The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-03-23
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SPEECH OF MIR. MORRIS,
OF OHIO,
In Senate, February 8, 1889.

MIR. PRESIDENT l rise 10 present W TIE tol
sideration of the Senate, numerous peutons sign
ed not only by citizens OF my own s'ate' out GU
zens of several other states, New York, Pennsyl
yania, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. These
petitioners, amounting in number to several thou
Sands, have thought proper to make me their or
gan in communicating to Congress their opinions
and wishes on subjects which, to them, appear oil
the highest Importance These petitions, sir, are
on the subject of slavery, the slave trade as car
lied on within and from this District, the slave
trade between the different states of this confedera-
CIV, between this country and Texas and against
the admission of that country into this Union and
also against that of any other state, whose consti-
tuition and laws recognize or permit slavery.
take this opportunity to present all these petitions
together, having detained some of them for a con-
siderable time in my hands, in order that as small
portion of the attention of the Senate might be
taken up on their account as would be consistent
with strict regard to the rights of the petitioners
And now present them under the most peculiar
circumstances that have ever probably transpired in
this or any other country. present them on the
heel of the petitions which have been presented by
the Senator from Kentucky MIR. Clay] singed by
the inhabitants of this District, praying that Con-
gress would not receive petitions the sub ject of
slavery in the District from any body of men, or
citizens, but themselves. This is something new !;
it is one of the devices of the slave power and
most extraordinary in itself. These petitions
am in duty bound to present-a duty which l
cheerfully perform, for consider it not only du
ty but an honor The respectable names which
these petitions bear, and being against practice
which as deeply deprecate and deplore as they
can possibly do, yet well know the fate of these
petitions; and | also know the time, place, and
disadvantage under which present them In
availing myself of this opportunity to explain my
own views on this agitating topic, and to explain
and justify the character and proceedings of these
petitioners, it must be obvious to all that am sur
rounded by no ordinary discouragements. The
strong prejudice which is evidenced by the petit
TONERS of the District the unwillingness of the
Senate to hear, the power which is arrayed against
me on this occasion, as well as in opposition to
those whose rights | am anxious to maintain op-
posed by the very lions of debate in this body who
are cheered on by an applauding gallery and sur
rounding interests is enough to produce dismay
in one far more able and eloquent than the lone
and humble individual who now addresses YOU.
What sir, can there be to induce me to appear on
this public arena opposed by such powerful odds
Nothing, sir, nothing but a strong sense of duty,
and deep conviction that the cause | advocate is
just; that the petitioners whom | represent are
honest, upright intelligent, and respectable cti-
zens; men who love their country, who are anx-
ious to promote its best interests, and who are ac-
tuated by the purest patriotism, as well as the deep
est philanthropy and benevoence. In represent
ing such men, and in such a cause, though by the
most feeble means, one would suppose that on
the floor of the Senate of the United States, or
der, and decent respect to the opinions of others,
would prevail. From the causes which have
mentioned, | can hardly hope. for this expect
to proceed through scenes which i'll become this
hall 1I1fp oth hall dptn mo from in
faithful discharge of my duty on this important
occasion. Permit me, sir, 10 remind gentlemen
that have now been six years member of this
body. have seldom, perhaps too Seldom In the
opinion of many of my constituents, pressed my
self upon the notice Of the Senate, and taken up
their time in useless and windy debate. ques-
ton very much if have occupied the time of the
Senate during the six years as some gentlemen
have during six weeks, or even six days. hope,
therefore, that shall not be thought obtrusive or
charged with taking up time with Abolition pc
titions. | hope, MIR. President, to hear no more
about agtating this slave question here. Who
has began the agitation now? The Senator from
Kentucky [Mr. Clay.l Who has responded to
that agitation, and congratulated the Senate and
the country on its results The Senator from
South Carolina, Mr.. Calhoun. And pray, sir,
under what circumstances is this agitation begun
Let it be remembered, let us recoect the facts
from the records on your table, that when |, as a
member of this body but few days since offered
resolution as the foundation of proceedings on
these petitions, gentlemen, as if operated by
electric shock, sprung from their seats and OBJ
jected to its introduction. And when you sir, de-
cided that it was the right of every member to in
troduce such motion or resolution as he pleased,
being responsible to his constituents and this body
for the abuse of this right, gentlemen seemed to
wonder that the Senate had no power to prevent
the action of one of its members in cases like this,
and the poor privilege of having the resolution
printed by order of the Senate, was denied.
Let the Senator from South Carolina before me,
remember that, at the last session, when he offered
resolutions on the sub Jet of slavery, thew were
not only received without objection, but printed,
voted, on and decided; and let the Senator from
Kentucky reflect that the petition which he offer
ed against right was also received and order
ed to be printed without single dissenting voice
and call on the Senate and the country to remem-
Der that the resolutions which have offered on
the same subject have not only been refused the
printing, but have been laid on the table without
being debated or referred. Posterity, which shall
read the proceedings of this time, may well won
der what power could induce the Senate of the U.
to proceed Such