The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1839-02-16
SPEECH OF Mr.. CLAY,
On the subject Of Abolition Petitions.
In SENATE, Thursday, February 7, 1899.

In SENATE, Thursday, February 7, 1899.
Mr. CLAY Kentucky, petition and sd have
Of the United States which wish present to the Senate 4 is signed
several hundred inhabitants Of the po. Of Columbia and chiefly
esteemed Mayor city, and other respectable of which
subec. abolition of slavery Columbia
be pressed the consideration of by ana ms
desire slavery within the District Congress
of the people whose Interests wou Immediately directly
the that question solely between the people Of the Ds,
nod The neon Of Ibis District should desire the abolition Of slavery within
they will doubtless make their wishes known enough
take the matter into considerations that they do not on this OCCASION
them consceniouy opposed saveyhu
They appear they Justly the g ,sn oe no Gm" %
continued of the question by those who have no right interfere
mu and the welbeng and happiness of those VIII" held in
sneon they finally well against the unauthorized intervention
compliance wish these respectable petitioners be
themselves heard that their petition may be read was read
which requested offer this petition and believe that the
The performance Of this service Affords me- said Mr. c. legitimate OPP
poru n.y. OF which, with the permission of the Senate mean now to
but the and interesting subject with which intimately
It'll we'll known the Senate said Mr. Clay that have thought that the
ucos petitions has been of late pursued
them opposition, reported against
their object calm and dspae and appeal the good
o of Congress- that was mos, expn eter 10 receive the e
lions all formally received dedntiv y upon them
There substantial difference between these opposite
rejection prayer the petitioners. But
experience il ne conduct Of huaan Affairs taught
that neglect observe established forms is often attended with mis-
than the infection of positive injury We all know
that life violation Of the existing and ceremonies
Gi ho take place without force ' s n' wine the
object which they have collateral and totally different question:
WE'LL and take great pleasure ,esng nothing from the
intention Of the Of the Senate from which differed than to VIC
mat right could be cosuon exercised where the object Of the Pc,
tons have received Congress- and made injurious upon the
avoided by glad pursued
And desire Mr. President advert of those topics which
Senate and which, persuaded would have checked the
accomplished greater ability and
Win m" happier effect under the auspices Of committee than can be
the harmony concord and happiness Of this great people, Se myself
myself to be- to suae the public from continuing atate subject
! raMght with the most dieu consequences
on"ued o slavery e G%sd s Ts are
mho from sentiments Of philanthropy and humanity are
Ge to any disturbance Of the peace and tranquility Of the Union or the
this class be eompeended peaceful and exemplary society
Friends Of whose established maxims adherence
The class apparent having
rate with the aboos for the sole asserting and indicating
that right And the third class the real Who
solved in the Of their hazards and without
regard however eamtous they be- Wlhhem the
pGn nye nas the M the the %
States nothing civil dissolution the Union and the overthrow
nothing single has taken of their minds and
onward they pursue overlooking all barriers reckless and regardless Of
all consequences With this class the immediate abolition slavery the
District of Columbia and in the Territory of Florida the prohibition the
removal OF slaves from State the refusal admit
State comprising within its limits the of domestic slavery but
condncng the accomplishment of the ultimate but perus
lend at which they vo"ed and boldly but short
IN the long and bloody road the distant goal which they would finally
ARRIVE Their Abolition universal abolition, peaceaby if
rcby Their object longer concealed by the ncs
veil; it avowed and proclaimed Utterly destitute of constitutional
other rgtu living totally distinct communities alien tho
communities in which the subject which they would operate resides
m as CONCERNS political power over I'at subject as If they lived in Africa
manu forthwith and without compensation and without moral
uol three millions Of slaves under jurisdictions altogether
from those under which they live. have said that immediate abolition
slavery in the District of Columbia and Territory Florida
important end. Unfortunately, they the only Auo
er ana much anenae that which ndeavong
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