Richmond palladium., 1839-04-06
SPEECH OF MR.. MORRIS, OF OHIO,
In Senate, Feb. ., 1889.
Mr.. President:


rise to present for the consideration Of the
Senate numerous petitions signed by not only
citizens Of my own State, but citizens OF sever
nj other States, New York, Pennsy ylvania, Mich
iran, Illinois, and Indiana. These petitioners,
amounting in number to several thousand, have Il
Thought proper to make me their organ, IN
communicating TO Congress their opinions and
wishes on subjects which, TO them, appear Of the
highest importance. These petitions, sir, on
the subject Of slavery, the slave trade as Carried
on within and from this District, the slave trade
between the different States Of this Confederacy, !
between this country and Texas, and against !
tho admission Of that country into the Union, and
also against that Of any other State, whose con-
stitution and laws recognize or permit slavery
take this opportunity to present al hese Pc
titions together, having detained some OF them
for q considerable time in my hands. IN order J
that ~ small n portion Of the attention of the
Senate might bo taken up on their account as
would be consistent with strict regard to the
righ's Of the petitioners. And ! now present
them untsr the most peculiar circumstances
chat nave ever probably transpred in this or any
other country. l present them on the heel of
the petitions which have been presented by tho
Senator from Kentucky Mr. Clay] signed by
the inhabitants Of this District, praying that
Congress would not receive petitions on the sub
iect Of slavery in the District, from any body of
men or citizens, but themselves This IS some
thing new; it is one of the devices Of the slave
power, aud most extraordinary in itself. These
petitions am bound in duty TO present. duty
which ! cheerfully perform for ] consljer it not
only duty but a honor. The respectable names
which these petitions bear, and being against
practice which as deeply deprecate and depl"re
rs 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 avuiling myself OF this opportunity to explain
my own views this agitaing topic, and to ey-
plain and Justify tie character and proceedings
Of fhesa net 1
that / am surrounded with no ordinary discour-
agements. The strong pref idice which Is eyin-
ccd by the petitioners of the District, the IN
willingness Of the Senate to hear, the power
which is arrayen against me on this OCCASION, as
in opposition TO those whose rights am anxi" 3
10 maintain; opposed by the very IONS OF debate
in this body, who cheered on by applaud
ing gallery and surrounding interests, Is enough
~ produce dismnv in one far more able and eo-
quen, than the lone and humble individual who
addresses YOU. What, sir there be to
induce me TO appear o this public arena, opposed
by such powerful! odds? Nothing, sir nothing
but q strong sense OF duty, and deep convic-
tion that the cause advocate is just; ,hat the
petitioners whom represent honest, up
right intelligent, aud respectable citizcns; men
who love their country, who arc ANXIOUS 10 pro-
mote its best interests, and who are actuated by
3he purest patriotism, well as the deepest
philanthrophy aud b2nevocnce. In representing
such men, and in such cause, though by the
most feeble means, would suppose that or
tho floor of tho Senate Of the United States, or
der, and decent respect 10 the opinions OF 9th
crs, would prevail. From the causes which
have mentioned, l can hardly hope for this.
expect 10 proceed through scenes which III he
como this Hall but nothing shall deter me from
full and faithful discharge o. my duty on this i'm
portant occasion. Permit me sir. TO remn
penllemen that l have been SIX years
member of this body. have seldom, perhaps t
seldom, in the opinion of many of my cons,Ifu
ents pressed my self upon the notice of the Sen
ate, and taken up their time IN windy debate
l question very much if have occupied th
time Of the Senatc during the six years som
gentlemen have during six weeks,
DAYS. l hope, therefore, that | shall not bt
thought obtrusve, charged with taking m
timo with abolition petitions. ! hope. Mr.
President, to hear no more about agitating thi
slave question here. Who has begun the agita
ton now? The Senator from Kentucky, Mr.
C,ayl Who has responded to tina, agitation
and congratulated the Senate and the country OF
its resultss The Senator from South Carolina
IMr. Calhounl And pray, sir, under what cir
cunstanccs is thus agitation begun? Let it b
remembered let us collect the facts from the re
cords on your table, that when I, as n member O
this body, but few DAYS since, offered a resou
ton as the foundation of proceedings ihcs
petitions, gentlemen. as if operated on by .
'ectric shock. sprung from their seats and ubiec
ted TO its introduction. And when you, sir, de
cIded that it was the right of every member
introduce such motion resolution as he plea
Ell. being responsible Ia his constituents an
this toey for the ;use OF this right, genticme
seemed 10 woader that the Senate had no pow
erto prevent the action of one of It's member
IN cases like this. and tho poor privilege of ha,
ing the resolution printed by order Of the Scnat
was denied.
Let tho Senator from South Carolina beEDr
me. remember that, Mt the last session. when h
offered resolutions on the subject OF slavery, the
were not only received without objection. b,
printed; voted on. and decided and let the Sci
II ator from Kentucky reflect that the petitio
which he offered against right was also r.
ceivcd and ordered to be printed without sin gl
dissenting voice; and call on the Senate an
81 the country 10 remember that the resolution
which have offered the same subject hav
not only been refused the printing, but hay
oeen lam upon the table without being debate
or feterred Posierity, which shall read the pr,
eeeo'ngs ot this time, NAV well wonder VIII,
power could induce the Senate Of tho Unite
states TO proceed IN such strange and con,r;
daciory manner Permi, me TO tell the countr
ssw what this power behind The throne, create
Hh the throne itself, is. 1t ia the power I