The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, March 28, 1836, Image 2
* . r *" % v
%hich hud been received at the lime oi i
the adoption of the resolutions, shall bo
referred to the Scject Committee, raised
under them, and that therefore ell of a
like character, sabseqnently introduced,
could be allowed to take any other dtrec
lion; then the whole character, scope and
extent of them will be to limited or modi-/
fied as to countervail the full, specified
and .declared objects of them. If this be
true, then he has power to suspend, alter,
or change, any deliberate act of this
llottse, intended as a rule for its gorcrancc.
1 know *vcll the responsibility end
delicacy of the 8peakcrfs situation. 1
feel aod acknowledge hew importaut it is
to the orderly 'management and proper
deliberation of this bodjr. thai he should
"he sustained by all parties in hi-? general
efforts to preserve proper decorum. I
?y?nlJ do all iu my power, generally, to
su#uin the Speaker; but, iei UliS msuncc,
I feel a paramount duty in myself, and to
ay country, to urge upon this House a reversal
of his decision. I trust that it trill
be reverted; that the legitimate and salutary
results contemplated hr the suppor
tersof the resolutions may be racchcd. I
wish that this course had been instantly
pursued at the very first moment, when indications
were given that the long established
usages of Congress, iu disposing of
these memorials and petitions, the usages
of both branches hf Congress, from the
first commrnceoicot of (he Government,
waste be departed from. The practice
heretofore has. been, to lay all these classes
of papers on the table. This has been
the practice not only of tbis House, but of
the Senate also. There they were laid,'
?h*M thmv have remained, to - sleep that'
sleep of obltrioa which they so justly
rasnU On some occasions, sticb petitions j
were referred to the Committee on tlie
District of Colombia, from whose safe j
. keeping they nerer escaped to see the
light of day, or so accomplished that mag*
nitade of evil which they ware calculated
to produce through die ageney of wicked,
thoughtless citizens, who originated them,
or sent them here* It has been painful to
roaoy indeed to most of this Haese, that
We bare been carried away from that
practice of bath houses of Congress in the
disposition of anti-slavery memorials tnd
petitions, which, heretofore, has been
found *9 cafe and politic. Wo were crtt-i
ca reluctantly to pursue some mode by
which wo hoped to. arrest that tendency of
tiiap here, which wo deeply feared
might load t J incaleulated evils, and to
I fSanjfcrons result*. .VSf*,. hoped by th***
resolutions to slay debate, to prevent discossios*
to keep down irritating, heartbar
mag invectives, and to unite Congress
by a strong expression of its feelings, and
opinions, both a? regards, tbo States, as
well ait the District of Columbia; so as to
remove doubts, give renewed security, and.
unite na wstcia thskagdj of com.,
moo interest, and of united a&cuons; and
that wo might meet and unite upon a
broad and common ground ftom which
distracting and agitating questions might
bo evodded, all debateable grounds might
bo shunned, and where varying, end practically
unimportant abstract notions and
opinion# might bare no influence in preventing
oftHtd and practical revolts. Oar
aim has been to reach practical objects, to
JiMnirian. to keep down the ex
ri tears cm of one portion "of the Union
agaSaetih* other, to restore harmony, conSoeoce,
nod tbet feeling of security to life I
liberty, end property, without which government*
ennaot exist in this age of the
world, end without which they would, if
they, could exist, be a curse.
Sir. I hare been filled with anxiety and
cere al the m.ree which things arc taking
in this country, tfy bed is not refreshing
to net as it used to be. Uohippy visions
flat serots my mind; thorns aro planted
under my pillow; the air does not refresh
mc as in other dare; the sunbeams do not
bring those gladdening and animating sensations
to my frame, as was the case when
our southern country was happier and
wore united; when the gouih, the laod of
gesorons feeling and of noble sentiment,
the land of hospitality and of elegant and
polished fife, of warm, impassioned, and
eweephur eloquence, end of moral and intellectual
power, was oae end united.?
? 4 ?
lbe#* ire tne ortgni naiurn **j - j
ear aoUfhern Stater hare crer been characterised;
thcee pre Uie fine traits which
deep the lovely character of the South.
T.h? interesting country, in earlier and
happier' (**)'* were united and happy, rai
fall of hope?Tim**! in the grand prospec-!
Urea of the distant r?^t?rc; and an the ae j
rie# of event* umolderi lht? rising prosper-?
pf our State and common Country, all j
was joy pod hope and gladness. The,
times an chnngi^: *1???Iy operating eati-f
tea are producing discontents; and unlim-l
tied confidence; a thrilling *cfl?ib'??*V has j
been awakened, under cloudod anpre-'i
henaions. that attempts may be made to i
unsettle the existing order of things by an <
interference directly in the District of Columbia,
at no distant day, with the rights
of the slave owners, mod by making this a
mere first more fa progression to a more
extended and genet*! ?y*lccn of operation
in the slave-holding Stales at some still i
more distent day. Our object is to disabuse
the public, 16 substitute ?>r iioprop
or, correct statements, and to present just i
views of northern sentiment and deling in <
rrlation to our institutions, and to gj?e !
the oilier portron of uur common country '
an opportunity of pnuing down those wild
and erratic movements at the north, by <
wheh those who aim at pressing their memorials
and petitions upon Congress, that
hey may produce discnssioli, excite (eel- I
ings, and thus O force themselves and
their objects into the notice, and under the
consideration of a thinking, speaking, and
writing age, mar fall short of their aim.
Their succoss will best be secured, and
their ends best answered, if they ran but
so far press themselves and their objects
upon the notice of the country as to pin,
dace excitement, awaken resentment, or
elicit abuse. Under the silence of con*
tempt, or under the indignant rebukes of
(ho [overs of order and stable govern-!
meats, thev will dwindle down to their I
proper and safe dimensions. If let alone,
they will sink into that insignificance
which tlicy merit; they will sink under
thfi.se rebukes from the moral andinteltac*
tnal forces of our northern brethren which
scorn to await them. If tlicy progress,
the battle roust be, will be, fought at the
North. The good of society, the safely
and. happiness of every portion of this
country, will bring about this result: for
if these crusaders against the rights and
interests of the slave-holding States, err
? *! ? Mrtino aP thU
pcrramcu uy uuhumu
| country to move on upon ihctr erratic and
frantic course, they trill produce such
throes and convulsions not only in the
! south, but in the north, that the establishj
cd order of things will become unsettled;
| the reign of hv and of I.bcrty trill k endangered.
The Sooth, sir, ought never to discuss
it, lor discussion trill produce excitement;
one degree of excitement will beget another;
a warm and animated southern excitement
trill, nay, must, produce a corresponding
northern excitement; each trill
grow in character and in degree, until a
grand northern intereJt may aland opposed
to a grand aoutbern interest. The
North, then, becomes a a rayed against the
Saudi, and the South against the North.
I will not allow myself to inquire, under a
??:<moinr* iiVo this, what Will become o(
WtijUHV**' - ?
this oar beloved and happy country? Under
such circumstances, troly rriJl the
heart* of patriot* tremble for the ark of
our political safety. The ground assumed
in the resolution* U not only** broad and
common ground,- upon which a!) soar
safely anile, but i* one broad and ample
enough to sustain all the rights and interest*
of the South. Un Jcr tho compromises
of tbc Bute* which led, to the formation
of this Government and to the adoption
of the constitution of the United
States, wo believe, however other gentlemen
may differ from us, that Congress,
under it, has no power whatever to interfere
directly or indirectly Vith the slave
property of the citizens within the District
"dr CUHl'nSUt Hi* liuinil h|| |rt jQjfffeffe
with houses or land or any other description
of property. It eannot do this
otherwise U?Q in seen w?y, oou n?r ?um
high and occesarjr pnrpoacs u ha* been
clearly and definitely expressed in the
confutation iucif. Property cannot b?
uken by the Gorerumcnt from it* citizens
; wniHww ^ ?mi etjrtruatc compcnistion,
and then only Tor each important porpo*e*,
and for such absolute want*, aa the
aafely of the country may require. Under
these compromises, in reference to
the property of the sfav< holding Stales:
the constitution of the United States eras
adopted, under these understandings the
tiorernment was formed, upon the**, as
their proper basis, reata the constitution
and Gorermmhit. These, tlien, under legitimate
deductions of reason, are the
spirit and life of the constitution nud GorernmeoU
and onder their broad banner
we the people will protect and defemtaur
property and lists. should this aad altcrn
a tire erer be forced upon. us. When
Virginia and Maryland made a cession of
the ten miles square, within the Urn u of
tM* TUtn'tri ih?v ner#r fur a moment be
tiered, that llio original and inherent ri^ht
pf those Slate* would or could be (ran**
ferred to Congress, so ilia; it could inter*
fere with the righu of property of their
citizens, who tired upon the anil. Neither
could Maryland or Virginia do any ?uch
transference. Theconatitniion of neither
State gare any such power to ^cir re*pcctire
Legislature*. If nw such power resided
in the constitution^ then nay such attempt
to exercise it on the part of the Legislature*
would .hare been* a gross usurps*
tioQ of power, ncrcr yiel^en by the people.
Nothing but an act of the people in
ennrefttion cjuld hare yielded that power,
which certainly tras ncrcr granted under
those State constitutions. Then it is as
clear as light, that the Congress of the
United 8Late* never C2n intcrfrre. so as
to emancipate the slave* in (he District of
Columbia, until the people of Virginia oik'
Maryland, in conventions of the people of
those States, shall see proper to confer the
power. I believe that on unlortune issue
*ra* made up. when a fundamental principle
of our Government was connected
with the question of .slavery. What
v'Ottld, if this course should be pursued,
be tu<* result? By a forced and unnatural
action of this House, you would drire?
not rhe aboiUiouisu, for they under any cir-j
enmsu.^ces are and will be against us?buy
you drive <*D a m*st Important vote, those |
who differ with us 03 a mere abstract leu?l |
opinion, but who ore tfmong oyr very uc?!,
frtepd?; the ?bidji;f frtcmJ? of southern
right*, aotl who *ro ilr.il and untvaroring
supporter? of those eojrfpronnsr?, under
which the S.atc* united, to u>m the Government
of the United Sl-ite?. This denial
ol the right to petition gentlemen never
could hare yielded. They would have
been rebuked by public sentiment for
fielding one of the great principle* upon
which rest? fundamentally not only our
Gnrernmcat, but without which no free
government can exist. Besides. *lr, where
was the necessity of taking this ground f
It is one which is impracticable; one
#
which cannot be maintained by repubU-i
cane. It would, if persevered in, drfrej
from as those very friends who, to pro-i
Iceland defend the existing order of
things, to prescrviTlhe Government, pro-!
tect an I defend the Union of these, and.
the rights and interests of the southern, or
of any other portion of litis confederacy,
would, in the manly and patriotic language
of the present Governor of Massachasetu.
used some years ago, buckle on
their knapsacks, and, with arms in hand,
rally to the support of the laws and eonttituiion
of this country. Yes. sir, to the?
defence of those very compromises, under
which our fa'.hcr?4 with their families,
cleared dovn British power in this coun
try, and under which thev, together, built
up that form of GoFernmenl, v/hich is the
(trituration of tlie.ciriHxed word at this
da*\ - *
I believe that without arcsort to this mode, or
to Homo other like it, by which the broad field
of discussion opened on this siially important
subject should be closed, the heat created
hero, thrown off in every direction, like as
from a great central fire, would not, like
common radient heat, lose its intensity as it
departed farther and further, from its great
aouroc, bat would gain intensity and violence
as it progressed from the elements upon
which it w mid feed. There is,nothing in
ibis country which his connected with it so
many dangers to this Union as this very
question of slavery. The unhappy relatioos
which lately existed between this country and
France, and which, I thank God, are so
happily settled to tho honor of my country,
to thai of France, and of England, was, to
the lorcrs of order and security, a matter of
secondary importance; nay, a war with
France and with the combined world, and a
fortnrme and happy issue out of it, could not
be of half so tnomenfoas a consideration to
this coon try, as a proper and safe settlement
' of thu rcsing and bamming question
This settlement could not be accomplish'
cd, aod ncror will be accomplished by motions
to reject " i* limine" petitions or memorials.
Good results can nercr hp safety
produced by illegitimate and unwarrantable
means. If petitions or memorials are presented,
licentiously abusing the sacred aod
fundamental right of petition, on the receipt,
Cdhgtecs will instautly reject, or will pursue
such mode, as eiUtcr to treat litem with the
?"< ?? H'tll iak?* mrh mca>
llCUUi VI WUIV >a|n( VI ? ??? ? ?
sure*, giro such rebukes, or inflict eurli
punishments, as the propriety of the case
may require. The abuse of a principle must
be separated 'from the principle iisdf. Fun.
damcuul prioeiples ought not, can not be
impaired, or bo trencned upon, because
abuses grow out of practices upon them,
t* wKinmcga but too often spring from the
wickedness of mankind under the. purest
forms, which free Governments can be made
to atnome. This is Incident to aU human
institutions; but for this, the great foundation
upon which they are built, cannot, ought
not, to be disturbed. Those who administer
Tnrr oureniureut, t>r wt?*r nrgrmxe
under it, must bats such rirtuc and wisdom,
? will rJmr.k and control, so U to ffifC a
safe direction to whatever may come under
their legitimate notion. If this should be
otherwise, the Government itself will fall to
pieces.
In 1805 a memorial was offered in the
Senate of tho Uuited Slates, prayinjpfor the
emancipation of slaves in the States. On
the question to r<*ccite. the voir in the Senate
was 19 in faror of receiving, and 9
against it. Among tho 19 was the venerable
and distinguished name of General Sumter,
of South Carolina. It is impossible that tho
denial of the right of petition can be rasuiced
under a Republican Government.
This distinguished patriot, aoldier, and
statesman, the immediate and intimale friend
of Mr J<.Carson, in who-?; firmness, correctness
of opinion, and strong republican virtue,
Mr Jefiersoa is said to have had more |
I1V<II|U<-*WV IWHII M? mMJ IM?U < ? ;
that time, coaM oot, as a republic , with
all bin strong southern feeling, and his perftct
devotion to the true tnicrevt of the
South?coolJ not, as a supporter of the tru?
hrory pf the Government, do otherwise
than vote, that ibis principle of the Government
"should becommiieU."
lo I TOO, oo the presentment of'a monorial,
preying for tho abolition of slavery in
the Slates, debate arose, and began to take,
a warm and inflammatory character, and to<
assume such an aspect, as to make it proper,
at onoe to dispose of this irritating subject.
Mr. Madison, then a member of Congress,
mured to refer it to a select committee.?
This was done. The report was made: this
satufkd Congress and the country. Within
a few years, petitions or memorisls of a si?"-1
- -1 ?1 iko IVmnttlliMS
rmisr kiiio , ?viu ickuvu h? >>? v?iu>ui?<.v
ou the District of Columbia. A strong report
wis mad* by Mr.' Doddrigc of Virginia,
which was acceptable to Congress, and
which satisfied the country.
Sir. etcitrd gentlemen at the sooth, arc
surely not aware of tlie extent and chancier
o. the injury they arc doing to our interests,
by discussions on the memorials and j
petitions, which are sent here by unreflrc-j
ting or wicked abolitionisto. Is a nut bid,
po!,icy to bring either their newspapers, tlieir
books or their false pictures, into notoriety!
Is this not accomplishing one of tho objects,
which they most ardently desired?
Th" tendency of this coarse of action on
tho one side, and of the counteraction on
the other, in, | contend, to throw the elements
of civilized society into dangerous
j commotion. The truth of this deeply impressed
upon my convictions, and I feel that
omcthing ougla and nuist be dune, to orreal
the tendency which are rapidly developing
I'mmseji-cs.
How different was every thing in relation
to this subject during the last session of
Congrcaa, so what it has been, during the
present acs-tatr I was gratified then, ns a
southern man, and as au American citizen,
to observe t!io direction giren to such anii*
slavery memorials, as were presented As
they were offered then, they wre successively
laid on (he table, and were never again
called up. This was in conformity ?ri?h the
common usage, and with the few exceptions !
stated, has been the invariable practice of:
Congress, from the origin of this OoTcrn-;
ment, to this time. Not a word daring the
whole session was spoken, to the best of my
recollection, on abolition, either on the floor
of Congress, or elsewhere.
I deplore it as a deep misfortune, that (lie
common practice of the Congress of tlxc
United States has been abandoned; that the
course of somhsrn presses and southern po?
!? ?? lx?en abandoned: thai the order of
- '
the business, and tho time of this House,
haro been to a considerable extent, occupied
with the discussion of these miserably disturbing
petitions and memorials.
From my earliest recollections, from my
childhood up to this time, it lias crer been
lite settled and fixed policy of the southern
people, ncrcr to write, to speak, or to print
any thing on this nil absorbing question.?
Consult the old men of tbi< d.iy?I >ok orcr
yoar public lcg;slatirc journals?lock orcr
th** columns of the newspapers in the southern
States, ai.d you will find nothing to dijproTe
what 1 hivn hero wscrinl. Sir, I am
not mistaken; this has been the settled policy
of the South, and wherefore depart from
nT "
The shire property of the ahreholding
States has baen, and is so surrounded and
? ?J.J I? . nf nrA?pririM(n
|?Uail UCU U? ft ire > V*
right; by long lines of inheritance?; by the
approbation of cirilircd roori at (bit perioil;
end since its first institution, by the joint
purpart with the united capital of oortliern
and southern men of this kind of property;
by the sanctions of laws, compacts, and constitutions;
by the approval of a purely virtuous,
and enlightened clergy; and more than
all, by the arrangement under the plans
of D<rinc Providence, linltio (juration or
doubt could ever be cntertainod by us. Oar
policy has been, anf still ?s, never to dircuss,
never to entertain tJi<cuuions. And
if the countless, guards, which, we brlicre,
are sufficiently strong to protect and to se.
cure our rights, should fail ns, we should
then be compelled to employ all those means
of sclMcfeoce and protection, which the
Providence of God has placed amply within
our reach.
i What f have said, is not tire opinion of
* re uerday. It is one, which was publicly
expressed, and tr'iich wm, .1 .presume, publicly
recorded, in ls2G.
One objection urged against the resolution
under coastdcrmon, is, that it is improper to
re-affirm that Confess has no power to interfere
with slavery in the States. How can
a reiteration of a self-evident proposition
impair .ir Weaken its fnrec! Can the rrpetilion,
for tea*raillions of limes, that two and
two make four, impair this M-lfteriJcnt truthT
Or the rcitcratio i ot the truth. th.al the
grtrmr tnatr a part, weaken, one
jot or one tittle of the cvidrnco upon which
this truth re-ts. Or Itotr can the reiteration
of the fact that Congress has to right to interfere
with sin cry in tiro 8u?e*. add or
take fromj the certainty of this truth! I* can!
not. The mover of these resolutions believes,
i with many who have voiud for ami supported
i them, that Congress has ito competent |**r
ct 10 jajirirrc vim me viniencn 01 mmctj
:?n the District of C'ol jmbit 1 hire already
, decurcd ibst t<its is my own belief; but, sir,
a;l tlto fri uiis ol southern rights do not be!
iieve as we do, but entertain a different opm1
ion on an abstract legal question, with regard
to lite powers of C ngress, wr the
district of Columbia. Those gentlemen
who differ from ns on tbis point ire as staunch
and abiding, nay, as devoted friends-to our
institutions, as tbu purefc. and loftiest pa)
Iriol* to be found on earth. Was it politic
or cspcdicut,. under these circumstances, to
assume a ground on which, for practical results,
the advocates .and friends of southern
rights and southern security under the comEronttsesof
the constitution, were nnaroidaIj
to bo separated? Was it right to bri.g on
a forced and unnatural action ol Congress on !
the coastittitum.il question, when it was toi
result in an imoolitic diriston and scnaratton
I - ??
of our friends! Was h politic that a weak!
rote should go forth, making it appear to |
the world that the great majority of Congress |
were against the rights and intercuts of the i
South! Tha would hare gi<*en a faUc and <
unnatnral presentation of the true feeling of.
Congress to 'lie pecpic of the United States. J
It would have produced distrust, rreitcd un? I
kind feelings, and xrouid ultimately have had
an evil bearing Dti the safety and happiness
of this country.
! approve the rrsoldtions offered by my coi-;
league, (Mr. Pindknc),) most cordially I,
say to him, to this House, and to tt:y country,
that 1 bcltcte his motives are pure and honest,
and disinterested; and that his conduct |
on tins occasion is worthy of that namej
which he bears, and which, connected ns it
is with the historv of this conntrv. is dear.!
and over will bo so ic i'ue American people.
Sir, if tbooc resolutions fail to ctlectuatc
their legitimate ar.d laudable objects.it will
bo l)CC4USc the opportunity afforded lor quie-j
ting the countryand lor obtaining for nil!
useful results a strong and decided declara-j
lion from Congress, tdi-dl be unwisely drfea-'
ted. It trill be defeated by creating unjust:
excitement and fiom bitter invectives against;
our northern frienJs, counteractions to the1
cffirta which they hare been, and are sttl!
making, to rcliuke and prosfritc the wild
and unhallowed rffjrfs of those wicked m m,
wli > are acting without a ju>? regard to the
rights aifd interests of the South, or w ithout
foreseeing the throes and convulsions wheh
must inevitably rc/ult from their course ol
action, should it not be arrested.
If there reckie?* agitators continue 'heir
course, and northern integrity and iKirthcru .
patriotism should hoi put them down, these j
melancholy realities will be the result.?
They will convulse this republic u> its centre, ;
and lay bare its masay found aliens, instead '
of conferring benefits upon the black race,
whose exclusive champions they profess to
be, they will stay, and perhaps forerw, those ?
meliorating causes which have been gradually
exercising their influences for (Ho last thirty
years npon the condition of the slave population
of this country, and will consign it to n
necessary and i nor liable condition of greater JjL
severity. Yes, sir, they may produce that de- ^
plorablc condition by which their after des- - ft
traction may be,ncces*ary to sesaro the safe- j
ty of this country. Was it over yet known
in the history oi" mankind, that two distinct J
colors could coexist 00 terms of equal ^ciril 5
ninl political liberty? Somcrthan this shall - J
ever be realized, the one or the oth^rr will bar x 1
exterminated. ^ * 1
When the abolitionists, in their Qniso- '
lie IIUIMUI3 *11 gt'(ivr?il CUJa?IM|MUU)l| |I|CS9
forward io their objects aguiast Umj arrangements
and :lie established order of
things, under lite pfons of Divine Proridcncc,
they censure (he insdont of God.
I feel a^sjred that the virtuous, the
considerate. the Invers of order, the supporters
of the Union. anil of life, liberty
and property, hare made np a cool and-'
deliberate judgement; that northern people
hare nothing to do with the *instiia^ono
of sherry in the sooth; that to at-,
J tempt to r!?lerf?:re, will eventuate in remediless
injury to the bhekandthe white
population, and-jhat the end mty be to
destroy that beautiful fabric of government.
which has, f?? fifty years, given tmriralied
happiness and prosperity to Shi*:
country, and which has produced, by successive
actions, the happiest changcs.cn
every G rvcrriment in Christendom. I
hare predicated toy opinions and declaimt.ons
with regard to northern faith and
' northern patriotism in reference to slavery
' I"~? Oi .1nnnn m?r Mr.
| lit IliC ??*?* V44UIUI tig Ulsib>| f-ru t?j vst|
liest convictions with regard to that en- i
tightened t nil admirable portion of ourcom!
mon country; upon those historical recoJj
lections, which made ns one people; upon
1 the declarations ofggriilJrrnen from every
i portion of the conn try. possess;! of nil the
| means ncressary to enable them to give
jjnst cietrsof feeling and of public scnlz-'
j rnen>; upon die declarations of die People
| in their primary meetings, contained in
their deliberate rcsolrcs; upon the addresses
and avowals of many of the bcs4 and
wisest men of the north; upon executive
messages In diSrrent State Legislatures
in the natli-rrt sections of the Union, end
upon ucccpitvocal declarations and assonf
thp nreat bodv of bath branches
! of Congress. ?Thcse arc "tie grounds ttp!on
which I predicate my belief, that will*
the exception of the were* abtditiouiirts,
nothern fcclirj* and acntiir.cnt life perfect- ly
safc.'and ihst the moral and intellectual
| forces of the country will prcrail, if sooth-.
' crn folly 'ocxcitctr.crit t!o not prevent tl,
! tt* p.urt."jr!r^ (ally uxl mmh
fci?m* f
j Un&r these circnrasianecs and villi
I ihr. c convictions I call on lite Congres*.
of the United States, under depp.and an-/'
! icmn feelings to regard ibis qutsfien*,
j which is nv>st injuriously affecting the
| people of this country, and lo smile, by .
o.tmc decisive act, u quid ami armi
! the course ? hich ihiogy arc taking; for if,
this imitating subject is not settled, and
excitement and agitation shall he allowed
h? rc. then you witj races in ilus Capital,
?irt some one or two year* hence, under,
such r i r?- u m Moccr * op feeling and of deep,
dissatisfaction, as trill safety >
and duration of this Union. > Tcall.upon
members from every section of this great
and power fid ennii deration,, under
, ins! mid nrnner srncr nf dnlv in ih* IJr?
" ?- | l~ " ?V
j public, to compromise differing opinions,
; *nd to girc confident e end accority to
j every section of this blessed nnd bappy
j country. This Government was born anI
der a lofty and enlightened spirit of compromise;
an! it cannot exist one 3 car .
| tritaoulit. Moderation, justice, nnd f??gi
benrance, arc necessary and cardinal vtr- .
| lues iti carrying on ihc^rcat plans of solf-.
I government, first conceived and executed
jby the conscript fathers of (hits country,
j All trill he elemental nrar, unless trisdom,
I rather than passion, shall preside orcr the
I councils of the nation, in the management *
of the multifarious interests and eadkts
concerns of this extensive and mighty
country.
Correspondence of the Sunday Slorninj New*.
Wasoivctox, March 2, 183G
Nothing ol interest has occurred here this
week. The proceedings of both bouse*
.hue port ant, and nothing of
moment has transpired out of llie ltouse.?
Abolition is still a standing, tltough a stale
dish in the senate. Irr the house, l?oih Monday
and Tuesday were consumed in debates
growing out of questions of order it) relation
to the presentation of abolition memorials
and resolutions. The southern nuliificrs
and WInternet) arc uneasy at the disposition,
mad-* by the house of tjris subject, under
Mr. I'inckncy's rrsolutjrfh, and lost no opportunity
to express tbtfir dissent to the whole
arrangement, repeated decisions of
die chair, jrdstpfni-d by an overwhelming
vote of the hod*c. "every paper and proportion"
^tcjgniig to .'ttK>li?ion, is rcfcrrible,
wiilin.it JOostioti, debate, or instructions,
to lire snect committee on that subject. Mr.*
W^nd Mr. Patton have attempted to giro
n different direction to the lcter of th?governor
of Virginia, transmitting the rew-lutions
of the !egi?latnro of that state on the abolittmi
question, but without success. Their
o ;ject is to obtain from the house a distinct
and explicit declaration that Congress has no
power, under the constituiion, to abolish
slavery, cr in any wavto interfere with it, as