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 Goldwyn-Mayer, producers of The Unfinished Dance, starring Margaret O'Brien. Now Return 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 thought 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? On question on every point. Good. No more petitions, especially those asking for the abolition of slavery. It's better for Congress and 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, an ex-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. Now, 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. 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? Huh? Well, I hadn't noticed. 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 to... Yes, of course, of course. Many petitions should go on red, for the good of Congress and the Union. For instance, why disturb the South over this so-called right to petition? It's better to let sleeping dogs lie, eh? You understand, of course. Oh, I do, I do. Excellent. I see we're all going to get along very well. Now, shall we go into session? John Adams, John Adams. Yes, what is it? Excuse me, I should like a word with you. 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, sir... I beseech thee, 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 thee, our representative is afraid to read it. Huh? What's that? Afraid? What's it for? Let me see it. Oh, come along, Mr. Adams. It's probably another petition for the abolition of slavery. Yes, 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 states. It is true, my. But thee cannot favor slavery. I hate slavery, sir. All kinds. But under the Constitution, Congress can do nothing short of its war powers to abolish slavery. I disagree with you, sir. Of course, you're very right, Mr. Adams. And now, sir, if you will excuse us... Just a moment, just a moment, Mr. Marshall. 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 this some joke, Mr. Adams? Since when has the people's right to petition Congress become a joke? I didn't mean that. I'm glad. And you, sir, rest assured your petition will be read. Now, good day. I thank thee. 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. Well, Marshall, what now? Nothing. Nothing at all. But he's going to read that petition. Of course 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 him. 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? Gentleman from Massachusetts? I have a petition to read. This is a petition asking for the abolition of slavery. No, not another one. No. The gentleman from Massachusetts has the floor. Go ahead, sir. Thank you, sir. This petition quotes the Declaration of Independence that all men are created free and equal. Will the gentleman from Massachusetts yield for a question? I yield for a question. I should like to know his views on slavery. My views, sir, are of no consequence. I am here solely to serve the people of this country. My 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. Will the gentleman from 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. Mr. Speaker? Mr. Speaker? I do not have a right to a petition. I demand to be heard. It's my right to be heard. There's a motion before the House. And I have the right to speak against it. 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 of that privilege, and next a free press will be denied. And then free speech will be denied. And in the end, we shall lose all our liberty. There shall be no more. It has been moved and seconded that the House reject without reading all petitions regarding slavery. Those in favor? Aye. Those opposed? No. The motion is carried and is so ended as Rule 25. The resolution just passed is 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. Adams. And I'll fight it until my dying breath to have such a gag rule wiped out. Week after week, 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. The gentleman from Massachusetts is out of order. Mr. Adams forgets there is a rule against reading that petition. The gentleman from Massachusetts knows Rule Number 25 prohibits this petition. I have a petition against slavery. Out of order! Out of order! Out of order! I watched him tiring. I saw the lines on his face deepen, the shadows under his eyes darken. Then one night... Louisa? Is that you? Yes, John. Do you know what time it is? Time? No, I don't think I do. It's almost light outside. You've been working all night. I didn't notice. There's so much to be done, so much. Stop for a while, John. Please. I can't, my dear, I can't. 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, they're... 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. No. John, how many of these have you received? Oh, now, now, now, the writers, it just cranks. They hate you. Not enough for that. They do. Oh, 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. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you. 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Our Constitution is 160 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. Aboard are scores of priceless documents which you've created and which guarantee our American freedoms. 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. Back in 1885, Belva Lockwood, 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 Belva Lockwood, 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's 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. The DuPont cavalcade of America came to you from Hollywood. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.
