State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-02-02
CONGRESS-.
MR.. SHADES SPEECH.
[Concluded.l


But the petitioners are here met with
another objection to granting the prayer of
these petitions. 1t is made a question of
public safety. TO begiu the work of abol-
ishing slaAery, and to Danish the detestable
trrtfic in human flesh from this District
will, we are told, tend to excite n spirit of
instruction in the Southern States and
gentlemen give full rein to their imBgina-
tons in depicting the horrors of rape ,rapine,
and murder which will follow. ] do not
permit myself to doubt the perfect sincerity
of gentlemen in these gloomy foibodings.
know they are in position to see what
cannot see, and feel what | cannot feel.
will not allow myself to triffle with their
views or feelings on this subject, though
must be permitted to doubt the correctness
Of the one, and the business of the other.
And may | not well doubt? 1t is true
do not profess a very familiar acquaintance
with the disposition of the slave population
or the probable influence upon them of Il
discussion OF, and action upon, this subject.
And while would hesitate to oppose my
own individual opinion to the assertions of
honorable gentlemen, so confidently made,
they mutt permit me to confront them, not
altogether with my own opinions, but with
the authority of intelligent and respectable
shareholders themselves.
hold in my hand a petition presented to
this House in the year 1898, signed by
more than eleven hundred citizens of this
District, praying for the abolition of slavery
and the slave trade within its limits. 1t was
referred to the Committee on the District
of Columbia, and remained Enacted on
until the last session, when it was called
mp, on motion Of an honorable member
from New Hampshire, Mr. Hubbard,) and
ordered TO be printed, with the names of
Of the signers. | send it to the chair, and
ask that it may be read by the Clerk.
Here Mr. Garland, of Virginia, nterposed,
and said he should object to the reading
of that and all other petitions on the sub
ject, unless ihe gentleman used it as part
of his argument.
Mr. Slade replied that he intended so to
use it, aud shoul2 read it himself, but,
being exhausted, he wished it read by the
Clerk.
Mr. Garland withdrew his objection, and
consented to the reading, as an act of cour-
.fesy to Mr. 5.
The petition was then read by the Clerk
as follows:
"Io the honorable the Senate and House Of
Representatives. Of the United States OF
.1nrerica IL, Congress assembled.
"We the undersigned, citizens of the
counties of Washington and Alexandria,
in the District of Columbia, beg leave to
call the attention of your honorable body
10 an evil of serious magnitude, which great
Jy impairs the prosperity and happiness of
this District, aud casts the reproach of in
consistency upon the free institutions estab-
lished among us.
awhile the laws of the United States
denounce the foreign slave trade as piracy,
and punish with death those who are found
engaged in its preparation, there exists in
this District, the seat of the National Gov
eminent, domestic slave trade scarcely
less disgracelul in its character, and even
more demoraliZng in its influence. For
this is not, like the former, carried on
against barbarous nation; its victims are
reared up among the people of this coun-
try, educated in the precepts of the same
religion, and imbued with similar domestic
attachments.
"Thesc people are, without their consent,
torn from their homes; husband and wife
are frequently separated and sold into dis
fant parts; children are taken from their
parents, without regard TO the ties of ma
ture, and the most endearlng bonds of af.
fection are broken forever.
"Nor is this traffic confined TO those who
are legally slaves for life. Some who are
entitled to freedom, and many who have g
limited time to serve, are sold into uncon,
litional slavery; and, owing to the defective
ness of our laws, they are generally
carried out of the District before the
necessary steps can be taken for their re
lease.
1--WE behold these scenes continual,
taking place among us, and lament our in
ability TO prevent them. The people o
this District have, within themselves, NJ
means of legislative redress; and W.
therefore appeal to your honorable body
as the only one invested by the American
Constitution with the power to relieve us.
"Nor is it only from the rapacity of slave
traders that the colored race in this Dis
trt are doomed to suffer. Even the law
which govern US sanction aud direct, il
certain cases, procedure that we believ,
is unparalleled, in glaring injustice, by an!
thing at present known among the Govern
: menis of Christendom. An instance of tn!
operation of these laws, which occurred
during the last summer, we will brief.
relate:
"a colored man, who stated that he wa
entitled to freedom, was taken up as a run
away slave, and lodged in the Jail O
Washington City. He was advertised, bu
no one appearing to claim him, he wa
according to law, put up ut public auction
for the payment of his Jail fees, aud sold a
a slave for life! lie was purchased by
slave trader, who was not required to Civ
security for his remaining in the Distric
and he was, soon after, shipped at AleXnr
drla for one Of the Southern Stntes. A
attempt was made by some beneyoler
individuals TO have the sale postponed IN