The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-10-10
SPEECH Of THOMAS MORRIS,
IN REPLY TO HENRY CLAY,
In The U. S. Senate, February 9, 1889.
(Cont ii n u Q i }
MR. CLAWS PETITIONERS.

This brings me. Mr. President, to the
consideration oflhe petition presented by
the senator from Kentucky, and 10 an ex-
animation OF The views he has presented
to the Senate on this highly important
subject. Sir, feel, / sensibIy feel, nv
inadequacy in entering into controversy
with that old and velnran senator but
nothing high or low shall prevent me
from an honest discharge ofmy duty here.
II imperfectly done, it may be ascribed to
The want of ability, not intention. II the
power of mind and the strength OF my
body, were equal TO the task, | would a
rouse every man, yes, every woman and
child in the county, to the danger which
beset them, if such doctrines ard views as
are presented by the Senator should ever
be carried into effect. His denunciatlons
are against abolilionists, and under that
term are classed all those who petition
Congress on the subject Of slavery. Such
| understand to be his argument, and as
such | shall treat it. l, in the first place,
put in a broad denia all his general
facts. charging this portion of my fellow
citizens with Improper motives, or danger
Gus designs. Tha; their acts are lawful,
he does not pretend to deny. call for
proof to sustain his charges. None such
has been offered, and none such exists, or
can be found. repei them as calumnies
double distilled iD the alembic of slavery.
| deny them, also, in the particulars and
inferences and let US see upon what
ground ;hey rest, or by what process of
reasoning they are sustained.
The very first view of these petitioners
against our right of petition, strikes the
mind that more is intended than at first
meets the eye. Why was the committee
on the District overlooked in this case and
the Senator from Kentucky made The or.
gan of communication Is 1t understood
that anti ,aboIitionism is passport TO pop.
ular favor, and that the action OF this Dis
trict shall present for that favor to the pub
lie gentleman upon this hobby2 Is this
petition presented as subject of fair legis.
lalon2 Was it solicited by members Of
congress, from citizens here, for political
efftct2 Let the country judge. The Pc
TONERS state that no persons bat themselves
are authorised to interfere with slavery 10
The District that Congress are their own
legislature; and the question of slavery in
the District is on y between them and their
constituted legislators; ard they protest
against all interference of others. But,
sir, as if ashamed of this open position in
favor of slavery, they III a very coy man-
ner say that some of them are not slaves
holders, and might be forbidden by con-
science 10 hold slaves. There is more
dclation, more political heresy, more dan.
gerouS doctrine contained In this petition,
than have ever before seen couched TO-
gether in so many words. Wei Congress
their own legislator in all that concerns
this District Let Those who may put on
the city livery,& legislate for them and not
for his constituents, do so; for myself, |
came here with different view, and for
different purposes. came free man, to
represent the people OF Ohio; and | in
tend 10 leave this as such representative,
without wearing any other livery. Why
talk about executive usurpaton and nfu,
ence over the members of Congress?
have always viewed this District influence
as far more dangerous than that of any
other power. 1t has been able to extort
yes, extorl from Congress millions 10 pay
District debts, make District improvements
and in support of the evil and criminal ju-
risprudence of the District. Pray, sir,
what right has Congress 10 pay the corpo-
rate debts of the cities 10 the District more
than the debts of the corporate cities in
YOUR State and mne2 None, sir. Yet
this has been done 10 a vast amount; and
the next step Is, that we, who pay all this,
shall not be permltted TO petition Congress
on the subject of their institutions for, if
we can be prevented in one case,we can 10
all possible cases. Mark, sir, how plain a
tale will silence these petitioners. If slave.
ry in the District concerns only the inhab-
itants and Congress. so do all municipal
regulations. Should they extend to grant.
ing lottery, gaming houses, tipping hous
es, and other places, calculated to promote
and encourage vice, should representa-
tive in Congress be instructed by his con-
slituents to use his influence, and vote a.
gainst such establishments, and the peo-
pie of the District should instruct him to
vote for them, which should he obey To
state the question is to answer it; other
wise the boosted right of instruction by the
constituent body is "mere sound" signify
ing nothing. Sir, the inhabitants of this
District are subject to State Legislation ant
State policy; they cannot complain ofthis
for their condition is voluntary and a.
this city is the focus of power, ofinhuenct
and considered also as that of fashion, i
not folly, and as the streams which flow
from here irrigate the whole country, it il
right, it is proper, that it should be subjcc
to State policy and State power, and no
used as leaven to ferment and corrup
the whole body polite.