Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-03-05
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
Speech of Mr.. Clay,
On the subject OfABOLITON Petitions.
THuRsnAY. 81. Z. Iaaa-

and House of Representatives Of the Uni
ted States, which | wish to present TO the
Senate. 1t is signed by several hundred
Of the inhabitants of the District of Co.
lumbia, and chiefly Of the city of Wash
ington. Among them I recognise the
name of the highly esteemed Mayor o.
the city, and other respectable uames
some Of which are personally and vel
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 consideration Of
Congress by inconsiderate and misguided
individuals in other parts Of the United
States. They state that they do not de.
sire the abolition Of slavery within the
District, even if Congress possess the We.
ry unquestiOnable power Of abolishing it,
without the consent of the people whose
interests would be Immediately and d.
rectly affected by the measure: that it is a
question solely between the people of the
District and their only constitutional lie.
gislature, purely municipal, and one in
which no exterior influence or interest can
justly interfere; that, if at any future peri.
cd the people Of the District should de-
sire the abolition of slavery within 1t, they
will doubtless make their wishes known,
when it will be time enough to take the
matter into consideration that they do
not, on this occasion, present themselves
TO Congress because they are slave-hol.
ders-many Of them are not-some Of
them are conscientiously opposed to slave.
ry- 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 con.
;inued agitation of the question by those
who have no right to interfere with it, has
an injurious influence on the peace and
tranquility Of the community, and upon
the well.being and happiness of those who
are held in subsection they finally pro.
test as well against the unauthorized inter.
vention Of which they complain a. against
any legislation on the part Of Congress in
compliance Herewith. But, as I wish
these respectable petitioners to be them.
selves heard, Irequess that their petition
bo ~oad. tIs-,tas rs,,d eeoosdinsisf, and
Mr.. Clay proceeded I I am informed BY
the committee which requested me to Of
fer.this petition, and believe, that it ex
presses the almost unanimous sentiments
of the people of the District of Columbia
The performance of this service affords
me, said Mr.. c. a legitimate oppoItuni
ty, of which, with the permission of th,
Senate, / mean now 10 avail myself, 70 say
something, not only on the particular OBJ
iects of the petition, but upon the grea
and interesting subject with which it is in
timately associated.
1t is well known to the Senate, said Mr.
Clay, that have thought that the most ju
dicious course with abolition petitions ha
not been of late pursued by Congress.
have believed that il would have been wi
sest to have received and referred them
without opposition and to have reported
against their object in calm and dispas
siOnate ergumentative appeal to the goO'
sense Of the whole community. It ha
been supposed, however, by majority O
Congress that il was most expedent eithe
rot TO receive the petitions at all, or,
formally received, not 10 act definitely up
on thl m. There is no substantial differ
enee between these opposite opinions
since both look to an absolute rejection {
the prayer of the petitioners. But ther
is a great difference in the form of pre-
ceeding; and, Mr. President, some el
perience in the conduct of human affair
has taught me to believe that neglect t
observe established forms is often attend
ed with more mischeVious consequence
than the infection Of positive injury. W
all know that, even in private life, VIC
lation Of the existing usages and cerenC
MES Of society cannot take place withot
serious prejudice. fear, sir. that the abb
litionists have acquired considerable al
parent force by blending with the objc'
which they have in view a collateral an
totally different question arising out of q
alledged violation Of the right of petitioE
| know full well, and take great pleasul
in testifying, that nothing was remote
from the intention Of the majority Of Il
Senate, from which | differed, than to VIZ
late the right Of petition in any case
which, according to its Judgment, tn
right could be constitutionally exercise
or where the object of the petition cou
be safely or properly granted. Still,
must be owned that the abolitionists han
seized hold of the fact Of the treatnlel
z which their petitions have received
i Congress, and made injurious impression
upon the miBdsof large portion Of q
community. This, think, might ha'
been avoided BY the course which lshou
have been glad to have seen pursued.
( And / desire now, Mr.. President
advert to some Of those topics which
think might have been usefully emhodll
i I'm a report BY COMMITTEES Of the Senal
land which am persuaded, would ha
checked the progress, If il had not Ill
Y pethsr arrested the efforts. Of abolition.
: an sensible, ST, than this work Uot
{ nave been accomplished with Iaocl grsl
! er ability and with much happier elfs
7 under TIE auspicesof aeommiltee, thaa
y can IS ~ me, But anxious g plgg
am 70 contribute whatever IS e my Pow
70 fns harmony, CONGO and hpppins
az this great people, I feel myself irrsz
! fibly impelled e Do whatever s q
4 power, incompelent A / feel myself -
a q dissuade tie public from continuing
q ogitaia q subject iraught with the g
Y difelu conseq 1ce
ss three classes 81 persons
"a