The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-03-14

OtateS would never have entered into
the Confederacy unless their property
had been guaranteed to them, for such is
the state Of agriculture in that country
that, without slaves, it must be a1an-
doned. He complained that gentleman
could hardly bring his servants to North
ern cities but there are persons trying
to scduce them to leave him. Mr.. Page,
Of Virginia, advocated the reference, re-
lying upon the virtue of Congress that
they would exercise no unconstitutional
authority, and, after long debate, the
memorials We're referred-ycas, forty
three; nays, eleven. The committee to
whom it was referred made report,
which was referred to the committee of
the whole House, which amended the
report of the select committee, and re-
solved, among other things
"That Congress have no authority to interfere
in the eHanc patton CT sayes, or in the treatment
Of those within any Of the States, i, remaining
l
! therein which humanity and true policy may re-
| Qui,e."
Another Quaker petition was presented
on the Goth of November, 1892, which
led to another debate displaying the
same seeds of the irrepressible con-
iiict." In January and November, 1907,
the same subject came up again with
similar debates. On the 21st of January.
1905, Mr.. Logan, Of Pennsylvania, pre-
sented similar memorial of the Quakcrs.
with the additional prayer that Congress
may adopt effectual measures to prevent
the introduction of slavery into the terri
tories of the United States. On the 18th
Of February, 1927, Mr.. Barney, of Mary
land, presented a memorial of certain
citizens Of Baltimore praying that all
children thereafter born of parents held
in slavery in the District of Columbia
shall be free at certain age. Mr.. Dor
sey, of Maryland, conceived the memorial
breathed the general spirit of emancipa
lion, and though its request began with
the District, its ulterior purpose went
much farther. On the 10Th of December.
1881, Mr.. J. Q. Adams presented fifteen
petitions, from numerous inhabitants of
Pennsylvania, for the abolition OF slavery
in the District and of the slave trade
therein. The petition was referred to
committee, which asked to be discharged
from its consideration. Several petitions
for the same object from citizens of Ohio
were presented to the Senate by Mr.. Nor
ris, Of that State, January 7, 1886. An
animated debate cnsued. Mr.. Calhoun
and Mr.. Buchanan opposed the reception
Of the petitions on the ground bat they
slandered one-half the Union, and be.
cause they aimed at violation of the
Constitution. Mr.. Buchanan said:
"If any one principle Of constitutional Law can.
at this day, be considered settled it is that Con-
gress had no night, power, the question Of
slavery III those States where 1t exists The pro-
perry OF the master IN slave existed full
before the Federal Constitution adopted. 1t
was SUBJ bect that then belonged as it still belongs
to the exclusive jurisdiction Of the Southern States
These States, by the adoption Of tho Constitutions
never yielded to the General Government anv right
to interfere with the question. It remains where it
| was previous to the establishment OF Confcde-
| racy."
| The debate was resumed on subse
quent days, the advocates Of reception
putting their case principally in "tho
sacred right of petition" The petition
was received-ayes, Sc; noes, 10-and
its request rejected-ayes, 81; nays, 6.
On the 25th Of May, 1885, the House
adopted--yeas, 1872; nays, "a resolu-
ton declaring "that Congress possesses
no constitutional authority to interfere in
any way with the institution of slavery
in any of the States of this confede7acy"
another 1872; nays, 45-that Con-
gress ought not to interfere with slavery
in the District; and another-yeas, III ;
nays, GS-directing all abolition petit
tons to be laid on. the table.
In1e37, Mr.. Slade, of Vermont, moved
the reference to a select committee Of
two, memorials praying the abolition OF
slavery in the District. Mr.. Slade made
a pertinacious effort to make the pre-
scntation of abolition petitions the ground
of agitation and action against slavery in
the Southern States. These petitions now
began to pour in, in hundreds, and were
signed by hundreds of thousands of per
sons. A most stormy scene ensued, which
ended, finally, however, in the adoption
of resolution-135 yeas to 90 nays