Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-03-09


being presented TO the House.
But, laying aside the constitutional
question, he would ask, would they con-
sent. as matter of eXpodicncy, 10 give
the preference to the petitions Of few
hundreds, or even thousands, of abolition
ISIS, over the petitions of five millions of
the people ofthe South! But he proceed.
ed to inquire, land he did it through no
disrespect,) whence was it that the most
asluie and industrious advocate of the alb
clifton petitions derived his present notions
upon the subject OF slavery; and when it
was that they first took p session of his
breast? He would certainly have sup
posed that age so advanced, industry so
untiring, learning so accumulated, honors
and confidence so abundantly bestowed
uby d inst if not grateful country, would
have withheld i In gentleman, ; when speak.
ing of class of the citizens of this Union,
from applying to them the odous term OF
stakeholder. Whence was it that the gen.
tleman had received his first political hon
ols?, From the HANDS of Save, holders. -
By whose advice was he retained in an
honorable mission abroad? by that of a
stakeholder. Who placed him in the col,
lege of the diplomatic world, in which he
gained that distinction to which he was so
eminen,ly entitled Shareholders. Who
made him afterwards Secretary of State?
Shareholders. And who lastly made him
the chief among ten thousand, aud placed
him in the presidential chai'l Slavehold.
ers. And yet, with all these honorS thick
upon him, with all these rewards ola CRATE
full country, he calls his bencfactors slave
holders.
He was one among those who, in 1924,
preferred the civil qualifications of a gen.
tlcman TO those of military character in
the selection of n chief magistrate of the
Union. He need not ask TO be pardoned
by the gentleman; hut he did ask the for
giveness of his county.
There was strong disposition on the
part of large portion Of the people of this
country TO initiate what they called the
morality OF Great Britain. He would ask
the attention of gentlemen to the morality
of Great Britain. Africa, most afflicted
Of Heaven, had furnished more Of human
suffering than any other spot Of earth, and
through whose means? By means ofBrt-
ish cupidity. In 1908 she secured TO her
selfa monopoly Of the slave trade for 80
years, by which it was stipulated that she
should for that period furnish all the Span
| ish colonies with slaves. She secured TO
herself the traffic in human flesh and blood
ave, the traffic in souls for thirty years
Did her example make no impression up
on those over whom her influence extend
edl Why, after the conclusion Of the Am.
erican war, was the slave trade continued
in this country. And who was it that en-
gagged in that trade? The gentleman
friends whether relatives or not, he coulC
not saw entered into that traffic, and, un
til the year 1908, they continued TO make
money by traffic in human flesh and blood
which was now matter of such serious
complaint in the mouths of the abolition
lists. Was it for the purpose OF qulctIn4
the spirits according to the notions OF tho
gentlemen) of those who were justly dam
ned, that these petitions were now thrust
upon the House day after day! God would
deal with them according TO their deserv
ings; these petitions would abate nothing
of their sufferings, the gentleman nigh
be assured. The question might have beer
settled long ago, if the gentleman, who IL
so astutc, had made known his sentiments
then; it might be settled now if the, VIZ
only resolution enough to march up to 1t.
The gentleman from Massachusetts &C
knowledged that Congress had no powe
to abolish slavery in the States. Yet n
persisted in forcing upon tho House aboIl
ton petitions; and for what purpose! Wa
it for the purpose of keeping Congress IL
agitation? The gentleman owed 1t to HI
patriotism; he owed it to his country; hi
owed il to the five millions of men, womeI
and children who we're soliciting them tt
preserve the peace Of the country; HI
owed ii to them
The falling of the Speakers hammer an
nounced the expiration Of the hour.