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4 f .5 i ' it.' r! UNION. THE CONSTITUTION. AND THE LAWS THE GUARDIANS OF OUR LIBERTY. Vol. XIX. THURSDAY, SI AY 3, 139. lYo. 009. from ths I lnoi tackwooesinsa. The Forced Patent. Th change which the last twenty year have wrought in Illinois, woold be incredible to on who htt not witnessed them. Al that period our settlements wcr few, sul lite spirit of enterprise tint pw pervades every corner of the etate, bad But been awakened. The bluff of our own beautiful rir ltd never sent back the echo of the team ergine. Without a market fr their produce, the i tvmx confined their Ltxiri to the wan'a f their own families. Cora was nearly ths only crop raised, and Irom tlie time it n Aif . tho end of July, till inKiz tiiHt,' in November, waa a ho hhiy, and the intervening period waa pissed in idlenes, except on Saturday. On that diy, duly at it arritcd, tlie set-tk-r far auJ near, collected at the distil--ry, and amused themselves with shoot ing at a mark, trading nsgv, and too utica when the tin cup has pasted freely around, in lighting. 'i'U. air, is by no means a picture of all the settlements of that early period, but that it la graphically true of many, mme t-f our oldest settlers deny. Hut to my narrative. tine iS.lurday afternoon, in the year 1MJ. a young nun was seen approach in with slow and weary ttepa, the houie. j t rather dutiiiery, of tquire Crosby, of lirvii t-Praiu. an bcure settlement on the Md.lny Tract. At usual on that ihy, a Urje collection of people were tainting )iemeive at Squire Croaby'a, win owned the only divultrry in that re (t.inwat a magiatratc, and rrprded by the aettlera at a rich and great man. The youth who now came up to the groupe waa apparently about twenty-one Tfe of age, of tender form, fair and de l.eato completion, with the air of one aceuttotneJ to good aoeiety. It waa evi dent at a glance that he waa not inured to the hardabtpe of a frontier life, or la Utrttfaov kind. Uut hia diera bore a itrange contraat with hia appearance and manners, lie wore a bunting shirt ol j health, out ne resolved at present to con the coarsest linscy wodsey, a common 'fine the secret to hia own bosom. It atraw hat. and a pair of deerakin mocca- j was (ratifying to him to witness the en- sins. A large park, completed bis equip ment. Kvfry or.e'eized with curiosity upon the new comer. In titeir eagerness to karn who he was, whence he came, and what was his business, tht horse swap ws left uiifinubfd the rills waa laid andr, and even the busy tin cup had a temporary respite. I'he Vuunz nun approached Fqiure t Crosby, whom even a stranger could dia- tied at his long and unusual stay, she lingoisli as the principal peronsge among ' was aeiting out to procuro a neighbor to them, and anxiously inquired for a houia ; go in starch of him, when her parent where he could be accommodated; say ; iiorc in sight. She ran to meet him, and ing that he waa extiemely ill, and felt all t was bestowing upon him a thousand en the eymptona of an approaching fever. dcarin expressions of affection, when Crosby eyed him keenly and sunpi-1 his hazard, woe-brgone countenance cionaly for a moment without uttering a rord. Knaves and swindlers bad been recently abroad, and the language of the youth betrayed that he was ayankee,' a nima at that tune associated 111 the minds ol tho iginrnl with every thing liiat waa bate. Mistaking the silence an I hesitation of Ctonby, for fear of his j inability to pay, the stranger smiled and : aid. I am not without moncv," and . putting hia hand to his pocket to give oc cular proof of his assertion, he was hor ror struck to find that hia pocket book waa gone. It contained every cent of Ins money, besides papers of great va lue to him. Without a farthing without even a single letter or psper to attest that hia character was honorable in a atrange Unit and sickness rapidly coming upon him these feelings nearly drove him to j icp4ir. The squire, who priuetl himself on hia sagacity in detecting villains, now fiund the use of his tongue. With a loud anl sneering laugh, he said, " Stranger, you are barking up the wrong tree, if you think to coteh me with that an Yankee trick of yourn." He proceeded in that inhuman atrsin, aeeonded by nearly eve ry on present, for tho Squarr was ve f powerlul, and few dared to ilup!e;ie him. The youth fell keenly his desolate situation, and casting his eye around over the group, in a tone of deep and despair in? anxiety, inquired, "is liicro nono who will receive mel" Yes. I will," Tied a man among tho crowd; ye, poor sick stringer, 1 will alioltcr you." Then in a lower tone he added, " I know not whether you are deacrring, but I know ymi are a fellow being, and in sick ness and in want, ami for tho sake of bint who died for the guillv. if not for your own sake, will I bo kind to you, poor Jotinjv stranger." Tha man wlo stopped forth and prof fered a homo to th youth in the hour of entering, was Snnon Davis, an elderly nun, who refilled near Crosby, and to hom the Utter was a duadly enemy. Uncle Simon as he was called, never re taliated, an 1 bore the innny persecutions "f his vindictive neighbor without com plaint. His family consisted of himself n I daughter, his only child an affec tionate girl of aeventeen. The youth heard the offer of Mr. Da but beard no moie. fur overcome by lu feelings and extruuu illuuis, ho Mi1 "naenilila to the earth. Ha waa ronver. ed to tha house of hia benefactor, and a pnyaician called. ing was tha sirug gt between life and death. Though an conscious, he called anon bia mother and iater to aid hint. When the ronth waa laid on her bed, and aba beard him rail if for bia aiater, Lucy Davie wept and aaid to him, poor tick young man, your sister ie far distant, and cannot hear ton, but I will be to you a aiater." ell did thu black-eyed maiden keep ucr promise. At length the eriaie of hia disorder ar rivedthe day which waa to decide the queation of life or death. Luey bent over him with interne anxiety, watching every expression of hia features. I.srdlv daring to breathe, to fearful waa the ol waking him from the only sound sleep which be bad enjoyed for nine Ion g day and night. At length he awoke and gazed up into the f4ee of Luey Davie, and fttitly inquired, where am 1!" There waa intelligence in that look. Youth anJ a good constitution had ob tained the mastery. I.ucy frit that he waa spared, and bursting into a il-ioj of irrepreitiklo tear, tushtd out of the room. It was lo weeks more It fare he could sit up even fur a ehoit time. He had al ready acquainted them with hia name and residcuce, but they bad no curiosity to learn further, and fmbid hi giving his lory uiiia he brcame tlrongsr. lii name was Crurk-a WiUon, and his pa ternal home U.iaton. A fc.r daya after ward, when Mr. Davia waa atVaent from home, and I.ury eniged wbout her bouachtdJ aif4iri, WiUon saw at the hed of his bed hia pack, and recollect ing aomediing tliat he wanted, opened it. Tlie first thing he saw was the idiiulical pocket book whose lots had ctrited ao many bitter regrets. lie recollected ha ving placed it there the morning before he reached Urebt'e I'rarie, but in the confusion of the moment, that rircum stance was forgotten. He eiamined and lound every thing as he left iu 1 hia discovery neany restored him to tire confidence they reposed in the honor aiid integrity of a stranger, and the plea sure with which they bestowed favors upon one whom they supposed coulJ make so rtturn but thank. Night came and Mr. Davis did not re turn. I.ucv p.sscd a sleepless night. In the morning she walched hour after hour for hia coming, and when aunset approached and he was still absent, tt rri- startled her. He uttered cot a word, and seated himself in gloomy silence. It wss in vain that Lucy attempted to cheer him. Afrer a long pause, during which a pow erful strugglo was going on in his feel. ings, he arose, took his daughter hand and led her into the room where Wilson was sealed, "you shall know all," said he. ! am ruined; I am a becn-r. In a few daya I must leave this house ; this, tificate. It w as written by Crosby, and farm which I have so highly improved; the land he wished to purchase was the and thought my own." lie proceeded identical firm of Mr. Davis, to state that a few day previous. Crosby, J Astonished that his friend, the judge, in a moment of ungovernable malice, taun- should certify that the land was worth ted him with being a beggar, and told: no more, Mr. Davis asked to ace the him he was now in his power, that ho; certificate, and after a moment's exami would crush him under his Feet. When: nation unhesitatingly pronounced the sig Mr. Davia smiled at what he regarded ! nature a forgery. only a an impotent threat, Crosby, to convince him, told bim that the patent of' hia farm was a forireil one, and that lie (Crosby) knew the real owner of the land had written to purchase it. and ex pected a deed in a few days. Davis im mediately went home for Ins patent, and during hia long absence, had visited the land office. Crosby wns right. The patent beyond all doubt was a forged one. and the claim of Davis to the farm was not worth a farthing. ti mv kn nrnrinr ti ntiaorvo that cnun- terfciting soldier patents was a regular) Wilson except with a look of contempt, business in some of the eastern chics, and After pouring out bis maledictions upon hundreds had been dupod. the family, he advised tlicm to leave im- It is not for myself," said the old! mediately. The old nnn inquired if he man, "that I grievo at this miforttinJ would give him nothing for tho improve I am advanced in life, and it mitters not I ments he had made. The answer was how or where I pass the remaining days) "not a cent." " Yotl certainly would of nv exigence. I have a home bcvortd not," said Wilson, "drive this old man the stars whero your tnotiier ha gnno before me, and where 1 would have long since joined her, had I not lived to pro tect her child, my own, my alTectionato Lucy." Tho weeping girl flung her arms around the neck of Iter father, and poured her tears upon his bosom. We can bo happy still," said she, "for I am young and can easily support ws both." A new scene followed in which anoth er individual was principal actor. I shall leave the reader to form his own opin ion f it, and barely remark that at the close the old man took the hand of Lucy and young Wilson, and joining them to gether said, my children, I cheerfully consent t your union. Though poor, with good conscience you can b h ippy. I kaow, Ciuilc-t, you will be kind ti my Lucy, for a few nights ago, when yoq thought that no human ear could hear yoo, I heard yoo fere endy implore the bleings of Heaven upon any gray hairs, and that God would reward my child for all her kindness to you. Taking down hia family Bible the venerable old man added, it is a ser.son of eviction, but. we are not forsaken ; let ns look for support to Him who promised to sustain us. He opened the book and read, "Although the fig tree shall aot blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vine ; the labors of the fields shall yield no meat ; the flocks shall be cut o J from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the sull: yet will I rejoice h the Lord : I will joy in the God of my salvation." Charles and Lucy knelt beside the ven erable o! I man, and while he prayed, they wept tears of grateful cmo'.ionl It waa a l-c;.lcs, but not unhappy nig lit to the three inhabitants of the neat and cheerful dwelling they were about to leave, and go they knew not where. It was then that young Wilson learnt the real value of money by means of it he could give a shelter to those who had kindly received l.iia when evury other door waa clutcd upon him. All nitjht long he thought of the forg ed pMeni. There were a few word dropped by Mr. Davis, which he could ' r. u.. i .1... r... 1... ! bad written to the rcul owner of tho land and had obtained the promise of a deed. It is now time for the reader tj be come morV fully aequintcd with the his tory of t!te youn stranger. His lather, Charles Wilson, sen. was merchant of Boston, who had acquired sn immen.e fortune. At the close of the I late war, when the soldiers received from the government their bounty oi 160 a etc ol laud, many of them offered their patents to Mr. Wilson for isle. Finding that they were resolved to sell them, he concluded to save them from a sacrifice of their hard earnings, and pur chase at a fair price all that were offered. In three year no small portion of the Military Tract came into hi possession. On the day that Charles became of sge. he gave him a deed of a principal part of his land in Illinois and insisted that he should go uut to see it, and if he liked the country to etttle there. Wishing hjm ti become identified with the peo ple, he recommended his ton on his ar rival iu tho aUt. to lay aside his broad cloth, and dress like a backwoodsman. On the morning of his son's departure, Mr, Wilson received a letter from a man in Illinois, who had frequently writ ten. He wished tJ purchase a certain quarter auction at government price, which Mr. Wilson promised he should hive on those terms, provided ho for warded a certificate from the judgu of the Circuit Court that the land was worth no more. The letter just received en closed the certificate in question. Mr. Wilson hid given this tract to Charter, and putting the letter and certificate into his hand, enj lined upon him to deed it to the writer agreeable to promise, on his arrival at Illinois. The remarks of Mr. Davia forcibly re minded young Wilson of this incident, and on the next morning, after he became acquainted with the design of Crohy, with a trembling hand examined tho cer- An explanation from tho young man now became necessary, anu caning i.u ry into the room, told them his history, and laid before them a pile of patents and bank notes, one after another, till the amount reached thousands. It was a day ol thankful happiness to old Simon Davis and his daughter, and not less to young Wilson. Not long after this scene Crosby en trr...l Hi sir nil that of a mi 11 who j has an enemy i hi power, and intend to trawl nlo oil him. IlC fCaret IV noticed and his daughter pennylcss into the it 1" Will III . What is that to you ?" replied Cros bv, with a look of malicu and contempt. 'I will answer you that question," eaid Wibon ; and immediately informed him w ith what the reader is already eeqtiain ted. Crosby was stupilied with aston ishment : but when he saw all bis schemes of villany were defeated and proof of his having committed forgery could be established, his assurance for sook him, and he threw himself upon his knees, and begged first the U man, and then Lucy and Wilson, to spare him. Affected with his appeal, the latter rocd to purchase the l inn ii,;oii which CiOoby lived, upon condition of las in- standy leaving the country. He accep ted the terms, and with hi family fie J to Teias. Vibj ahould I spin out my narrative f Loey and C'harlea were married I and though a splendid mansion rose ap on the farm of Mr. Datis, both loved far better the little room where she had eo long watched over the aiek bed of tlie homeless stranger. Mr. Wilson waa rich, but never forgot those who were in want. Cheered by the kind and affec tionate attention of hia children, old Si mon Davia a'mott seemed to have re newed his existence. He lived many years, and long enough to tell the bright eyed eon of Chaile and Luey the atory of the Forged Deed. And when he told the listening boy bow bis Lther, when poor and friendless, was taken home and kindly treated, and in turn became their benefactor, he impressed upon tie o.ind of Lis grand child, that even a cup of cold water given from a pure motive shall not loae its reward. RHODE-ISLAND LEGISLATURE. JANUARY SESSIONS, 33. la Ceneral An.ml'r, January S3. The committee to whom were referred the resolution of Mr. Weils, of Hopkin- ton, t-uicliitij certstn resolutions passed 1 by tho House of ICeprcicntativcs of the United States on tlie 12ih of December, lb3.. relative to petition for the aboli tion of slavery, fcr. fyc., and also sundry petitions from citizens of this state relat ing to the right of petition, report a lol- lnvi? Whereas the House of Rcnrcsentitivcs 'of tho Contrress of tho United States, on the 11th and 12th davs of December, 1833, passed tho following; resolutions, viz. " RftoZrtJ, That this Government is cf Iim ile J power, and thai by tlie constitution f tho United Slates Congrcs has no jurisdiction whatever over tha institution of slavery in the si vera! states of lb Confederacy. Rtntlfti, That fe'itions for ths abolition of slavt ty in the district of Columtia and V t territories of tha Un to J Stiles, and against tlx removal of slaves from one statu to anoth c are a pari of a p'an .f operations set on foot to alT-ct ths institution slavery in the several slates, and thus indirectly to distroj tliat institulioa witl.in their several limits. litiJvti, Tliai Cungrens has no rig'it to da that iniHrectly which it cannot do directly, and that ths agitation of the s jtj' cl of slave ry in tho district of Columbia or in the I- rntn rivs, as a means or with a view of ihs'.uiliing or overthrow ing that indilution in the several statts, i again! tho Irue I irit and mcaninc of tho eoii"ii'iti'f, sn infringement of th rights of the state atf.-t-ted, an4 a brearh ot Ilia ptihlie faith on hich they entered into lb confederaey. KctolttJ, That the constitution rests npon the broad principles of equality among the members of tho confederacy, and Dial Con Ciss, in the exercise of its cknn Icdji d pow er, hat no ritglit to disrriininitu between the institutKins nr one portion of lbs siates and another, with a view ol abolishing the one or promoting the other. " lictd cJ, thtrtfert. That all attempt on the part of Congresi to abolish ilavt-ry in the dis trirt of Columbia r t the territories, or to pro hibit the removal of slaves from state Instate, or to dUcritninnte betwren the constitutions of one portion of the confederacy and another, with the view aforesaid, are in violation of the constitutional principles on which the Union of these Ma'.t-s ri-sts, and beyond the luti-uic- tion of Confront; And I! al every petition, me morial, resolution, proposition or paper, toui-h-inffor ret it ing, in any way or to ary extent whatever, to slavery store -rani, or the ab lmn thereof, ehalt, on the presentation thereof, without ai.y farther action thereon, bo Itid on the table, without being piloted, debated, or referred."' And whereas, in the judgment of this General Assembly, that part of the reso lution which declares that " every peti tion, memorial, resolution, proposition, or paper, touching or rclaiinj, in any way or to nny extent whatever, to sla very as aforesaid, or to the abolition thereof, shall, on the presentation there of, without any further action thereon, be laid on the tabic, without being printed, debated, or referred,' is unsound in prin ciple, a dangerous invasion of the right of the people to petition Congress, and in violation of the true intent and meaning of the constitution of the United States: Therefore resclccJ, That the General Assembly do hereby, in the name of the people of this state, protest against said resolution?, and declare that in their opi nion they might to be rescinded.' Ifesoti'cJ, That his excellency the Go vernor be requested to cnuac a copy of these resolutions to be transmitted to the members of the United States House of Representatives from thif state, to be by them laid before that body. All which is rcspcctftillv submitted by JAMES F. SIMMONS', for tlie Committee. REPORT OF THE MINORITY OF TIIF. SVME COMMITTEE. Tho undersigned, one of the commit ter to whom the foregoing resolutions wore referred, begs Icavo to report that, as ho dillVrs in opinion from tho other mcuiltors of the committee, ho has felt it to be bis duty to himsolf and to his con stituents to give 10 tho subject all tho attention which his other engagements would permit. By the resolutions submitted by Mr. Wells, of llopkinton. the resolutions of the National House of Representatives of tho lih December, 1SG9, aro character ized " as a dangerous invasion of the right of tho eopIe to petition Congress, and in violation of the constitution of the United State." The National House of Representa tives is composed of many distinguished statesmen and jurists who are no stran gers to the language and spirit of the con stitution. Their personal and indtt idual interests ara identified with the interests of the mass of the people, and their fidel ity to right of ao 1 lii'ui and popuLr a character as tlie right of petition is gua rantied by th consciousness that the slightest invasion of such rights seldom remains long unpuuhhed. It is not to be presumed, therefore, that a tiobtioa of a privilege inherited from our ancestors, and in relation to which tlie povple have always manifested a sensitive and jtalous feeling, could have been premeditated or intended, especially as the ol jeel of those resolutions could have been accomplish ed in various other modes. Nor is there the slightest reason to consider these re solutions the fruit of a slight and hasty consideration. They are evidently the result of an LndetsUnding of some sort or other between the admiulslrat'on mem bers from tlie North, and tha great body of the members from the South; and whatever the supposed rashness of the laiter might dictate, tlie wariness of the former ha seldom been off its guard up on the subject of popular rights. Tho imputation of haste aud inadver tence is still more strongly repelled by tlie well-known fact, that tlie subject of the right of petition has been agitated and discussed in Congress, in the Legisla tures of many of the states, and in the public papers, for many years. The ex treme jealousy and sensitiveness of the people on this exciting topic could not have been overlooked, nor have failed in dictating a path beyond the reach of all constitutional objections in the opinion of the members Irom the free stoles who voted in favor of the resolutions in ques tion. The cautious langusge in which the resolutions are couched fully shows that the meaning of every word was fully weighed, and totally forbids the idea of negligence or haste. The inference fiom these facts necessarily is that, in the opi nion of the supporters of these rcsolu-1 tions, they acted within the scope of their ! constitutional powers, and that, if they have exceeded them, it must have been from ignorar.ee, and not from design or negligence. llefore we condemn them, then, as unconstitutional, we ought to be sure that we have considered the subject as mature ly as those who supported them. We ought also to lake along with us the wise and temperate rule of the Supreme Court of the United States, in passing upon the acts of this and every other legislative body, never to decide against them except incases in which their unconstitionality is established beyond all reasonable doubt. The necessity of the application of this rule is much stronger in the present case than in cases before the Court, because the Court is obliged by law to pass upon such subjects. It is the performance of an imperative duty devolved upon it by the Constitution, from which it cannot escape. Its errors, therefore, like the er rors of all who by law are obliged to act. are morally and legally excusable by the necessity winch dictates the action. A pa uar who commits a mistake in the cor rection of his child is excusable before all human tribunals, liut a mere volunteer, who inflits correction upon his neighbors children, or takes part in their quarrels, stands justified by nothing but the positive certainty that his interference is legal and just. Of this latter character is the interfer ence l this IIouo with the proceedings of the National Representatives. Wo aro volunteers. Neither the Constitution nor the laws of the State under which we net, nor the Constitution nor laws of the United States, in which, as indivi duals, we are deeply interested, impose this task upon us as a duty. We have not even tho instructions of a majority of our constituents. On tho contrary, in the opi nion of the tindersrgued.such action would be contrary to the feelings and wishes of a vast majority of the peoplo of Khode Island. No combination of circumstances could possibly exist so loudly calling for ftilencc and inaction. It is in reality a dispute between tho abolitionists of the North and the slaveholders of tlie bouli Both these parties have become excited, not only torafh and imprudent language, but to rash and exceedingly imprudent action. In the progress of this, as in thei progros3 of all other disputes, each party avails itself of the mismanagement of the controversy by its antagonist, with a view to rain additional support. The efforts of the abolitionists have been un wearied and untiring to create an excite ment upon tha rtgntol petition, anu, under cover of this subsisting dispute, to enlist the wise and discreet yeomanry of Rhode Island under the abolition banner, know ing full well that a hostility to the South upon the aubject of the popular right to petition will soon extend to hostility up on all other subjects. These abolitionists arc before ns and among us. They are organized throughout the Noithern States into cunt pact and disciplined societies, ith immense sums of money at their command, and ibey force their paper atd lecturing and salaried preachers into every town and into merou families: and it is principally frora them that we are presented with argument epoa this great and exeiung questioa of eoustiia tonal law. while the framers and sup porters of the resolutions, capable, it is presumed, of shedding quite ss much light on the subject, are not before , nor are ther called upon to aid ue with their view and reasons. It is, there fore, in the opinion of the andersiened. substantially an tx parts proceeding a proceeding, too, under undue ami im proper excitement, and upon a subject in liica we are merely volunteers. U uh these preliminary remark, the undersigned will proceed to give bis rea sons for declining all action upon the subject. Uy the 1st article of the amendment li the Constitution, it is declared tliat Congress shall make no law respect ing au establishment of religion, or pro hibiting the free exercise thereof; or a bridging the freedom of speech or of tlie press ; or the right of the ncotile peacea bly to aateinble, and petition Govern ment fur a redress of grievance. Uy the st)i section of the 1st article of the Constitution, it is provided that' "each House may determine tlie rule of its proceedings." At the settlement of this countrr. and for a period long anterior, the people of England possessed the constitutional right to petition Parliament for the re dress of all giievances, whether ef an in diiidual or of a public nature. The right had al times bceu limited as to the num ber of signers, it having been found, in turbulent times, that large bodies of the people assembled under pretence ol pe titioning Parliament, but in reality for other and dangerous purposes. By a sta tute passed in the reign of Charles II, it was therefore enacted that no 'petition should be signed by more thau twenty. 1 auiasiauiip, uowever, was repeaieu or went into disuse long before (lie adoption of the American Constitution. And it was a settled right in the people of both countries to assemble in any number and petition for a redress of grievances. The Constitution docs not grant, but recog nizes the right, and prohibits its violation by any law passed by Congress. It no where defines the right; but sueh a it was, transmitted from our English an cestors, so should it remain inviolate. In order effectuallv to secure it from invasion, the Constitution provides that Congress shall pass no tato abridging it. It does not say that it shall not be affec- ted by a resolution of either House. It prohibition is against any law of Con gress : and it is well known that there is a wide difference between a law of Con gress and a resolution of either House. It is hardly necessary to state that a law of Congress requires the assent of both. Houses, and the assent of the President, also; and that, when it has become a law it operates upon the whole People of the United States. A resolution of either House operates only within the walls of the House. A law of Congress is per manent, and remains in force until re pealed by the power that enacted it. A resolution of the House expires with tho existing or present session of the House. As the Constitution clearly intended that this favorite and popular right of pe titioning (as important in the view of the framers of that instrument as the liberty of speech or of the press. should not be violated by Congress or any owier power in ine country, why, it may be asked, did it not provide that Congress should pass no law, nor that either House should pass any resolution abridging the freedom of speech, of tha press, or of the right to petition t - Waa this omission by mistake, or was it by design I Ii will be remembered that the provi sion securing these invaluable rights waa not inserted in the original Constitution itself, but is contained in the amend ments. It should also be obseived that by the original Constitution express pow er was given to each House, "to deter mine the rules of its proceedings. This pow er is granted in the broadest and am plest terms. The extent of it is beyond the reach of doubt. It is a power to de termine the rules of all it proceedings. It is also equally beyond a doubt that a ny vote of the llous" upon a petition is a part or its proceeding. The moment the petition is read, or iu contents made known, the moment any action of the House upon tha petition is asked, that action is a proceeding of the House, to be regulated solely and exclusively by tha House. Its proceeding upon such pe. tition are cutered upon the journals of the House, as are all its other proceed ings. Previous, then, to the amendments t the Constitution, each House possessed the undoubted power to pass any reso lution in relation to its ow n proceedings upon any petition or other business be fore it. It possessed the undoubted pow er to pass resolutions similar to those of the 12th December, 1S3S. No man who values his reputation for sagacity and common fairness, wdl qucstiou this pow- 'I J. f -I 1 1 5! I f J I,- - t '4 V:
The Durham Recorder (Durham, N.C.)
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May 2, 1839, edition 1
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