Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-02-22

iiiion Petitions.
sMr. Clay, Of Kentucky, rose 10 present a
petition, and said-l have received, Var. Pre-
sident, petition 10 the Senate and House Of
Representatives OF the United States, which
INsh to present TO the Senate. 1t is signed
~ several hundred inhabitants of the Dis
,rict of Columbia, and chiefly of the city OF
Washington. Among them | recognize the
name OF lhc 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 District Of
Columbia continues to be pressed upon the
4 consideration of Congress by inconsiderate
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 il Congress possess the very
questionable power OF abolishing il, without
The consent Of the people whose interests
would be Immediately and directly affected
by the measure that it is question solely
between the people of the District and their
only constitutional Legislature purefy mu-
ficipal, and one in which no exterior infu-
ence or interest can justly interfere that, il
At any future period the people OF this Dis
trict should desire the abolition of slavery
within il, they will doubtless make their
wishes known, when il will be time enough
10 take the matter into consideration; that
lhey do not, on this occasion. present them
ELVES to Congress because they are slave
holders--many Of them are not-some OF
hem are consceniously opposed to slavery
but they appear because they justly respect
Be rights Of those who own that description
OF property, and because they entertain a
deep conviction that the continued agitation
z Of the question by those who have no right
10 interfere with it, has an injurious inhu-
ence on the peace and tranquility OF the com.
muni,y, and upon the well being and happi.
ness Of those who are held in subsection ;
they finally protest as well against the unau-
thorized intervention of which they com.
plain, as against any Legislation on the part
OF Congress in compliance Herewith. But.
as l wish these respectable petitioners 10 be
themselves heard, ! request that their petit
ton may be read. Ill was read according
w. and MIR. Clay proceeded am inform
ed by the committee which requested me to
of1er this petition, and believe, that il express
= the almost unanimous sentiments oil the
ocople oil the Diss-.-. ~f Eainmbla
g'be performance OF this service affords
me, said Mr.. c. legitimate opportunity Of
which. with the permission oil the senate
mean now TO avail myself, TO say something
notonly on the particular objects oil the pc
tiiion, but upon the great and interesting
subject with which it is intimately ASSOCIATE
a ed.
IN II is well known to the Senate; said Mr.
y CLAY, that have thought that The most Ju
dicious course with abolition petitions has
not been of late pursued by Congress
have believed that it would have been wses
ID have received and referred them, without
EXPOSITION, and to have reported against thell
object in calm and dispassionate and argu
fsientative appeal to the good sense oil The
,xbole community. II has been supposed
however, by majority of Congress that .
was most expedient either not to receive The
pestions at all. or. if formerly received, no
soact definitely upon them. There is nc
Substantial difference between these Opposite
oninions, since both look TO an absolute relec
lion of the prayer of the petitioners Blu
tbere is a great difference in the form OF pro
ceeding; and, Mr.. President, some expert
ence in the conduct of human affairs ha:
tatght me to believe that neglect to 90
serye established forms is often attended witt
r more misc hieyous consequences than the IN
fiction of positive injury. We all know
4 that even ia private life, vololion of M
existing usages and ceremonies OF soclet,
cannot take place without serious prejudice
Ifear, sir, that the aboitionists have acquired
4 considerable apparent force by bendins
With the object which they have in view
<ollatera and totally different question arts
ne out of an alleged violation OF the right o
peiiton. know full WELL and take grea
peasure in teslifying. that nothing was re
n,oter from the intention of the majority o
the Senate, from which differed, than Y
violate heright Of petition in any case which
Recording to its judgment that right coni'
Be constiluionally exercised, or where tn
object of the petition could be safely or pro
\ nerly granted. Still, il must be owned lha
HE aboIilionisis have seized hold of the fac
d the treatment which their petitions hav
Received in Congress- and made injuriou
I Impressions upon the minds OF large POI
! bon ofthe community This, Think. nigh
4 have been avoided by the course which
Should have been glad to have seen pursued
And desire now, Mr.. President to nc
Vert 10 some Of those topics which | thin
high. have been usefuly embodied IN a :,
port bya committee ofthe Senate. and whici
/ Il j am persuaded, would have checked IN
progress if it had not altogether arresle
Bhe efforts of abolition | am sensible. 81
4tat this work would have been accomplish
4 Al. l.. 10 a ufhl m n