Edgefield advertiser. (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, April 21, 1836, Image 4
- Acse.sigt) " *..
pe aJnics) *tUoe equest
sta~ ;Whf not rcc4'fe- iti rabe
4JAyht in to n,.ison quei4v%
li mvig r~eprps asi
theu eieobotehtw nd - it
J~r resentiisoto esItaish beyou the poss
ilIM&67 bh'k, that- Q o ae no toun
aig t ePtiton itsl an he uti
liin otls petition, bphe after dispo
\v o- tii .AK.i 6 -meantue, it is
tioktiu 'fl o 'on'the
.two
Co4 pot . itslf 'all ers
tho o ni is t6 its gr iyc.'.:in thip
;KOttd i os f no, of ite r qeston of re1ei1ng,
n~etdso iinport'at question of ' taisdie
evo is to take jurisictionu-.
-Wvilu I l'ed pled s to investigate an
A itonoppe er, an 'td givo the pttisai
3 ani become ies
poerW+ fo W p gi; ,aind who
aotes for fe of this iCtltin o0n te
-ronnd o va ist rcception is plak
e-ands mi the Sut4-gives an
-implied pedge to take the subject under
consideration, and ordues the petitiol to i
plae'd amnon; thle public reords for safe
keepinhg.
* f ut to pro tceed, ini reply I. 'he objections
, ofnour oponents. it is n '&st urged tat
precedent or' fgaint the side we support.
I meet is objection ith a direct deial.
Fromt the beginning of the Goermnent to
is nt ai inre preedent that justifies the
receiving o tese ptitions, on the ground
on hich1 uiiiui the ictioec is urged. The
real state of the case is, that we ar iot
thle first timle ha~s thei principlie beent aisstuni
eI, tIlt ie, havC no diucretion, buit 1-,11
ta Ike juisdicitoi over them, howtever Ib
surd, trivoluns, miichII ie v ois, or foreign from
ihe purptos foir which the Gverntifent wtas
re eceiv' iee these petitions, and ou
wvill create ai precedenlt whlich will heeafter
estaiswhih thir monstron prinipule. As yet
there are none. t e ease relied ne bye the
$ahntor from Trennessee ('Mr. Girund14) is
1in 11n respcet anlogii. No duestiotn i
that cse, was mtine on he reception f the
Ctition. Te thei petition l i ithoit
taking a vote, as is daily dene, where )te
alttenitioln of the Senalte is not partienrr
called to the subjct. 'Thie gnstion t
which the diasenssion took place was on the
reference, 11n1d noit onIl th, reception, as in
tits case Thut wiLti is ieisive against the
prceehnaot, and ihaih I regret the Sena
tor (M~1r. Grundy) did4 not1 Stalte, so) Ihat it
mlighlt alccomapany his rema~irk-, is the, fact
tat the p vtitionn was is for aoi hing sla
very. hthe -sbject was the African stle
trade ; and the pett k d)simlply prsyed thae
Coredm woud wichuIn whete they ih
nIot a3dopt1Sj~I som e sure of initerdiction,
prior to (Mr. , when byd sl the Constittion.
,ih aqnlia 1 i a ICw i.e'1 10 o IuIre- -ie
trde. T .aek the Secretary to read the
praye of.11l the petition:
" Ut we find it inihspensaly inenmiet
. on ul, a a reigtIls oty. assutredly eieiv
iog that bot h b the true tempora tlteress of
nattionls, and eternal wrell-being of indiid
.nnd walking nbly bhefore ol, tile cat
tar, preserver, andi benefacltor Elf men~l, thus
1t IttempI t te excite your attention to the
ha'ein uject, [slave trade;] earniestly
desirg that the ininite Father If spirits
mily so e:rich) our inds wvith his love and111
trith, an; so inflenclle vonr ltnuerstanding
b~y thmat pure wisdlom whlicha is full (If mierev
and1( good~ fruits, as that a sincere and1( an:
imlpalrtiaIl inqiuiry ml1 a ake place, whether
it be not1 an1 essenitial part olf tile dutly ofI
yonr exalted stationl to exert lnprigilt en01lea
vors, tol the full extenlt ofI your powerh(, to
remlovol every obsatructioni to p)ubicw right
conl niess, whl i tihe influence or artifice of
pa rtienb;re personls, go verned~ by thle narrow,
mlistakena views oft self-initerest, has oca
siontd ; and whether, notwithstaniding stneh
seemlintg impedhimenCts, ja it be nt reallhy within
your1 poei.r to~ exercisi jutsie~e and14 merc~y,
which, if adihered to, we cannolEt dLOnhit ab!
(Iliitin mullst prodneec tile abloltioni of the
Now, I a.sk thle Setol3tr where is the anal31
oigy betwCeen this and14 tile p)resent peltitionI,
the re-ep~tionl of which lie so strennlotnsiy
nteges ! lie is a latwyer of long experienee
and1t oftat tingished repultationI ; and11 Ilput
tihe quelLstti to himl, onl wat piossible pr'in
cpecani a case, so pefectly dii~ilar, juts
tily the' V(tC3 hel iends tol give 0n thel pres
ent occalsionl ! OnI what1 possible groundll
cani tile voEte of Mr. Madi~son to refer thlat
- ptitionl, onl wh ichl he ha~s so mneh relied,
jusitify hin) inl rCecivinig thisl !JDoes j33, 11)'
jla'reeivem haIls own~ example, tihe danilger of
tiormmiig precedents ! If hie may)3 call to his
nid th; an111hearity Eof 1 . AJoilison. il i ca e.
so~ isimiilair, to justify the0 reception, fI thi
p~etitiona, and11 thereby 1ex4tn the1 jurisie...
.tion of Gongress overthe question of emant~
esipatin, to wha3t pulrposll hereatfter mnay
not then exampli~e oif his cot-se on the pres
ent occasiotr hE' perverted !
It iS not aly de.sign to censutrn Mr. Madi
SOnl's cotirse, hbut I cannlIot refraini from ex
* i~pre-,ing my ,regret that his name is not
101un1d associaltlel, onl that oEcaioni), with1
thle sagacions 3and 13 f ~irreresentatives fromt
the idonth--Smithi, Thuceker, and14 liarbler, of
I:South Car oflna,.I ames Jacklsonu of Ge'argia
undim manytl others, whoIE at thlat early peraiod,
fo~resaw the3 Elhaoger and1( mlet it, as it ought
- ~ever to lie 1met, by3'those wholE regardl tile
peaice and see'nri ty of thlE slaivel~hing
States. II.11lihe a(ddedh tihe weight oif his
tlen'ftS ami atuthiority to theirs, a) mnore
hiealth~y tonle of senltimnent than)1 that which
* 110~~nw nnfortuinately exi4ts, wiouald thais daiy
have b)een) thet consequtence.
Another case his beeni cited, to julstify
tile Vote for rcepjtionl. I refer to the peti
tioni from tile Quiakers, in 181)5, which the
8enator fromi Pennsyivania (M r. Ilunehanlan);
reie1o to sulstaini him1 ill rec'eivinlg thei
presenlt- petition. What I haIve saidi ini re..
piy to the preceenlt citedi ihv the Senlato
fren Te'nznesee, applies egn~mIly toa thi-.
Like tha-t then petition prtaed lejgaheaion,
ot anabolition (of shavery, bit thelfrric-an
av-r dover which Sinbjct Coil fress
.4 *
e arls wouhave: full unris-I
beoitution, and iightwell
r alqtbi*r tro eqiled to-it inndvante.I
litt though Nheir obijects werei.1the samel
' ii which o petitions .were
nu0 was Very'dis-intilar. Insteaid of ben
4iritu tomo re oivedea~ wtsileutly, liko tu
.forrner,b Petition vas inet at i thresl
old. - Tiiq uestion of receiving -was mad0,
t ot 'ite -present oension, nud its rejdtfion
sust ied b a strongJ.jouthern vote as the
jburmals. I 1 show. 'The -Secretary -will
read tie journal :
A'Mr. Logm egesented a petition signed
finInas MorrW elerk, on behalf of -the
ieting of the represontative' of the peo
e 'clled Quakers, in Pennsylvan'ia,'New
3ersey, &c. stating that the ppltio r,s,
froin a sense of religious duty 1d agai
4coe,.forwarl to plead the ea se of their
-ypressed and degrt(ded felioi menei (f the
Afrian race. On the questio ' *Shill till
petition he received 1' it paO'ed ont
&mative-yeas 19, nays 9." /
Among those to receive the petition there
were hut 4 from the slave-hoting 'tntes,
ani thise -I single petition pray ig for
legisle Ln on a sihject, over which Con
grss.A, so slort a tin would I ' full
.untho y.. Whit "n x, nple tous e
prse' e on!Catiany a ~ otdht,
ron tO go,-if the So hern S oigon,
ion ll hPen. Oced if! es
*ii tht, him t been th . as
it . ars,T m~tee tha cut of etioti
n hice is now poured " 'ress, not
frompenceabtile Q uakc ut fermcitln in
eendi;,riries,. ot to -uppre7ss tIhe Af,'.t' am,
slave- trade, but it) abolish s:vcry. ty
wolid, with united voice, have rejected th'e
petition with scorn and indignaiion !
Ca any one nh11o knew hii 043ublt that
one of the Penators from the .outh, (the
gall:eit Sumter) who on that (Occasionmied
for receivilig the petitioni. would have beene
amon-.: t'e fir.t to vindicate the interest.;
ofl thonce wilolm he represeanted, had tlh
'lne't ion tI tat day been hal t it is on the
preceti occasion ? We are nivxt told that,
instead of loEling. to the ('onstitultione, imn
order to n-eertaiin Iwhat tre iheits to the
right of peti ion, we musal't push that in-t ru
me~nt aside.aud go hack tot tie ~M agna Cheart a
and ihe deca ration of rights for its ce migin
and limitae tio. We live in straege times.
It s'-ens there are Christiniss no' miore
orthodox 1han the Bhie. and tpliticians
whose stai'lanrd is iiigheer thane lte liConsti
tieion lint I oh;ect not to tracig the ri. lit
to thoe ancliet and velerated sonrees I
hold ini hight estimation tle itusions. or
our n:ce's. ntev grew ep a:e v
throigzh m111aey rentrmits, ce hv i .
anue euntireing elTorts of :1.1 iitel!iglnt and
brave People struiggiling fo. celnt Ieee'h m:'gaii-I
the power of the ('rowin. ''o I hei we R1e
ind-hted fo'r lnearly ill that ha'is heit g:inmed
for liberty in moth-r titmes, exepting What
we leave addud. Bit matty I now ask how'
it has happened that ouer oppioniutent., in going
back to te se sacred instrmient" have not
thoueghit propler to cite their p or to
0hbdw in what manner our ref'sal to receive
petitions cni violite the "right of petition
a's secei.d by thei ? I feel uinder no obli
gation to supply ti. omission--to cite n het
they have oeimeitei Io cite, or to prove froe
the inst runenti them-'lves, that to lie neo
violation of Ihene w hich they heve iot pr') -
to he a violbtion. It is teun"cessev.
1h1e praee of fPailitiant is stifieiri! for
ny puirpose. It proves conitusive le ta it
iS neo viontioi or tho rlt. as seered boy
those instrument 1, to refii. r, reer .- e.t
tion'. 'Tb est'lishwat 10 eis practice is.
I a--t the Secretary to e d .rom Ifatsel,
a work or the heighe.-t authorily, the sev eral
paragraphs n hiiehe are mnterked n ithe a pencil.
comitnenceing at page 7001, under the hecad of
I'etitioens oni Mtatter of supply.
()n tihe 9th of April, litf-, a petition
wsas tendered to the li onse, rclating to the
hill! for graenting to their Majesties severai
duties upon the tonlage of ships tand thie
Ipuestion beinig puet, that the pet itioii be re
ceived, it passed in the ecgative.
"Oni the 28th of .April. 1(i598, :e petihiion
was ofi'ered to the Ilous~e againest the hill
for laiying a dty upon inland pit coaal; emd
the queestioni beieng punt, thatt the pietition be
received, it passed im the neegasive. Se'e,
also, the 20the anmd 30lth of June, Iti98, p~eti
tioans relating to the dutties upon Scotch lin
ens~ and utponi whale fins imponred-Vid.
"(On the 5th of January 170)3, a petitioni
of the meaisters of Nottingheami being ofm-r
edh againest thte hill for conetiueinag thle duities
on miair, aend the qutestione being ptut, tht
the apyrition1 he brought ny, it palssed in tie
SOni the e 1st of Decemealr. 1706, Resol
en/d, Tlhat tis I luse will rini noe peti
t ion foer aney sumt of mtoneyc rela titng to pbi
Cr'own ii'pon the i i the of .taune, I i 18, ii
is declaredl to hbe a staendineg order of thle
I otuse.
"On the 25th of March, 1807, Jlesohvy,,
Tht the I lomese will tnt piroceed on aniy
peetition, meolie,nl, or bill for e-am ieng an
mlontey, or for reiea.ing or' 'omipoundieg
anly meoneey (iwineg to the Crdwnt, bitt in a
comuuiettee: of the whsole Il ouse: atnd thi5 is
detred to be a stndingode.Sealo
i. '29:he Nov. 1710. war. eal,
'ihiat the liouse' will receivo no petition2
for comepottnding debts to the (Crown,
uploni any brnchi of the Revetnue, witheot
a certilieuca frome the proeer (Oitier, au
need, st:eting the debt, waet proeseenitionls
ha;ve bu~ee adle for the recovery thereeof,anid
wheat the petitioner andi~ his scentrify are able
to1 pa.c.
"(On the 25th oef Mitarch, 1715, this is
declared to lbe a standc~ing order. See the
2d1 of'I Aar'ch 17p85, and the it h of' .January,
1752, the proceedinegs upon01 petitionsu of this
sort.
" One the 8th of AMarch, 17:82, a petition
beinig off'ered against a hill depenedineg fem'
securinig the trade of' the stegar cohoenies, it
wats r'efised to lbe burotght utp. A lmotionl
was thene miade thata cone enittee he app~oint
ed toe search perecedents ini tebtioni to the re
ceiving ore enot receivinlg petitiones aegaein.t the
iunpjosmtg of dutties ttand the gnetstion bieing
purt it piassedh in the enevativye.'"
Nothintg cane he meore conchmesive. Not
only aere petitiones eejected, beet resolumtiones
acre patssedl refuesinlg to receive enctire clatsses
of' petitioes, andI thant too, one the subiieet of
imiposineg texes ta sublject abhove all othe rs,
ieint etion to wich we wouldl sutppiose thle
ri;.het oug'ht to lbe teida meost sac-red, aend this
wviithin ai few y'ears: after thte dlecharattioni of
righets. With these facets before ues, whatil'
ire we to think Qf the assertious of the I
A ob
lator' frbm Tcanes, a r. tu1df,)
ha-pronounced in lapie thsb ) cbct
3usI inpst. tinqualifiealnatuier, t:pt there
wvas nn6 <'hlberate buaod whici did ot1ot
rifthe-pring letheit it wasbouind to lrcstve
petiuir? ?hat tta'nurnbrf lhis !dug ex
jgeoente and cuttttiqj mhoula elttpto naiac
io assertipu so unfuuted, is op, eUnkt
ninfy Proofs of the-careles th as to
f'icta anl .arguineuts,.with -tw 'A ' hiUi
portati suliject has been exain'"antl tdis
cussed-on that side.,
Ifut it is nIot necessary to cross the Atlan
tic or to. go hack to -remote period to find
recedents fqr-the rejection of-petitions.
.i'lisoly, on a uem'orable decnsion, a
aft'er full delt ition, a shor~t titne si
rejected a petition ; nid anmong those WN
voted for the rejection will he foutid.the
anoucs (of coure 1 exclude my own) or
A he most able aind experienued-iieu f, the
Senate. I refer to a edse of resoulutious-in
tie nature of a reinolstrainec, froin theciti
zens of York, PenisylVaiia, approving the
-tictof the President in removing the&pos
ites. I ask the Secretary to i-cad thour
nats ou the -oceasionu :
" The Nice President :conianiica P
preanable and a series of resolutions 11i"Ot
el at a tIling of the citizens of 'ork
county, Peninmylvanmiin,. approving the t'of
the Excentive in removing the :Ilic
from the Bank of the Unitel itat''
opposed the reneival of thi-i:h of
said Bank : i hieh having been re4a Mr.
h'I:ay ohjected to the re-cepti<-ti. Amtd oan
the iejtio), shall they he received ! it wais
deteimiined inl the ne.0ative-ycis 20,
na13s :).
"On imotion of Mr. Prctoni, th vens
nay i bitve eving desindti1 bv onte-fi'tlifthf Ite
bentiators pre(eit, those i% ho voted in the
afirmative. ae,
" 'etr. lIenvtoi. Brown. Forvtr:h (;irn
dlv. I le'aite. I iil1,IKane. lin on \n,
A ine. of* f~vorL'in. Linlo. AtiEvran1, Abntnn
i 1.07% W hitte, W hirt . Ai'l in e ihr.
'" T e' whI , o a I l ih( 1: 41 ati, are,
Mesrs. JBidbb, lati I,, ( albio, Clay,
C'ntnm. IE win, Frelin hitsd K~et.
Leigh, Mloore, Nandnin. POirul(-\ttr,'Porn-r
P'ren-itiss, Pre .in, .b:!eins, Sii-,b Sidt i 1 ,
Sour hard. \ liii , T n'I i.lt ni\\I- .
I lem.o n ense it I- not mt]iv mitenitoi 'o
nlII 11i qe-stion) Ih1e- oit'is, te-v'of '.1 N i tn
f'r o i bli; floor. it woiil b~- rihiii vt of'
hthi 0enion . 141jlIE . d it)' no Ilr ih vo -6t h1t.i I Vl-'
twas i e n w 111ith 1 a llnviat'.tion ( its co.
re) Ine -s , O . it will donilre h in (I -fi t-teI-lt,
Ins1a, Oln wVhri ve l a r I e r i . 1n fb-thuid.
"ir 1 01 ii'r i, t0 Show -:i 11w- 'triP ie- fhr
ie i Ine ri .-o o ti'!, :. .(hif- pe' , sitoii
( Stn-a'niaed by p. -ereen it-, hu n 'else-.
v lr.n it mi at' cl rodlere.
III r bllo ri , ac. I have, i,,- e ,a ei If)
Ine, tIo Nla'- Chara, m l 111v "lth liole tie
of* Righti;, 1;.r ifhe ori -in an.d ibirinits of
t e ri -e' to pet'i ' ion, I :mi noit dise .e , , ... ib
11hr-i ), to - nside III,- (the Cstilatio an' i tIl
to the posiionl ftaiy nsnautI ane, etatit riit
of periil existed heli fIr'ii t Colirlitlill,
ad intat at-is not larive h iiV til t:i t while
i looe'e- vond, im1 t 1itIunIie forl he ri"e ht,
I hol 1h4 Conisritationl. TIn a q, l1iIon ri 11,
a'- nd~ms j ir'rf i l'rr e t)f~ -tf
Ii aa e--,teni nittj nnr,~ to be!t ithi' i m e iean-'
!-riy. Th firsit i:ia n- d articie O* di
4hal( :s oi lawtl to pr-ver 'i.#, -'opte
piearenhiy n--enthlin2 ;fnt( pe-Qta-ving for
t redress, o*r i rievniiei wi a telt r e i .
ie ro presrj l f t(e liir i rb'w hi wiae ela
9-iUbe m31A - -,,--,-V It is 1601 nrI-N.-mid
that to ri-e.;r to ree'il e p re i ins, je t e t
.lpte o ,ithitin f i'rne r l of i e C; .n.itaitio
tr ciiot who lere nort nis e d w'iIh sthaO-,tel
triunina asg it ren'it'ne ia thate- hato rhe
frltaiiliniilrtl(, i and who prpo md thii iiirv pre
cu relcd tr peribrn arhet(i tit:i rm b.ri,
iito e rog t injtwrtiie to 1. - e e ve h
Grundy) hitat-'-,ta vente tart neer: fe ai, re
the trejictio oea e itileorns,~' b ef n ia te abli
tio to ''tlt r er. i w a c iee 1.1 chrih
i~t' w a eemetle~e un itsuv when bieLi oeh
~ig preire'e 'at~ in, rirne, '- :re'lii teas inc
a' il'ini-rre th'mii atinlq omiataha.ing teri'd
lint tS h l p e it s ioni be' ls'.ireel ed ita wat
noat interulds to'compreeind' thir reep to
ierayl'icn the-igh'of petitinltome m )~ter
tat con trverty, that w~tt ere lnt i re
ei)(a- i tieti uetitins andirh eifi~tet we' -bni
rejceasbimm- wt le w-nhl rot, in le sli Iesa
th-ge 1e, infthy 'hc e ridh of' prilionc' .'1 i
inownm to look qeto t hii ri'ghi'ts f hi<e tody,
whe it is neli w-t- e that isle- mltliv re-t
il-ltrhde -p~iiiitily ih of'h ro thea eilssma
thet feior the S't at l f eli a n-nti e.--f' :,i tere
too ts rimghtv o dets'ir ihir (nd wtmiisihe' i
h'ailli niietu!<d cornnntce,.st ata tn.t' nsre
stotmtr le(ril l i s ' ( the iprseniitiioni r''' ts pi tion ;
ihat'thl 'mpet'l'it isi. Ut the ie th r imsaodv:m
Ihaftci t Sene 'eoi prbeed ot o'thner. hi
nes wiillhut m ag sseie<hpcn of ie(t,;
asdta the tttth le-siith rule, thenrs ntion
fterrei ettar imda'qust tioni te- reie
thei ptiton. TI'o ex n the ri h saf' pec'iti
citin to hla, ae tue s ' (onis rciinga, misi ito ex'
able cns ti tutioa ri h t f th li e nte, ini i
ltatifo theeitl tet ins ht'hs't caeeo the I raho
to, if' bodyr'hi ii. I av e s'o t- xprs'ij esed istl
rex.tuni tiended ai r tiit dce t at et aret
bomd 'un es't(r iCtitl niin4 tcive shn,
line Coriitn mclaksi ialI iird Yc eo reie
Iint to urhe. oi uther ueit' w~lon helmn
iuesiion for receptioiq. Let us now turn
our 6yes fihr a mitiomt-ast to the naitire of the
right, whicht ftir, we age 1abtit to aiburidon,
with -fie view toixcermufi what mu'st be the
cIsqentemce it' we sirrender it.
Of the rights beloning to a delibetra
boly, I kniamiw oft ijone more univen'til, o
tsore indis'pensable to a proper perfo;Irminne
o it ' limetien, than the htklit to deteritile
at itsm (iserti what i' a a1i receive, over
wihat i shal 'ex'end its jurisdicion, oad to
-what it saill direct it% dellberation sind no
ion. It is,t hjirst niuil universml law-of all
such betljes, and exteuds not only to peiiiimols,
hit to report4. to bills, nnd retottions, vari
ed mnly in the two lt!ter if) tihe fbrm of lihel
iulemstion. It may be compared tothe ine"
lion inl' teuimal ecoloilly, ivith which a1l
livinga ereaturev are cndaowed, of Sel'ctilg,
throutaIi lit- insiict of' tastme, what to receive
or to rej-ect, oi wichI tI'he lpr(svaV!tioIl Of
lihir existeice ae s. Deprive heiii of'
tli- filme'iiftion. ald Ii' plIoisonpioIms, ITs Well as
the wiolsme, woudi he inldiitlerently receiv
ed into their systein. -o with dlfiilamrnlc
bodies ; deprive thIem of the e"Seitial and131'
primnry righl' to det'rinim at ii'ir pleasure
what to receive or reject, ad tiley woulid
l'ecomna f the pasive receitf'le, ilii!i-rnt ly,
of al that i' frivolouiim, absurd. uncosllitu1
timanal, immorli, and iliplious, .w well is
what may properly denmmu lteir deliber
tion atiln Cion. l'>'t4ablisih t his nimonstriou-,
this impiius prisc'ilme, (a-4 ii woui prove
It hae iin prlactice.) T what miulist ('ma the
consguece1 To w stwouh-I we conniti
it'mlve, ? It a lnetiiitnliii sholddi lit jr'selt
ed1 prnying- ihe ihll.itionl of thle Const&inalionl,
(which we arm all bmmid by muir mlth f pro
te.) ne'rrin to Ihis abmaomi aflfdoctrine,
it must lht: received. So, if' it was prayed,
thie nholition fit he Deemloiv, or h'eIli(,
lihle itelf. I ?!i 1iriher. I thi' aboltim
socti'tiv"- shoihl Ie converteda into a bodi,'of
Athei.,i c. and ,hanhilel ask tle pn 4ag' mt a
iaw denvin! !li exisutice of alih' Alaiht!m; v
livini.! .abovet us, tl'e cremor aof atll, ne('5' -
ii. to thi blaspl:-mous docfriie, we sliiold
le homia to receive ilte petitioll, to flike if
ri i't n ofma it. I n-,k theis Scnitor;s 'roi
Tem nan' and Peuiylvnnin (31r. (Gruanly
and ir. icmann) wmild thev vole to re
r-'ive such n petion ! I wait limo mi aswer.
Thevy -woluhi imItantly rec'i't it vih 1ma1.thi
ini. W h N a It Ithenti blcmles of t lie :mli miteld,
inai maife md, and univer'al obligaiiiin tal I
r'eive petitiols. wlih Ihey !m) -rmilimutav
inmataimnel. and to whici ihey are prIieal
Ilo -*1erife'm te coistitttionll riglhts tito this
I shall now delacenl from those hipotie
ienI case, to) tha' parricular lpIientiol: h'trelbre
lhe Senam. Whal th leu mu- hime :lm mol
mapir '(-I' reeivilg hij. p'tihm, onm fihe
priiimiple that wa' are limimit) receive it id
all -imilar l-tiiis wheneer prese'nied ?
I have countiimled hili, misaio e ly ina all
itiw::ring-', and mdo na be'ita'e t p'ruannn
fla;! ita receive, wmoub ~l lab' to ihe ahsolitioi-,,ts,
all h tlhI e nml u ,annin am b1 fhr lim pres
(' hpa ail to ah:nloi all fltm otiworks
11pon1 wlich we of the Sthil II rely tar our de
fi-nee naninist I heir atlneks hiere.
No mne ems li-have ihni dhl inatim 'c, wil
bmave fllmm- thi, :1r1 mhe aahmr I o a'ise wimh
tlmmir Ie1ijtails. -mrtavin the siihresi lifhi
ham.1 Con if , wouhi pais a 1mw m this lime
Iia alalia siiavrry in thi District. ititrm
altl tas they are-, the'y nims see' ihat puilic
OPMina am thei North i mot vet prepared am lar
'o mdect'isi cm a at, u indl i erio4,y P% am -
telapa..am-1 nw waaaut b., tsitl1 lob iheir' came.
W hat teiti alma mhey holpuae % l hut but ihn
ComngrmS s:mhal ri!' juri'dierion of tle
!.Ildjeer 4)f nholishingc sla'very-shot throw
open to ft ' aIiholitioni ts time' I 'mo.f lati-'i
tini, uni ensale' thumi tma eablishm a perotLna
nif'ni pomsitimon within their wa :lI-, fraom whiebm'
henrrmn'im'r ia m'nirry aim f he.ir oplmm ;ns naninst
the- in'sitiama-ds- of the "shoea-hohililaa Slates.
it wem rae-aiwa tha p--mitioni. all thne.. am'anam
tagesm' will E? a'lli.mz!al temi toa thn tftla "t
aent I'r-,':avi a. iied~aiatiaon woniia thm
ni'iimm'er ma ar ith' --.jectf 'l"liverv, naat
onlyt ina thii'c .I)'trim'm bat ina then ~aa' u tes m'tem
.-mives. wheneermt thm tlalitioiiitS mighti
m'biomse tma ak ( n;r-s-- by seuinig tiiheir in
mimi' ns heir', loar iih' :ihomiitiman oft slavery- in
slim 'tate's. .Weam wvnmhI hem bomnntel toa ra (m'ive'
such pemt iionals, aind Ibyi~ re'm'eiving, wmould hbe
fiiirly~, pamldga-m mmo dliberte num l decidem on
thiem. lvig uceee in) thi's pomint, a
Theim cm'mt remt ofoperiationis woubt b t1ramnstr
redi troml Nasaui 11I h to m th l1inuis oaf Cnm
gress. 'Tm this ('frmnonai c'entre, tihe inle-n
flow, in thm f'mriamat' pm'i ionlis, toa be r'e~cve
mium Ipremmserv eal tmiong thi'eas pblic rm'co rmds.
Hemre's tesoldeerm' mat nhomlitimin wouhamli hm agi
thle assauml'a mon ham paropemrlty anal insr it utini
ma thelm pemlem mat th la's-lavem-hlaltinll .Stint-s
wo-mi'l bem adimsminsaedm,itn thn guiise of'spee'ch
mes, ovaer the whaolem Uanion.
Sutmh woniil lie thle ndraIn:511ems vieh-led'm to
wldi lhe our Isbi'. WhIart wouild bem vimihle
toa thmlu', womui lie taken: f'rmam ems. dur true
poasimin, that whIiebI i'. indi'spcmr~irhle' toa oumr
det mace he're, is t has Cmn re-s has mam le'irii
sim'le uia'diatiain aaoveraim thesuier't mat -lamerv',
meithmer hear' mar -lsm'wher'me. Theim receprIaiaam
mat thi-s pemritiaini suir'enderi's- thuis contiinaing~t
1aashvian ;i yilhl- 51. heamp'estion mat juraisdiction,.
mo imporaatnant Isa Slam emisesm oft hlatiri n, atid
sa iuajmuriaum. toa ni- I'm e inyels ui mmo sm in ,il'enc'
lea wtitnem'i- thn nanisirs mai saur ebiamrne'tmer andm
iietution', mar tmo eniaislme inil jails! cefas t
ini ti ir dlefece. Such'i n-' conte~t i's",mavimi
nimortail mrairanmcem. We'm mutsl in the' 'ss inbe
huambled', deg!raedm, brok~mae downt, andm worni
TIhe 'm'natoars frm thie 'mnl-av-hhimn
Smaims, whoim limast uncaihrtunnarmeIv have'm cm'mta
iaitemd tihetmelves min vorem liar remiiing mlhesef
inceniary pe'til ionls, tell us hamImt wvhceever
11am ttempali shalilam be imd toa iaolishi shava'
rya' theay will jmaiin wvith il tma repele if.
donubat noma lhe sinlceriiy mat usitar dleclariiato.
Weill hmave~ n cmannonii interest, anmd thaev~
e'n mamt bet'Iray mairms withur etrf aving, nt Ithn
sa ltim e miim', t heir own~'i. hut'I aiiiimunice
(ma thmi ihat themy ar'e inu' enlledm man toa mm'
deema thieir aledmlge. Th'/e athmp umisj' Nmaw
nokI~ing. The wol ~mrk is goaing cini ehnily aini
homur ly'. Theam w'ar is w~'a ,edm, unot manly Ian the
ami-sf dange~mrous iumier, butmin tileI'm ontly
iamani' if ennm he. wage'm. D)c thIacv expmct
atn tham alitiits wvili re'smar to iams, iad
co'ma cea ciiC-l~f 1frutsadm ea i lamerattmemi ur ie
lby foarmc' 1 is that whtat 'y imm'enn whIen
theamy sakaa mat the attmpta af(m abotals'h lsive
ry '1 It' sin, le't ime mli mir t'irinds maf them
Sour b~i haom dia'r f'roam us, thai thle wpr wh.ich'l
thn aboalitionmissm wntm algains't it is oft a ver'fy
dliti'r-rmit c'husrnc'ter, nwiml tialarmare' in-hiv e yn.
ft is ai~vm at'o re'liionas an-d piinii tamani..
('i=Im, tmisn lm-d mion the part oSi f the lmenadm'r.
withm niemhiidb ad fi.. lm-oe fn...:..... u.id
ii ".edal, tnt a a e .:., lat cur el.ar-) . ;
aeler. . The oIj imuaie -amald duI'Ime a
las in. our owvin .e. mil, aidl aiMh of* tie a
world'in gpneral i am 'blast our repatation,
whill thev overthiow .ok.r domiestic istiru- I
tions. '.lAiisAokie.nale in ideary
itltempn1 maltiti with suelt uaiple nm':enns t
and-mntiring indutairy ; and uaw is the limta p
'ir rdi %-vhlo aire-opoliasel to tilt-II to Iluee Ilh.,
attnek.' -low anii it be stuccessfuly inet.
This is 'tle -importnant qjuestiol. The1vre is
iut man %ivy ; we mu111.1st lmeet tihe enl'eniv n4)11
tie frontier, on leguil estion iof rcaeiv~laa;
we re i a lium nmiiai porlai pas"-it is
our Th'mermopyh ha The pomwe'f resiscanmce
by a uniyvarsal law of n:,ture, ia'9R) (thr ,eV
.erior. Break ihroughi flte sldl, pelnetrane
ali crust; Anh'erlitr4 *s no Tiesistance ivithin.
lin tha pre'nti contest, he qjuiesatIion nina 're
Feivinle on:jstittutes -Or romier. I a is Ith.
first, (fhe exterior qupestion, that covers amd
protects all theothers.- Let it he peetm ramed
by receivitg this peteimin, and not a point
f re'iatanice call be ioumi within, ams fir -as
thi-, (overnmi concernad4. 11' we cam
not anininmtiain ourtelves ther', we nlmo t on
anym% iterior pois-ition. - Of all ie <pmreSmionaSa
dhat can be raied,,ltiere s nat 1 mn O nmm which' t
We CMi ral!y mat ground aore miabile riar
mammarel ves. or make tinitemalme tor oum oippo
mcjmrae, maca mexceptil. i tie ultimie glretii
ofm aliaaminim thi Stas. F ' mor o r rilmt
to rject ii perilimn is a ruth na4 ieur
and unaime'!iamt as ma Ormes :sas no
right to pol hi -.laver\ -'ira ih. 'Szate-:.
Ski . fiemiap- mam alamg ur
st1and m11an1ifovabIlly 4n the qpie-fion nlow chr
ut-. Sml: ar'e a fthe adivanlimge'- that w..acov'efa 1th
Smumth womium 11sacriie(, and ti.e ablitii ts a
wmuil paiin. were we to smrrmeir that ima
port c.an positiota by reciving thtis pa'iom.
What mmtives have we 1ir ma,inl" sm grea
a samrifice ? 'What adv:ma: g-svam wive hopaea I
amo a::inm rhma wouldm juisat" mi s !
We are tol of* tle great advanatage of a
stronag maae.raity. I acekanowmlege it inm a
moi ea.m, and onl somd printciplt'.s. I
feeal in aith pre!eIt instance how tmmuh mir v
caulse %aiiL iae strenvalgthened by a strng :
aid deciAecd majority 1'4)r tie rej'etion of ;
the-e i'icelchary paetitions. I amy thinmm we a
could da lere could arremt the progress of I
the ahoitionists, it 1oul lie such a rIe-i
aimana. Bait as adlIv.1antaaaOus as would fie a a
stronl.mg ndrit u suinml primiples, it i.- ina f
the Sa'ine degree digaaeaCrous, Ila: acum tihe
oppositc'-whr it re.is 4.n1 iacm ampiarper coil
remis, amd th :;urrenader (A prin irlus,
vhitl u a-ul be tihe- "cse at present. ,-lici
;I amdority aut il his in;ilee he iur
mh::As. by concve-sions-4 to time abiii ts,
:'i a -urrouNI, oil oli part, that w iu lal I
deamolishm ail our (malt works, ,aive nu all our a
.troultc positions, anad open all the pases to
time free sunti-:sionl of ourma enemies. Ia is
omi) aPn -li., conditiaon that we can:a hope' too
obtam slit b1 t m :ity--a majority hIim I
iiu.t tie gan:heredl . 11a iethier frm i l sides,
and eat alm ian1:4 eviery .v variietv of opinionm.
To~m rally suich a naajority, the bea enator from n
PennamsI iv:anmia ha.ms t.iiln mon time adeime to
revvim e this p:tition. and iamaaediate:m re
jia- it. w ithom canideration (or relhtmion I
To amy amind te mwovemnt Iomk- like a
riach-a mere ere 4:r arifice tol juggle andmmi
df ecea V'e- I intenid :ill- disrespect to tlmae
;anm:mtar. I dkuba not is intentin ant
1106d. and heive his feenin are wit mus
I I mallst say that tIme cem'.. ha1':l inti
fnated is, im in am piien. -.. V% rst p .ih e
for the slIpvciehhit -:ai:- It tarrmndtmi-'s
kilto ta &#u.ta-4 "4~At ;4Waa .1tkia
turnm, tal n td be<tlme h-ast adv:, t1;4a('.
to t-. I.et t.' rmajrimy icor the cour e i,
inuit-:- t e., er sm 1t rong14, can tilt %miator.
hompec thaat it i almake anya icain a're a mimo
athe, amboalit ci-a ! Cain him e'vaen ihapa mof
abtci: ;:~a hmis ipositiona mat r,-jecing iteir
;ettionmca . w icehmet c.ons~iieramtain, amga~inmct
taern !I)a l ams mieni seae thact. in aissuimajm e
jurisditin i -y r'eea isingm~ ther. peataiion, hem
give's ani imampliead palaedr.e tam a'atysire., tam ine
hhearate, 'ad dicente mea iheamn ! lix ferience'r
w ilil teach'i im~ that: rwie ciust ei tiher refuise
tam r'easve, aor goi timnough~i. I enttirely tam -
acur wiithi thenat' ormamtat fraan VernaiorImt, ?a'r.
I'antmismi on th a int. Thr ias nmime ddhlea
groundma that is tealae, andma, ieast mat ni l, a hat
p~aropoasell to bce aoamcci lay tihe Seaataor
fromc Paennmsyvaiac, anda thocse whoiamtcnt wiuth
thim. Int them aucan tinmma, the( acoaini h.le pro'a
janses ia cali~cuaed to hli time peopae aof thea
slaavehold~cing State~- jamo a lmsao scurimity,
undmaer lime adelutsive hnpr~essiona wiah ia t is
calentciated' tam mnake, thalt theme isim rae uim
ve'rsat str'enigth her~e algainm.;t time aboitionia~s
thaan reatl adaes exist.
Ihut we mare athlithait the r'ighmt of petitiona
is ioarmca iaa time Nrtha, ead tihi aa to make
it mi aquestion, woubtde weakenm Oum' fr'iaendm
anad stmre'theniii time caiboli tionists. I have'4 nom
domttht aof thm kimi teelimigs mat amura brmethiraen
frm'ema lae Nrmmt ha, oun tis: tiamomor; Iu i early
same a at, wihime we hmav th eir' fee'inmgs imn
maura favora, tiheir ctaituenlmm'its, r'ighl amr wrtmiag,
ilii ihae their vaotes, howa e'verm we' minay ha'
aml'ec taed. lut I aisutre mmuri frmiendms thia we
wtatid mamt d alm nym) thing, wiiilingly, wiiebl
Vwouhdl w eak~en thmetm amt ht n:aina mt, at' we
couldia bem aisgt'me t hat,-hy~ yieing uito r thira
wi,hes' iheo riht acf rece'ivinag pettionas, they''
wouildalie amile to, arrmest, perm'mmaetly, athe
pro'agreass act tetaolitionmistls, we mcighat thmemn
hie isoimmaedam tam ieada ;ut naothaing sihort maf
the ct'ataiity' amf permanenm'mt secuiity cana inm
athmm min faat yimih ana inmeb.I f' tam amaimntain
mmli ightils mmis t e..em. tiae abioalitionmist,
the it sao. I ii aeail att nm paeiomaaiake the
leaminicrifiieofmpricie thm' any tempor
ry' :mmavaaataage, aid amucah lass at ther pare'scint.
It ther~me amatt h~e an issuec, ntow a is aut time.
We anever canmathe mammmre unaiteda omr bmetemr ire-'a
pmamrea fora time struoggl; caimi I, form onme,
waummiada mch r'athaem aa'at ltine danmger ainmw,
atan tam turna it over' toa thase who llnre tam
contmme aflterm us.
Hint puittinag these iaws aisidle, it iom's
seeam tam tma, tak!inag a geeral view maf time
saubjec't, thmat time courimse intimnaatt lay thae
cSenamtora fromm Penntasyvaiai is armmlically
wronmg, anad muait enda in disaappinitmen~mt.
Th'ie attmpmt tam uaite ali, imust, ais it usuamllyc
adoer, taer'mminate in diavisionm andmi distrcaaimai.
it wili adivie the Soulthm ama thec qiuestionm rat
receaiviniia, andam thme Nirtih oaa that of re'jee
tion, with ia aintal weaikeninig oaf bmothm.
alreaday sm'a aidientionis rat diavisairan aimmong
.'orth lernn ge'ntlm enaam n thmis lamor, even a ilm
this stage mat time quiestioan. A divisaioni a
mmaung icthe woubmim giver a great itmpullsec tam
th' rcaausem maf aboamlition. Whiamtever posmitioni
the pm'tir's mmaay tamkae, ima time eent of' sanehi
dliviionm, amma ama ahe therma woualdi lao conasidera
edl amorem mar less fuavmoarl tom aihe altjmitin
cani~e, wicharl camahim noam famit tam mrun at into
the pmolmim'cmt straaggle's rat tihe twou gra'mat jacm
tics maf time Noarth. Vt itth theserm vjiws I hldim
that the oamly noss~ible hmono or nrr,.ti.,, ...
t7
4to cep. the It w -,re;st pr.I: ic t1 ti n omte in
pain-t thfim, n% 1:h m' ould I.e ill essihle if
hey divid~e here. 'I he cotmse tilma.ijlited
y tha Anator fretcm Penns.y1, ;;ia w% ill ef
I.Ct a dlivisitln here, filnd, in.I*a of tuitin~g
lith Ni\rilt, aid tlher.by arl-t t pro
;rss , hi he it( the ite.,
vill emd in division:i:nd i.titiiba ail
n :.ivii theahy . me:1 a powerul impuiho
. t4:eir cause. I naust sa3y, 1 doino 1 losO
ny reiarLs in tis 43lconnixifll, Iltt t1.a,
niEia:dh fi-m the North, it !uc 1n1:4 to iae,
re not dly scntsile of the detepl invtere.st
hi lthe lmve in tii - qtestion, lot nly
11 a1fi'veliig the Uij(ol. 1t.ut :4it rehates in.
nedi:atcly and direetly it, their partu(tllar
cetin. As great as any .e sur ilntcrest-,
hevirs is not les-i. .11' the lido c-ominnes to)
'11 ol its rh.d av.e. of fiily anl aitit -
-ism, it n it] the emi pant1rale inl the
%ortlh all the intitutions that uphold their
rence nnd141 pro-perity, und ultimately ver
lithem all that is eCliuinent, noraily and in
I have low conlchtidol twhat initteuded
Ssity on the g:et.tion ilsoinediatelv bf1r1e6
he Sellate. If I have spokeln earnes('.,tIn'.%
t is bellenus I f('l the silJect to be on1e of
lie deeplest iment St. We are aitt to take
le first step ; that mIust Cntrol all onr sub
*crinent 1111venirtlls. If it shouhl he sneh,
IS i fIear it will, if we receive this petition,
uita establisi the principle that we nre
>ldiged to receive oli Atchb Otitious: if we-'',r
hail de termitiime to tike pe inoitett irisdie- -
;on ovte rthe sub.'eet of, abolitionl, whenievcr
nul iml whatever' Ianuer fihe llolitionsta 4
naty -wok, either here or in the States, I
enr ti:t the consequetice will be uhiamntte
y isasru.Sc course wokli dIe.to
1he' colidence of' thlie People of the slave
Itildling States inl tlii vieternllienit. 1%
Ove l3 cit'ish the I n'alit : we remenmber
%thl thle k indle.t fi-elngs 0u1r common411 origit),
611 ithde olrm n (.01111e1411 hieve('lents, and
ndly anticipatf the cOminIn glenties
id ghry that soeem to Tn ait nit: but origin,
eivieents, ani t ia iwtiona of comi
;reatiiess ate to u',' nothig. comparl to
hi.. question. It is to ts a vital <ptestiou.
t mi olves, hiot only our lillerlty, but, liat
t reater. (if to 1*r'e< sit ni aiy lilng enn Ieu)
xitencev itself. Thef relation n hie-h now
'ists het ween the tw o races ill tiht. slave -
Iillhting Stat's 1as existed fifr two ec ItU
es. It Ias grown with otir glowtI, alld
tren thent'iled with our' strength. It has en
red into 111 modiliel u mr inistjttiins,
.i% it and politiei. Nonc olher eTn bihe stb
titutedl. %% w.till not, ennniol perinlit it to
ve destiyel. I t we were huse enotilght to
lo so, we would be traitors ti) our section,
4)usevs our flinilies, and1 to p(osterity-y,
t is (mr aixi'us (sire !40 iiltet and pre
vre this t'viTion I by Ite j1oinlt aetiol of t1he
'oveiritmeit ;-itt the 'n1lederarted States
ii' the Ulioion ; 1,t4t ii. instead of' 44l-inmg the
loor; ir, inlstead of' delying. all jurisdiction
mid adl iner't-rence in h11is g V tionii, ti
Itlors of' Colgress are to Ie tiir'oit In upL1
id i 1i% n i- are Ito ie exiov4'd hlere, ill the
ieatI It tile 1 nion, to n eitnidless attek ti
.uMigh our characer, and our ins.titu
itill ii the other States are(, to stamd and
00k (.n n% ithoult attempting. to suppress
h -e atts 4 16. ri;.ilnTin g nithin their hor
ler it, t unly, ito;h i4 1t'; be ovur fixed
-n3e0(:, c's of'ii, , imemers fit
hi-, Conit-e h rat , ne v. ill i tn11 he , ,mtapiel.
ed to tur'n our ees4 (onin-e-.l .Cm
.4lms. wvil, Ushoulaila c4 .. . 4
iled, and e n; 44 property. ne must
kl4-n.1 ourisoekes; :1nd(, it- ,c ie p ell , -wa
i i St id alrm , it ii it I.ir 1rMeln i'4', tat
aiinevernlu3 Oton1 ~i:atlerTImual slitlndered. Few
haveti Iamde1 greatelsr sneri fices tol minain33
hem11, 331d anone' is molsre lnx'iiui to pe4rpe(tul
li:hto i 14 thel's! geneilr:33ii'n -et hm uy
,miihat hey iilil tegetoie h
whnich he weret rin'..--th lietyt andr
As it' Ouirselve'u!, 1 ti'el no nppre-hs n,,iion,
I.no lasto lt 1)'h l!e-t e'xtent tha'eiT~ mannilo
.1f the dange!~(r that su irroundItas uI. 1 31m ntai
rlk1,oe'd lot ailleesl imtalte i t. Pi y c'lis'agiat
ha! pilaiit it trnitly. Bur, ats C'-Tat as thea
innget~lr, 'we iT have nih ling to fi'ar i' true t4)
lpurslvet. Wehae31)y n great rasl'liild Iile
olatsti Trall and114 va('lule~ h'staples;35
:1n13 enpiitatl, iat lTi ime 114 thtreaitns so
much'I dlangrto3'I 15 cont ititial Governmtents.
Toli th4e31 niinys b'oe Idda thae wou, Tlld aBnt
beto's n V buTil one3alenn iv rt'aloitrimph or
Itmpell t oi defIlll l.al lii-,k carmLt4-'4er, lnti in- '
111?itutIis. A41 ereiry so4 stl5 llir ern m me
rilTt us3~i wob dr lope'Tu 113 the ('ill, tll! e grea
rlia'. iie for elie-i nte 1 hl l.ilslll n l rr14 itde,
It urageI and) pthts'riism Ii! and' thse wa~ i ''our
'ihr cot rne't*11i'iition ('rur-bl five tS~re, woUld
IV(insure Oeuity,'a 3iber' nnd tiIgrenon. i~tIl
ju1 ituht, hesT imprsItn IIT~l nlk nether symis
pathyorlopat ssion rihr' 14he ainvehotli'ing
'lrn'tes.'4i Wll en ltake enre'll of urelves. tIt
Ti' rtis notu e 'bt'eittnion31 whcr' it daner
lei htwibdmndiu nednad