 The Cavalcade of America starring Lionel Barrymore Tonight the DuPont company brings you return to glory starring Lionel Barrymore on the Cavalcade of America Lionel Barrymore appears by arrangement with Metro Golden mayor producers of the unfinished dance starring Margaret O'Brien Turn to glory starring Lionel Barrymore as John Quincy Adams on the Cavalcade of America Mr. Richardson you suggest that I should run for Congress an ex-president why not mr. Adams father yes Charles I wouldn't consider it if I were you it would be undignified even degrading sir Excuse me sir, but it was my thoughts you would elevate the office without degrading yourself. Mr. Richardson Charles you're both wrong The office needs no elevation as you call it but father too to serve in the lower house of Congress If the people ask me I'd be glad to serve as a town clerk Then you'll accept mr. Adams on one condition sir, and that is I will be responsible to no party To no section, but only to my conscience and the nation That was an early fall day in the year 1830 in the old family home at Quincy, Massachusetts Two years before my husband John Quincy Adams had left the White House Defeated by Andrew Jackson and now well now he was going back to Washington as a congressman So he felt he was not a failure that the people wanted him needed him But there were others in Congress who thought otherwise Well gentlemen, we're agreed on this then unquestionably report good No more petitions, especially those asking for the abolition of slavery It's better for Congress in the country if they're left on red arm mr. Marshall what what about John Quincy Adams? There'll be no trouble with him. He's happy enough to be back in public service. Well, I don't know a next president exactly Holding on to a remnant of former glory He's an old man confused by president Jackson's easy victory two years ago No gentlemen, we have nothing to fear from John Quincy Adams the old war horse has lost his fire Be careful here. He comes Well gentlemen from Massachusetts. Good morning, mr. Adams Good morning gentlemen. Glad you came along mr. Adams. There's something we should like to talk over with you Oh, fine. Mr. Marshall fine by what is it mr. Adams? It's probably been obvious to you too that Congress has reached the limit of its patience too many petitions. You know understand Why I didn't notice after you've been here for a while mr. Adams. You'll see what we mean, but what about the people? They sent us here. It's their right. Of course of course, but many petitions should go on red For the good of Congress of the Union for instance, why disturb the South over this so-called right to petition It's better to let sleeping dogs lie There you understand of course Excellent I see we're all going to get along very well now. Shall we go into session John Adams John Adams? What is it excuse me? I should like a word with me. Mr. Adams is just about to go into session just a moment Just a moment. What is it sir? I have a petition a petition now see here So I can teach the John Adams to present this humble petition to Congress one moment You're a quaker aren't you? I am sir from, Pennsylvania then why not ask your own representative to read it sir exactly mr Marshall and now sir if you'll excuse us if it please be our representative is afraid to read it, huh? What's that afraid? Well, what's it for? Let me see it all come along mr. Adams It's probably another petition for the abolition of slavery. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. That's just what it is It asks for the abolition of the slave trade here in the district of Columbia And then for the abolition of slavery our representative is afraid we abolitionists will lend by destroying the union of these two my but The cannot favor slavery. I hate slavery sir all kinds But under the Constitution Congress can do nothing short of his war powers to abolish slavery I disagree with you sir. Oh, of course. You're very right mr. Adams, and now sir if you will excuse just a moment I said I disagree and I do But I think this citizen should have the right to have his petition presented before Congress And since his own representative won't do it, I shall read it for him. What is there some joke mr. Adams? Since when has the people's right to petition Congress become a joke? I I didn't mean that And you sir rest assured your petition will be read now good day. I thank you. Good day Mr. Adams you didn't mean that we had an understanding sir. We did I understood you, but I'm afraid you misunderstood me I am duty bound to present any and all petitions now if you will excuse me gentlemen. I'm late Nothing nothing at all, but he's going to read that petition cause he is let him He's still hanging on to that remnant of glory he'll let go soon enough or We'll find a way to stop it But that petition wasn't the only one my husband read as the days went by he read many more He gave his allegiance to no party or section, but only to the people themselves Then one day in the house Mr. Speaker mr. Speaker I have a petition to read This is a petition asking for the abolition of slavery not another one no Thank you, sir This petition quotes the declaration of independence that all men are created free and equal Well the gentleman from Massachusetts yield for a question I yield for a question I should like to know his views on slavery my view sir are of no consequence. I Am here solely to serve the people of this country their right to petition Congress on any subject is part of their freedom I will read these petitions as long as they're sent to me Massachusetts yield for a minute I yield but only for a minute this will take only a minute Mr. Speaker, I move that hereafter this house reject unread all petitions regarding slavery Gentlemen the very first article of our bill of rights guarantees the right of the people to petition the government for redress of grievances Deny that privilege and next a free press will be denied and then free speech will be denied In the end, we shall lose all our liberties The house rejects without reading all petitions regarding slavery Resolution just passed as a gag in the mouth of free speech It is a direct violation of the Constitution, but it's a rule just the same now mr. And I'll fight that until my dying breath to have such a gag rule wiped out John fought against the gag rule Weeks went into months and he would not give up Like a malicious litany the words of his opponents smashed against him that gentlemen from Massachusetts is out of order Forgets there is a rule against reading that petition Gentlemen from Massachusetts knows rule number 25 prohibits this petition Petition against slavery I watched him tire him I saw the lines on his face deepen the shadows and resized darken Then one night, you know what time it is No, I don't think I do. It's almost a light outside. You've been working all night. I didn't notice There's so much to be done so much I can't my dear not so long as the people send me these petitions to be read Are there any on slavery? You'll read them the first sentence at least I talk fast, you know and what I say must go into the records But these petitions there What are you going to say John? This isn't a petition. Oh Louisa give that to me. You weren't going to tell me about this letter There's no reason to a threat against your life now John How many of these have you received? Now now now the writers are just cranks. They hate you not enough for that they do Stop it Louisa. This is not worth the worry John. You've got to stop. No, no Louisa. No, no, no Let someone else fight now. You've done enough. No man ever does enough Louisa Tyranny and oppression find their way easily through any crack in the armor of democracy The gag rule is that crack For my sake John, please for my sake Wish you hadn't said that you won't think of yourself. That's right Nor even of you now John I Hate to say that Because I love you more than anything in the world of wisdom, but No matter what comes or whom it may hurt. I'll keep on fighting And he kept fighting and he received more letters threatening his life Then one night he went against John Quincy himself Adams Good evening gentlemen. Mr. Adams. Good evening, sir. This Adams. It's a surprise see you here Judging by the reception it must be senator clay will you join me at my table, sir? Thank you No, senator. I didn't come here to enjoy myself, but for quite a different reason. You'll excuse me, sir. Mr. Marshall I should especially like you to hear what I'm going to say. I'm sorry, but I have business elsewhere Your discrepancy matches your tactics Sir, I could wish you were a younger man. Yeah, gentlemen, please never mind senator I'm sure mr. Marshall remembers my age. I do sir. Please excuse me great What I have to say won't take long then get it over with This is not the floor of the house where parliamentary rules protect you and keep others bored by your so-called eloquence Today I received another letter threatening my life Are you accusing me mr. Adams? I am not Whatever weapons you choose sir. I am sure they would not be anonymous. I shall cherish that praise from you, sir He's do but Even if the writer of those letters were in this room now, I Should still say what I came here to say. Mr. Adams, please. I will not be silenced The letters don't worry me at all gentlemen, but they do cause my wife extreme anxiety However Even that will not stop me from continuing my fight someday. You will go too far mr. Adams and God grant It's in the right direction. No one need to you sir. You're drawing your own loose. Perhaps. I am mr. Marshall But so far it's not tight enough to choke off my voice Please sit with me a moment. All right senator. Hey, my business is over They're waiting for you to make one false move on slip length since they can't silence you any other way You'll try to get rid of your son or ship from office. No, perhaps perhaps But even in that event I will not stop what I said out to do Kill that gag rule You are listening to return to glory Starring Lionel Barrymore as John Quincy Adams on the cavalcade of America Sponsored by the DuPont company maker of better things for better living through chemistry Elected to Congress ex-president John Quincy Adams fights against the gag rule prohibiting the reading of petitions on slavery But slavery is not the issue. It is the right of Americans to petition that is being endangered by the rule as The second part of our story opens his wife Louisa continues Time passed and the people heard what John was doing He gains some supporters Each time his motion for repeal of the gag rule was put before the house There were one or two more in favor Then one day in the house when he had the floor. I Have a petition from 46 citizens of Haverhill, Massachusetts Praying for the peaceable dissolution of the Union I'll have the floor and I intend to keep it The reference of this petition to a select committee with instructions to report why the petition should not be granted Satisfied mr. Marshall in merely bringing this petition before us. You are guilty of high treason contempt of this house and guilty of a high breach of privilege I Asked for its rejection by a committee I move the honorable John Quincy Adams deserves expulsion from Congress for giving aid and comfort to the enemies of the Union aid and comfort to those who would dissolve it I Get this speaker. I have the floor Let the clerk read the last sentence of the first paragraph from the Declaration of Independence Let him read it But when a long train of abuses and usurpations Pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right their duty to throw off such government and to provide new guards for their future security Let no one seek to destroy this government But it is our right and our duty to preserve its liberties There would be no such right if the people lost the power of tradition Gentlemen, there will be foreign Desperate ins and ideologies that will seek to destroy us But I say to you that we will lose the power to defend ourselves against those if we stifle the right to defend ourselves against our own oppression Crush the right to petition Destroy it if you will but at the same time take the words that were just read by the clerk and do this to me Mr. Speaker If the gentleman from Massachusetts withdraws the petition, I'll withdraw the resolution for his expulsion I will not withdraw single word expel me if you like but not one word of any petition will I withdraw He was not expelled but the fight weakened him did what his enemies could not forced him to rest But the people had heard and they did answer as we took a trip around the country John loved so much I'm sick But if you have petitions Send them to me. I am ploy. You send them to me. It's your right as Americans The same everywhere and the people's voice was heard John planned to continue the fight as soon as he got back, but sickness stopped him Yes, John you're supposed to be sleeping I don't feel like it lie back dear. I want my clothes. What'd you do with them? You're staying where you are. I have worn you Louisa as soon as you're out of this room I'll go to Congress as I am don't you want to get well, but I'm not sick It's time for your medicine. I'll get John what did you do with it? He's had a vile taste My throw it into the fireplace. I can get more no doubt. No doubt Louisa. I tell you that I guess I am a little tired. Of course you are but I'm not sick Louisa. I tell you I'm not sick But he was and it wasn't bounce before he went back to Washington to Congress I Remember that day one of the members had the floor then John entered There was a stir every eye in the house turned to watch as he walked slowly down the aisle toward his seat The members stopped speaking as one man the house got to its feet Stood for the man who not too long before they had fought against I wish to thank the members of the house for their curtsy Welcome back, mr. Adams. Thank you. Thank you Am I in order for a motion mr. Speaker chair will entertain your motion mr. Adams. No petitions mr. Adams As a matter of fact sir, I have a portfolio full of them and I intend to read them later First I move that house rule number 25 the gag rule be stricken out It has been moved and seconded that this house strikeout rule 25 those in favor Motion to carry you've won your fight. Not I mr. Johnson Gentlemen my young colleague mr. Andrew Johnson has Just said that I won my fight. That's not true You gentlemen You've won because you've remembered that liberty is more than just a word Freedom means that we Americans will always be guaranteed the right to say so if we think something wrong But this freedom must be guarded today and tomorrow and by everybody May God grant us the courage and strength forever to fight for it Thank You mr. Barrymore Ladies and gentlemen Lionel Barrymore will return in just a moment with a very important message for you now here is gained with men Today the American Chemical Society Opens its 112th national meeting in New York The knowledge and skill of these chemists both men and women Have helped to bring us many of the good things of life. We now regard as everyday conveniences At one time or another for instance more than 200 of our own DuPont chemists and engineers Worked to perfect what is known today as DuPont nylon You may be surprised to hear that nylon is a fiber is finding many uses as an industrial material The same built-in ruggedness which makes it so good for stockings is a value in industrial jobs In a textile mill in New England to name one such job Nylon rope is being used to drive belts to transmit power Where the old ropes lasted only about seven weeks? The nylon ones are still running after 16 months Filter cloth the screen products like flour and cornstarch is now made of this DuPont fiber Which lasts four and five times as long as the form of material But perhaps the toughest job we've heard of so far is something the laundrymen are doing with this tough baby nylon When you send your clothes to the laundry, they are kept separate from other people's clothes by putting them into special laundry bags on nets These nets are washed over and over again all day long It would be hard to imagine any tougher test for any material Laundromen tell us nylon nets are lasting four times longer on the average than any others. They were ever able to find Here's an interesting comment on the eagerness with which Americans try and accept new products This new fiber which first captivated women because of its delicate beauty and wearability and hosiery Because it is one of the toughest fibers ever placed at the service of industry will benefit you in many ways If you would like a booklet telling how DuPont nylon is made and how to take care of it We'll be glad to send you one free of charge Just right to the radio section DuPont Wilmington Delaware and asked for the booklet about DuPont nylon Which is of course one of DuPont's better things for better living through chemistry Constitution is one hundred and sixty years old this week On Wednesday Constitution Day a special train is scheduled to begin a nationwide tour in Philadelphia The cradle of American liberty. It's called the freedom train and it will visit 300 American cities during the next 12 months A board of scores of priceless documents which have created and which guarantee our American freedom Jefferson's own draft of the Declaration of Independence George Washington's own copy of the Constitution and our American bill of rights For more than 10 years the DuPont Cavalcade of America has urged Americans to rededicate themselves to the great ideals of our American heritage Now is the time to refresh our memories To talk with our families and friends about what it means to be an American as Adam said Freedom must be guarded today and tomorrow by everybody Freedom is everybody's job Five velvet awkward like all American women could not legally vote in a national election But there was no law that prevented her from becoming president of the United States Next week the DuPont Cavalcade of America presents Virginia Bruce as velvet awkward Who accepted the nomination for the nation's highest office and won her fight for women's rights? Remember next Monday night Virginia Bruce is the girl who ran for president on the DuPont Cavalcade of America The music for the DuPont Cavalcade is composed and conducted by Robert armbruster Tonight Cavalcade was written by Garrett Porter Jane Morgan played the part of Louisa Adams This is Frank Bingman inviting you to listen next week to the girl who ran for president Starring Virginia Bruce on the Cavalcade of America brought to you by the DuPont Company of Wilmington, Delaware