State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-03-22
Correspondence of the Boston Atlas.
MR. CALHOUN AND MIR CLAY ON
ABOLITION.
WashinrLon. March 9th

VdShngt0n, March 9TH.
This has been day of considerable in
terest in the Senate. Mr. Calhoun spoke
for two hours in support of his motion to
reject the abolition memorial offered by
Mr. Buchanan. Without branching off into
abstract specuIations upon the merits of
slavery, Mr. Calhoun directed the whole
force of his arguments to the question,
which he had raised with regard to the re-
lection ot'thc petition. lie maintained that
the rlaht of presentation was distinct from
that Of reception, and that it was an inva-
sion of the rights of the Senate to deprive
them OF the power Of deciding as TO the
propriety Of reception. If the rejection Of
this petition involved violation Of the
Constitution, then was the whole of this
discussion entirely out of order; for if it
were in order then was the question of the
reception of these petitions within the jul
risdiction of Congress. Mr. Calhoun argued
this point with much effect. His remarks
were characterized with their usual ingen-
uity and earnestness of delivery. lie closed
with an avowal of lis ardent attachment to
The Union, and his wish 10 see it perpetua-
ted hut the South would have TO sacrifice
the benefits of the great compact, if in its
maintenance not only the properly, but the
ately or remotely endangered.
MIR Clay followed MIR Calhoun, and came
out upon the great and momertous subject
before the Senate in the most fearless and
decided manner. lie wished that his
sentiments might be known, though he
would take another occasion, on which 10
express them more fully. lie was in favor
of receiving the petition. He regarded the
right of petition us antecedent 10 and para
mount TO the constitution itself He could
not recognize the distinction, which had
been made between the right of presenta-
ton and the right Of reception. The right
Of the people TO petition implied the cores
pondng duty on the part of the servants of
the people to receive and to consider. Mr.
Clay was not prepared to say that Congress
did not possess the power to abolish slave
~ in the District of Columbia OF the
incXpedicncy of that measure he entertain
ed no doubt. He could not 20 with some
of his southern friends in their views upon
the merits of slavery. He regarded slavery
as Il wrong, q grievous wrong; unjust to
those held in bondage, and oflentimes re-
Voting to those by whom they were so held.
Mr. Clay SAID he had ever maintained these
sentiments, and they were such as he trust
ed he should carry with him 10 his grave.
lie wished no party feeling or bias to min
gle in the consideration of this subject
CandOr and truth compelled him TO say,
that he believed there was on one side
disposition TO suppress little, and on the
other side TO eXaggerate. lie impugned no
ones motives. But there were certain great
subjects which we should approach uiin-
iluenced by party excitement. Such was
the subject Of the tariff, of the distribution
Of the public domain, of slavery, and Of
this blessed Union" under which we live
as one people great, prosperous and hap
by. Mr. Clay expressed his decided oppo-
siton to emancipation, either immediate or
gradual, in those States where the proper
tor of the blacks were so great as to in
cur the hazard Of their ultimate predomi-
nance over or amalgamation with the
whites. lie opposed their emancipation
out of sympathy to the distinct race to
which he belonged. He regarded the
blacks ms a subordinate and inferior race.
With respect to the abolitionsts, MrClay
looked upon their interference as unauhor-
ized, dishonorabe and Unjust. The slave
States occupied towards the free States,
precisely the position of foreign power
upon the subject of slavery. Mr.. Clay
commended that we of tho non-slaveholding
States had not the right 10 discuss the
question of slavery in The south, except as
we would any abstract philosophical pro-
position. For the right of discussion with
a view 10 action presupposes the right Of
decision, and that we did not possess.
After Mr. Clay concluded, the question
was taken upon receiving the abolition me-
mortal, and decided in the affirmative; i
Ie0s. Messrs Benton, Brown, Buchan-
an, Clay, Clayton, Crittenden, Davis, Ew-
ing of III. Ewing of Ohio, Goldsborough,
Grundy, Hendricks, Hin, Hubbard, Kent,
King Of Ala, King Of Ga Knight, Linn,