Richmond palladium., 1839-04-06


He admits that political parties are wiling to u
mite with them any class of men, IN order to car
rv their purposes. Are abohtonists. then. TO
blame If they pursue the same course! II seems
the Senator is willing that his party should make
use Of even abolitio1,sts; but he is not willing
that abolitionisis should use the same party tor
their purpose. This seems not to be IN acco--
dance with that equality of rights about which
we heard so much at the last session Aboli-
;ionsts have nothing to fear. If public opinion
should be for them. politicians will be around and
amongst them thick and as NOISY as the ocusis
of Egypt. The Senator seems to admit that II
the Aboltionsls joined 10 either polite II par
ty, there is dangeT-Ianger of what! That hl-
maniiv and Justice will prevail? that the rlrht
Of petition will be secured to all equally' and
that the long lost and roddon African race will be
r. stored to their natural rights! Would the
Senator regret 10 see this accomplished by argu-
ment persua sion, and the force OF an enlightened
public opinion9 ! nope not; and these petition
ers ask the of no other weapons IN this war
fare
! The ultra-aJoli,o1ists, says the Senator, -
woke the power Of this government Tt.eIf att.
! Aud pray, sir what power should trey infoS@
Have they not the same right to approach u HIS
government as other men? Is the Senator Or
this body authorized to deny them any privileges
secured other citizens? Ii so, let him show nc
the charter Of his power ana will be silent
sustain them, as d. other citizens. The exer-
else Of power by Congress IN behalf OF the
slaves within fins District, the Senator seems
to think, no one without the District has the
| least claim to ask for. Ii Is because | reside
without the District, and am called within II hy
the Constitution, that object to the existence Of
slavery here. | deny the gentIemans position,
then on this point On this, then we are equal
The Senator howevor, is at war with hinsef-
He contends the cesslon by the States Of Virgin
in and Mary land was to establish q seat OF Iov-
ernment only, and to give TO Congress whatever
power was necessary to render the District
valuable and comfortable situation for ,nat pur-
pose. and that Congress have full power to do
Whatever is necessary for this District; and #
to abolish slavery be necessary, to attain the OBJ
iect. Congress have power to abolish slavery IN
The District | am | quote tha gentleman
substantially; and thank him for this precious
confession in his argument: it is what believe,
and know it is all feel disposed to ask. If we
can, then, prove that this District is not as COM
Portable and convenient place for the delibcra-
tions of Congress, aud the comfort o. our citizens
" ho NAV visit it, while slavery exists here. as 1t
would be without slaver then slavery ought TO
be abolished; and trust we shall have the DIS
tinguished Senator from Kentucky to aid us IN
this great national reformation. take the Sena-
tor at his word. agree with him that this ought
to be such a place as he has dcsc.Ibed bat de-
nv that it is so. And upon what facts do rest
nv denial? We Il Christian nation, a moral
and religious people. | speak for the free States
at least for my own State; and what contrast
does the verv streets of your capital daily pre-
sent to the Christianity and morality of the ma
ton? race of slaves, or at least coiored per-
sons of every hue, from the Jet black African,
in regular gradation, up to almost pure Anglo
Saxon color Daring the short time Official duty
has called me here. have seen the really red
haired. the freckled, and the almost white negro:
and have been astonshed at the numbers of the
mixed race when compared with those OF iull
color, and have deeply depored this stain upon
na,,onal morals: and The words of DR.. Claiming
have thousands of times, been Impressed on my
mind, that 'a slave country reeks with licentious-
uess.'' How comes this ama!gainalon of the
races? 1t comes from slavery. 1t IS Disagree
able annoyance to persons who come from the Tree
States especially to their Christian and moral
feelings. 1t is great hndrance to proper dis
charge of their duties while here. Remove sia- /
very from this District, and this evil Will disap- 7
pear. We argue this circums stance alone as suffi-
cent cause to produce that effect. But slavery
presents within the District other and more aP- (
DaIlinr scenes-scenes we'll calculated TO awaken
the deepcst emotions of the human heart The
slave trade exists here in all its HORRORS, and un
vhipped of all its crimes. In view of the very
chair which YOU now occupy, Mr.. President, If
the massv walls of this building did not prevent
it. YOU could see the prison, the per, the HI,
where human beings, when purchased for sale,
are kept until a cargo can be procured for trans
,ortation to a Southern. foreign market. tor l
have little doubt slaves are carried 10 Texas tor
SALE though do not know the fact.
Sir, since Congress have been IN session,
mournfu group of these unhappy beings, some
thirty OF forty, were marched as If 10 derIs'on OF
members of Congress, in view OF your Capitol.
chained and manacled together, III open daylight,
N the verv face of heaven itself. to be shipped
A. Baltimore for foreign market did not wit
ness this cruel :rapsacton, but speak from what
have heard and believe. Is this District. then,
, fit place for our deliberations, whose feelings
are outraged with impunty with transactions like
this? Suppose, sir, that mourntu and degrading
spectacle was at this moment exhibited under the
" indows of orr chamber, do you think the Sen.
,te could deliberate. could continue with that
,omposure and attention which see around me?
No. sir; all YOUR powers could not preserve order
or 4 moment, The feelings of humanity would
y crcome those Of regard for the peculiar ipstitu-
ions of the States; and though we would be Po-
i;callv and legally bound not to interfere, we are
lot morally bound to withhold our sympathy, and
,ur execra,inn in witnessing such nhuman traffic.
This traffic alone in this District, renders 1t an
and unfit place for your seat OF ,
Government Sir. IL Is but one or two years since
saw standing at the railroad depot, as passed
rom nv boarding house this chamber, some
arue wagons and teams. as II waiting Tor freight;
trf