Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. II.djvu/270

214 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS word "expunge." The "expunging" resolution was adopted by a party vote. Toward the end of Jackson s administration the subject of slavery began to be pressed upon the attention of congress by petitions for its abolition in the District of Columbia. One memorial on this subject was presented by Mr. Buchanan himself from some Quakers in his own state. Mr. Cal- houn and others objected to the reception of these petitions. Mr. Buchanan, though he disapproved of slavery, yet contended that congress had no power under the constitution to interfere with slavery within those states where it existed, and that it would be very unwise to abolish it in the District of Columbia "a district carved out of two slave- holding states and surrounded by them on all sides"; but, nevertheless, he also contended, in a long and forcible speech, for the people s right of petition and the duty of congress, save under ex ceptional circumstances, to receive their petitions. In June, 1836, Mr. Buchanan argued, against Mr. Webster, for a bill, introduced in conformity with a special recommendation from President Jackson, prohibiting the circulation through the mails of incendiary publications on the subject of slavery. In a very sarcastic speech against a bill to prevent the interference of certain federal officers with elec tions, even in conversation, Mr. Buchanan thus ex pressed his political faith: "I support the president