The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-10-10
SPEECH Of HENRY CLAY,
On ABOLITION PETITIONS,
Delivered IN the Senate of The United
States on The 7th Of February 1889.
Concluded.
On ABoLITIo


Concluded
But, Mr. President, will not detain the
Senate longer on the subjects OF slavery
within the District, and in Florida and OF
the right of congress 10 prohibit the ye-
movai of slaves from one state to another.
These, rs have already intmaled, with
ultra aboItionsts are but so many masked
batteries, concealing the real and ultimate
point of attack. That point OF attack is
the institution of domestic slavery as it
exists in these States. 1t is to ibera'e
three millions of slaves held in bondage
within them. And now allow me, sir, to
glance al the insurmountabe Obstacles
which lie in The way of the accomplish
ment of this end, and a; some of the cons
sequences which would ensue ii it were
possible to attain it.
The first impediment is the utter and
absolute want of all power on the part OF
the general government 10 effect the pur-
pose. The constitution Of the UnUel
States creates limited government, com.
prising comparatively few powers, and
leaving the residuary mass of political
power in the possession Of the several
Shles. II is wei! Known that the ubject
OF slavery interposed one Of the Creates
difficulties in the formation of The consti>
tuIion. Il was happily compromised and
adjusted in spirit Of harmony and pat
rioism. According 10 that compromise,
no power whatever was granted 10 the
general government in respgc! TO domes-
tic slavery, but that which relates 10 taxa.
ton and representation, and the power to
restore fugitive slaves TO tGeir Lawful own
ers. All Other power in regard TO the in
stltUtion Of slavery was retained CXclu.
sively by the states, to be exercised by
them severaIIy according 10 heir respect
i've views of their own peculiar interest
The constitution Of The United States
never could have been formed upon the
principle OF investing the genera govern
men, with authority 10 abolish the lnsitu-
ton at lis pleasure. 1t never can be con
tlnued for a single day If the exercise
OF such power be assumed or usurped.
But it may be coatended by these uI,
ira abo,i.ion$ls that their object is not 10
stimulate the action OF he general gov
ernmeut, but 10 operate upon the states
themselves in which The institution Of do
mes!c slavery exists If that be their
object, why are those abolition societies
and movements all confined TO The free
sates2 Whv are the slave states wan
lony and cruel,y assaileG Why do the
abolition presses teen with publications
leading to excite hatred and luminosity
on the plrI Of the inhabitants of the free
states against those OF the slave states ?
Why is congress pet,ioned? The fee
states have no more power or right 10 IN
terfere with Institutions in the slave
states. conhded 10 The exclusive jursIc,
ton Of those states than they would have
with institutions existing in any foreign
country. What would be thought of the
formation of societies in Great Britain,
the issue of numerous inaammatory pub
LEGATIONS, and the sending out of lecturers
throughout the kingdom denouncing aud
aiming at the destruction OF any Of the in
situtions of France? Would they be re-
garded as proceedings warranted by good
ueighborhoad ? Or what would be thought
ofthe formation Of societies IN the slave
states, The issue Of violent and inhlm-
matory tracts, and the deputation Of mis-
slonalles, pouring out imprisoned de.
nuncaLions against institutions under the
exclusive control Of the free States? Is
their purpose TO appeal TO our under
standings and TO actuate our humanity
And do they expect TO accomplish thai
purpose by holding US upto the scorI
and contempt and detestaton of the peo-
pie of the free states and the whole civil.
lied world2 The slavery which exists
among US is our affair, not theirs and
they have no more just concern with il
than they have with slavery as it exist:
throughout the world. Why not leave i
10 US as the common constitution of oul
country has left i! to be deal, with, under
the guidance of Providence, as best We
may or can!
The next obstacle in the way of aboli
ton arises out of the fact of The presenc,
in the slave states of three millions 0
slaves. They are there, dispersed through
out the land part and parcel of our pop
uIation. They were brought into III
country originally under he authority O
the parent government whilst we wer
colonies, and their importation was con
tinued in spite of all The remonstrance
of our ancestors. 1.-THE question, wer
an original question, whether, there ben
no slaves within the country, we Shout
introduce them, and incorporate them in
10 our society. that would be q totally d
ferent question. Few, if any, OF the eli
liens of the United States would I
found to favor their introduction. N
man in it would oppose, upon that supPt
sl'lon, their admission with more detel
mined resolution and conscientious r.
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