Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-03-06
gyN u q G g a p IT 0
BRANDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1899.

Let not the great length of the following speech
prevent its being read through, and thoroughly
Instead of following it with my own comments in
this paper-whch is already sufficiently filled on
the subject, with the speech ITSELF now think of
copying an examination Of it from the Emancipa-
tor, next week. | cannot here forbear, however,
TO call attention TO the awful perrerSeRess OF the
heart that could instigate such falsehoods as arc
here fTam.d against Abolitionists; and that could
harbor such sentiments here set forth, touch
ing system that involves all the highest crimes
which it is possible for man to commit against his
neighbor and his Creator If may be allowed
The use of single one Of his own words some
what after his own manner, will barely say it is
perfectly manifest that with him TRUTH mid
RIGHTEOUSNESS are NOTHING"
From the National Intelligenccr.
SPEECH OF FIR. CLAY,
On tIlc Subject OF Abolition Petitions.
THURSDAY, FEE. 7, 1899.
Mr.. CLAY, Of Kentucky, rose to pre-,
sent petition, and said: | Fave received,
Mr.. President, petition to the Senate
and House of Representatives ofthe. Unit
ed States, which | wish to present to the
Senate. 1t is signed by several hundred
Inhabitants Of the District of Columbia,
and chiefly of the city of Washington
Among them ISreco9nize the name of the
highly-estecmed mayor Of the city, and
other respectable names, some of which
are personally and we'll known to me-
They express their regret that the subject
OF the abolition Of slavery within the Dis
trict of Columbia continues 10 be pressed
upon the consideration of Congress, by
inconsiderate and misguided individuals
IN other parts OF the United States They
state that they 90 not desire the abolition
Of slavery within the District, even if Con-
gres possess the very questionable power
of aSoishing it, without the consent Of the
people whose interests would be immedi-
ately and directly affected by the meas
ure; that it is question solely between
the people of the District and their only
constitutional Legislature, purely NUM-
cipal, and one in which no exterior inAu-
ence or interest can justly interfere that.
If at any future period the people OF this
District should desire the abolition Of
slavery within it, they will doubtless make
their wishes known, when it will be time
enough TO take the matter mo considera-
ton that they do not, on this occasion,
present themselves to Congress because
they are stockholders of them are
not--some of them are conscientiouSly
opposed to slayery-but they appear be-
cause they justly respect the rights of
those who own tina. description of prop
erty, and because they entertain a deep
conviction that the continued agitation OIL
the question by those who have no right
10 interfere with il, has an injurious inAu-
cnce on the peace aud tranquility Of the
community and upon the we'll being and
happiness Of those who are held in sub
lection; they finally protest as we'll agains
the unauthorized intervention of which
they complain, as against any Legislation
on the part of Congress in compianc,
Herewith. But, as | wish these respect
abe petitioners to be themselves heard.
request that the petition may be read II
was read accordingly, and Mr.. Clay pro
ceeded.l | Am informed by the committe
which requested me to offer this petition
and believe, that it expresses the almos
unanimous sentiments Of the District {
Columbia.
The performance Of his service afford
me, said Mr.. G. a legitimate opportunity
of which, with the permission otth Ser
ale, l mean now to avail myself, 10 sa
something, not only on the particular OF
jects of the petition, bat upon the great an
interesting subject with which it is int
mately associated.
1t is well known to the Senate, said NJ
Clay that have thought that the mo
ludlcious course with abolition petiiio!
has not been Of late pursued by Congress
have believed that it would have be-
wlsest to have received and referred the.
without opposition, and to have report,
against their object in calm and dispa
siohale and argumentative appeal to Il
good sense OF the whole community.
mas Deen supposed, however, by maio
lty OF Congress that it was most exne,
ent either not TO receive the petitions at y
OF, II formally received, not to act d IF
lively upon them. There is no substa
tial difference between these opnos
opinions, since both look to an absol,
rejection Of the prayer of the petitione
But there is great difference in the 70
Oh proceeding; and, Mr.. President, so
experience In the conduct of human
ialrs has taught men to believe that NJ
leet to observe established forms is of
attended with more misehievous con
9uences than the infection of a post
we all know that, even in private j
violation of the existing usapes and
emonles OF society cannot take place w
OI'serious prejudice. fear. sir ,ba,
aOOl''ionlsts have acquired considera