OF the country, and trust
shall ihe day WDeH lne Senae OF Unlted
States will treat with dlscourlesy petition upon any
subject proper for legislation pending before this body
coming iron citizens OF The United States.
i But understand that this petition from class
OF people who have put aside their character citizens
II from a class who style themselves N their
mortal ministers OF the Gospel, and IN that character,
and not citizens, they come before the Senate. have
not read the petition wrongly, believe. Ministers OF the
Gospel and not citizens, come here and denounce pros
pectvey the action OF the Senate, IN their language
great moral wrong and they have the emerity, IN the
presence OF the citizens OF the United States, to invoke
the vengeance of the Almighty, whom they profess 10
serve, against this moral wrong Sir, ministers OF the
Gospel unknown to this government and God for
known TO the government as ministers OF the Gospel.
The great effort OF the American people has been by every
form OF defensive measures 10 keep that class away from
the governmentto deny TO them amy TO the gov
class, interference in the proceedings
of the gov and the best illustration OF the
dom OF that policy OF government 10 be found in
the paper presented Ministers OF the Gospel are
unknown to the government Their mission upon earth
s unknown 10 the governments but history tells that
OF all others they the most encrosching body and
arrogan, a class What do they sayi Do they enter
citizens would into statement of the facts OF winch
they complain DO they rcci,e what win be the polt
cal objects OF the measure which they condemn No,
sir They inform that they here with their Pc
tion in The presence OF the Almighty, and invoke Him
invoke His vengeance upon the Senate of The United
States about to commit, in their judgment, great
moral wrong. Aa. H ....e
Now. sir am perfectly Indifferent, for one how many
citizens protest against this wblch,has recently
passed the Senate They have right protest against
Il with the respectful language which becomes gentlemen
IN addressing zach other and ii 1000 or 300 900 citi-
nF NJ, rh, a..