Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1839-02-18
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF Mn. CLAY,
On he subject Of abolition Petitions.
TuuRspAY, February :, 1889.


Mr.. CLAY, Of kentucky, rose to present petit
,iop aud said: have received, Mr.. President, n Pc
ti'ion to the Senate and House Of personalities OF
the United States. which | wish TO present to the
Senate II is signed by several hundred inhabitants
OF the District of Columbia. and chiefly of tie city
oil ashnCton. Among them recognise the name
of the highly esteemed Mayor of the city and other
respectable names, some Of which are personally and
well known to me. They express their regret that
the subject OF the abolition of slavery within the Dis
rict of Columbia, continues TO be pressed upon tho
consideration OF Congress by inconsidcrablr and
guided individuals IN other parts Of The United States.
They state that they Ito not desire the abolition oil
slavery within the District, even II Congress possess
the vcy questionable power OF aboshing it, wi,ho NJ,
the consent Of the people whose interests would be
Immediately and dir,ciy affected by the measure !;
tina, is question solely between the people of the
District and their only constitutional Legislature,
purely municipal, and one in which no exterior in
uence or interest can Justly interfere: thai, II nj
ny future period the people of this District should
desire the abolition of slavery within il, they will
doubtless make their wishes known, when il will be
time enough take the matter into conside ration
that they do not, on this occasion, present them.
selves 10 Congress because they are slave holders
| many OF them are not-somc of them are conscisn-
tiously opposed to slavery-hut they appear because
they justly respect The lights Of those who own that
description OF properly. and because the, entertain
deep conviction that the continued agitation Of the
question by those who have right 10 interfere
with H. has an injurious influence on the peace and
tranquility Of the community, and upon the we'll be-
ing and happiness Of those who are held in subcc-
ton; they finally protest rs well against The
thoIzcd Intervention Of which they complain as a.
gainst any legislation the part Of Congress in
compliance herewith But as | wish these re-
spectacle petitioners TO be themselves heard, re-
quest that their petition may be read Ii read
accordingly, and Mr.. CLAY proceeded. ! am in
formed by the committee which requested HE to Of
fer this petition, and believe that II expresses the
almost luminous sentiments Of the people OF the
District Of Columbia.
The performance Of this service affords me. said
Mr.. G. Il legitimate opportunity. Of winch, with the
permission Of the Senate, | mean avail my
self to say something, not only the particular
objects Of the petition, but upon the great and
interesting subject with which 1t IS intimately as
sociatcd.
Ii is well known to the Senate. said Mr. CLAY,
that have thought tia, the most judc,ous course
with ab lllIon petitions las not been OF late pursued
by Congress | have believed that II would have
been wsast to have received and referred them, with.
rut opposiuon aud TO have reported against their
objrtt IN calm and dspassiona,e and argumcnla-
tive appeal to The good sense OF the whole commu.
nifty. 1t has been supposed however. by majority
Of Congress that II was most expeditnt either not
receive the petitions at all or, II formally received,
not to act definitely upon them. There sno sub
sianal difference between these opposite opinions.
since both look absolute rejection of the prayer
of the petitioners. But there is great difference IN
the form Of proceeding; and, Mr. President. some
experience in the conduct Of human affairs has
tang believe that neglect TO observe alb
shcd forms is often attended with more mIschieyous
consequences than the inclon Of positive Jury.
We all know that. even in private lie. violation of
the existing usagcs and ceremonies oil society cannot
take place without serious pref udlce. fear, sir,
that the abolitionsts have acquired consider
able apparent force by blending with the object
which they have in view a collateral and totally dif-
ieent question arising out Of an alleged violation Of
the right OF petition. know full well, and take
great pleasure in testiiying that nothing was reno
ter from the intention of the majority oil the Senate,
from which differed, than to violate the right OF
petition ia any in which, according its judg-
ment, that right could be consiitutionay exercised,
or where the object OF the petition could be safely
properly granted. Sill, be owneG tina, the
abolionsts have seized hold OF the fact OF The
ment which their petitions have received in Con-
grcss, and made injurious impressions upon the
minds of a large portion Of The community. This.
think. might have been avoided by the course
which | should have been glad 10 have pur-
sued.
And desire now, Mr.. President, to advert to
some oflhose topics which think might have been
| uselully embodied in report by committee oil the
Senate, and which, | am persuaded. would have
| checked the progress, il il had not altogether ar
rested the efforts of abolition. ] am sensible. sir
that this work would have been accomplished with
much greater ability aud with much h'pper effect.
under the auspices ola committee, Than 1t can be by
me. But, anxious MS | always am 10 contribute
whatever is in my power 10 the harmony, concord.
and happiness OF lhis great people, feel myself IT.
re,stibly inpeed TO do Whatever is in my power, M
competent as feel myself to be, TO 'lissuade the
Public from continuing TO aeitatc SUBJECT iraughf
with the most direlul consequences
There arc three classes of persons opposed, or ap
parent,y opposed to the continued existence of sla
veyy IN the United STATES. The first those who,
from sentiments of philanthropy and humanity, are
eunscientiousy opposed 10 the existence Of slavery
but Who no less opposed. at the same time, 10
any disturbance Of tie peace and tranquility of the
Union, the Infringement Of The powers OF the
States composing the Confederacy. In this class
may be conlrrehended that peaceful aud exemplary
society of" Friends" one Of whose established max
ms is an adherence Of war in all its FORMS and the
cultivation Of peace and goodwill amongst mankind.
The next class consists Of apparent abolitionlsis
that is. those who, having been persuaded that the
right of petition has been violated by Congress, CO.
operate with the abooniss for the sole urpose Of
asserting and vindicang that right. And the third
class are the real ultra abouonlss. who are resol-
we'd to persevere in the pusul of their object at all
hazards, and without regard TO any consequences.
however caamitous they may be. With them the
rights of property are nothing the deficiency Of the
powers Of the General Government is nothing the
acknowlede ed and contesable powers of the States
are nothing civil war dissolution OF the Union,
and the overthrow OF government, in which are con
centrated The fondest hopes Of the civilized world,
arc nothing. A single idea has taken possession oil
their minds, and onward they pursue II, overlooking
ali barriers reckless and regardless OF all eonsequen
ces. With this class the immediate abolition o'
slavery in the District Of Coumbia and IN the er-
,,tory nf FLORIDA. the urohib of the removal oil