Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1836-04-05
Congressional Debates.
MR. SHADES SPEECH

: :
fDcc. 22) on the motion q Mr.. Pauan Cor rccnn-
s'drru,ou of,he vote referring petition to obol.h
slavery ia the District Of C.lameia. to the commits
tee on the Dru,c;-
Nj Sl.ADE. seid he hj been charged by
large tnd respectable portion OF has constituents
with the duty of prcsruiitF memorials of SIM
lar Import To those under discussion, and for that
reason, IL fgf no other, he felt boun6 90 ask the
indulgence Of the house to a few Remarks.
lie approached toe subject he sad, ,i;h an op.
prcssi,e sense Of its msguiade auds ku,sying It's
exciting character Of The cat danger Of being
betrayed IN the progrcss o i,S discussion, ntu a
state Of feeling pusuted 10 tie place and the &C
cason. IL was subject ~ which he as well a.
hs constituents, felt most DEEPLY; aud he could ne-
thcr represent thcricelugs pr express his own,
without a plaiuess anC ditecuess which might gipe
offence. lie begged gcn,leurn 10 belie,e however
that he should say nothing Intended to give the
slightest personal offence toany; though hc should
without fear OF any, vindica the petitions aud as
sort the clams OF those in whose behalf they plead
Tie regretted to hear the nfmorilsts spoken of IN
debate intrujers, aud thar respectful petitions
upon subject Of great natnna Importance treated
as yeXatous inicrmeddng with concerns m
which they have no interests. Gentlemen must
have patience. These petitioners as far as he
was acquainted with then, were among the most
intelligent and respectable of the community IA
which they reside; wide the subject of their
petitions of which 1t we'll become them
to speak, and the Congress ufthe United States to
near.
The great purpose, sail Mr.. $. of most Of those
WHO had hitherto been spoken upon this subject,
-e'ns tu be To get nd otihe petitions. The gen
tieman from New York (Nr Bearisley) wishes
~.
seated, and 'uaiicd' the,,: ana YET he Is exceed
neiy, regarded CO.. tae 'sered rQnl of pcli,iunng,
winch must: on 10 account be impaired fae zen
llemen from 5. Caroline de>,rs, !ammond, Pick.
ems and lhumps1n) ase more consistent. Inv
profess 10 regard ne petitions dlsrespectful, 4ud
the petitioners o1ieio,s nleddlers with that winch
does not concern them They therefore would
have the petitions rejeded There is in this, the
merit, at least, of consistency, and the gentlemen
have my thanks for evIIr'ng disposition to meet
the question fairly. Asolher gentleman, my hon.
orc5lc friend from Massachusetts, (Mr. Adams)
would have the petitions committed 10 the Com
nitce on the District OF Colu ohIa'in lh.r words
TO use ms own slgnhclent, aud appropriute lungu-
age-tu have them consigned TO the family vault
OF all the Capuets;' and YET he, too, is Jealous Of
the sacred right of petition! The sacred right
Of leltion .--thal is 10 say, the sacred right Of
New York, or the Sacred right Of being gathered
by the gentleman from Mass. into the family vault
Of all the Capulets -
Sir, the petitioners well understand the nature
OF both these rights. The last they have long en-
ipyed, and desire to enjoy it no longer. They
want the action of Congress-: which, Judging from
the past they now to have II 1t is to
depend on the decisive action Of the committee on
the District of Columbia. | intend no disres peel
u that committee. TO continue t. do what has
been done That Is, 10 do nothing, would follow
/ Oh course commitment to them with an express
understanding that the petitions were consigned
/ to the tomb without the hope Of resurrection.
! sir, SAID Mr. 5. am IN favor Of tie prayer of
! the petitioners. | believe that Congress has
right to lcgislaie Oh the subject aud that the time
has come when It ought 10 legisiate. Something
has been suggested with regard to political oblects
connected with the presenting Of these Petitions
/ Sir, have no such object, nor do believe that
any such purpose exists 10 he minds of the petli-
oners. They moved BY spirit of philanthropy
aud deprecae the mngiing Of any considerations
/ Nth this question which uny tend 10 divert atien-
/ ton from its real merits.
/ Gentlemen, regret to say, seen willing TO
overlook The real object the petitioners, aud To
60 OFF into denunciatiuns Of "aO1lltionists' 10 The
end that the odIum winch has been attached to
their measures for affecting The abolition Of slavery
IA the States may be transformed To the exercise Of
an acknowledged right Of asking Congress to a
Dolish slavery ~ this district Bat "hat do the
petitioners ask at gu. hands why, sir simply
That measures may be taken TO pot al end to slave
~ here rad especially that here, where the flag Of
freedom floats over the capital Of this great rcpGb-
i'c, and where the authority OF that Republic s
.f me fl.sH ia no. gtI I-I