The Rodney telegraph. (Rodney, Miss.) 1838-1840, 1839-03-16
SPEECH OF MIR. CLAY,
On the subject of Abolition Petitions

On the subject Of Abolition Petitions.
Mr. CLAY, of Kentucky, rose to pre-
sent petition, and said: have received,
Mr.. President, petition to the Senate and
Heuse of Representatives of the United
States, which | wish to present to the Sc
nate. 1t is signed by several hundred of the
inhabitants of thu District of Columbia, and
chiefly Of the city of Washington. Among
them recognise the name of the highly es-
teemed Mayor of the city, and other re-
spectacle names, some of which are per-
sonally and we'll known to me. They ex-
press their regret that the subject of the alb
clifton Of slavery within the District of Co.
lumbia continues to be pressed upon the con-
sideration of Congress by inconslderate and
misguided individuals in other parts of the
United States. They state that they do not
desire the abolition Of slavery within the
District, even if Congress possess the very
unquestionable power Of abolishing it, with
out the consent Of the people whose inter-
ests would be Immediately and directly af-
fected by the measure; that is question
solely between the people of the District
and their only constitutional legislature,
purely municipal, and one in which no ex-
terror influence or interest can Justly inter-
fere; that, if at any future period the people
of this District should desire the abolition
OF slavery within it, they will doubtless
make their wishes known, when it will be
time enough to take the matter into consid-
Grafton; that they do not, on this occasion,
present themselves to Congress because
they are slave-hoAers-many of them are
not-some OF them conscientiously opposed
to savery-but they appear because they
justly respect the rights Of those who own
that description Of property, and because
they entertain deep conviction that the
continued agitation of the question by those
who have no right to interfere with it, has an
injurious influence upon the peace and tran
guilty OF the community, and upon the we'll
being and happiness. of those who are held
in subsection; they finally protest as we'll
against the unauthorized Intervention Of
which they complain, as against any legisla-
ton on the part Of Congress in compliance
herewith. But, as wish these respectable
petitioners to be themselves heard, Irequest
that their petition may be read. tit was
read accordingly and Mr.. Clay proceeded ]
| am informed by the committee which re-
quested me to offer this petition, and believe,
that it expresses the almost unanimous SEN
timents Of the people of the District Of Co
lumbia.
The performance of this service affords
me. said Mr.. c. a legitimate opportunity, OF
which, with the permission of the Senate,
mean now to avail myself, to say something,
not only on the particular objects of the pc
tition, but upon the great and interesting
subject with which it is intimately associa-
ted.
1t is well known to the Senate, said Mr..
Clay, that have thought that the most iu-
diclous course with abolition petitions has
not been of late pursued by Congress.
have believed that it would have been wi
sest to have received and referred them,
without opposition, and to have reported a.
gainst their object in calE, and dispassion.
ate argumentative appeal to the good sense
of the whole community. 1t has been sup
posed, however, by majority of Congress
that it was most exped,ent not to receive the
petitions at all, or, if formally received, moi
to act definitely upon them. There is nc
substantial difference between these oppo
site opinions, since both look to an absolute
rejection of the prayer Of the petitioners
But there is great difference in the form
of proceeding; and, MIR. President, some
experience in the conduct of human affairs
has taught me to believe that neglect tt
observe established forms is often attended
with more mischievous consequences thar
the infection of a positive injury We al
know that, even in private life, violation
LOT the existing usages and ceremonies Of SO
ciety cannot take place without serious pre-
Ijudice. fear, sir, that the abolitionists have
acquired q considerable apparent force BY
offending with the object which they have ii
view collateral and tally different ques
ton arising out of an allie dyed violation o
the right of petition. know full we'll, ant
take great pleasure in testify Ing, that nothing
was remoter from the intention of the ma
Ijority of the Senate, from which / differed
than to violate the right Of petition in any
case in which, accordingly to its judgment
that; light could be constitutionally exercised
or whether the object Of the petition coult
be safely or properly granted. Still, It mus
be owned that the abolitionists have seizet
hold Of the fact ofthe treatment which theil
petitions have received in Congress, ant
made injurious Impressions upon the minds
of large portion of the community. This
think, might have been avoided by the
course which should have been glad 4
have seen pursued.
And desire now, Mr.. President, to id
vert to some Of those topics which thinl
might have been usefully embodied in re
port by q committee Of the Senate, ard