The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-10-03
Mr. CLAW spoke as follows

Mr. Clay spoke as follows:
| have received, Mr. President petit.
ton to the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatives of the United States, which l
wish to present to the Senate 1t is sign
ed by several hundreds OF the inhabitants
pflhe District OF Columbia and chiefly OF
the city of Washington. Among them l
recognize the name of the highly esteem
ed Mayor OF the city, and other respecla-
BILE names, some of which are personally
aud well known TO me. They express
their regret, that the subject of The aboIl-
ton of slavery within the District OF Co.
lumbia, continues to be pressed upon the
consideration of Congress by lnconslder-
a,e & Observation-Disclosures in other parts
of the United States. They state that they
do not desire the abolition of slavery with.
in the District even il Congress possesses
the very questionable power OF abolshing
il, without the consent of the people whose
interests would be immediatel y and direct
ly affected by the measure; that 1t is
question solely between the people OF the
District and their only Constitutional le-
gisature, purely municipal; and one in
which no exterior influence or interest can
Justly interfere; that il at any future period
the people of this District should desire
the abolition of slavery within il, they will
doubtless make their wishes known, when
it will be time enough TO take the matter
INFO consideration that they do not, on
this occasion, presen! themselves to Con-
gress because they are slaveholderS-ma'
nv of thea: are not; some Of them are
conscienliousIy opposed to sIayery-but
they appear because they justl y respect ME
rio hts of those who own that description
of property. and because they entertain
deem conviction that the continued agIta-
ton of the question by those who have no
right 10 Interfere with it, has an injurious
influence on the peace and tranquility OF
,he community, and upon the well being
and happiness of those who are held In
suhicc,lon; they finally protest as we'll a
painst the unauthorized investigation OF
which they complain, as against any le-
gisation on the part Of Congress in COM
piance Herewith. But, as wish these
respectable petitioners to be themselves
heard, request that their petition be read.
III was read accordingly, and MIR Clay proceeded
am informed by the committee which
requested me 10 offer this petition, and be-
leve, lha. it expresses the almost unanim.
GUS sentiments of the people of the Dis
,rict of Columbia.
The performance OF this service affords
me legitimate opportunity, OF which,
with the permission of the Senate, mean
now to avail myself, 10 say something, not
only on the particular OH ects OF the petit
ton, but upon the great and interesting
subject with which it is intimate y assocl-
aled.
1t is well known to the s nate, that l
have thought the most judlclous course
with abolition petitions has no: been OF late
pursued by Congress. | have believed
that it would have been wisest to have re-
ceived and referred them, without opposl
ton, and to have reported against their oh
iccl in Il calm and dispassionate and argu
mentative appeal to the good sense of the
whole community. Ii has been supposed
however, by a majority OF Congress, tha
it was most expedient either not to re-
ceive the petitions at al or, if formally re
ceived not act definitely upon them
There is no substantial difference between
these opposite opinions, since both look tt
on absolute rejection of the prayer OF The
pettioners. But there is a great differ
cnce in the form of proceeding; and, MI
President, some experience IN the condnc
of human affairs has taught me TO believe
that neglect to observe established forms
is often attended with more mIschlevou'
consequences than the infection of posi-
tive injury. We all know that, even II
privaie life, violation of The existing usa
ges and ceremonies Of society, cannot taxi
place without serious pre- udice. | fear
sir, that the abolilionists have acquired
considerable apparent force by bendln!
with the object which they have in view
collateral and totally different question
arising out Of an alledged violation of tn
right Of petition. | know full well, an
take great pleasure iu testifying, that moth
mo was remoer from the intention of tn
majority OF the Senate, from which | d
fered. than 10 violate the right of petiio
inanv case in which, according to its juds
ment. that right could be constitutional II
exercised or where The object Of Ihepetitio
could be safely or properly granted o:II
j, must be owned that the abollonls
have seized hold of the fact of the trea
ment which their petitions have receive
in Congress, and made injurious lmprs
sions upon the minds Of large portion
the community. This, think, mig
bava heen avoided by the course which
should have been glad 10 have seen pu
sued.
And desire now, Mr. President, to a
Yer, 10 some Of those topics which | thin
miuht have been usefully embodied in