The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-10-03
SPEECH of THOMAS NORRIS,
IN REPLY TO HENRY CLAY,
In The u S. Senate February 9, 1889.
INTRODUCTION.

own Slate, but citizens of several Other
States, New York, Pennsy lvania, Mich
gan, Illinois aud Indiana. These petitions
ers. amounting in number to several thou
sands, have thought proper to make me
their organ. in communicating to Con
gress their opinions and wishes on sub
jects which. to them, appear OF the highest
importance. These petitions, sir, are on
the subject of slavery, the slave trade a:
carried on wi,hin and from this District
the slave trade between the different States
of this Confederacy, between this country
and Texas, and against the admls-
sion OF that country into the Union,
and also against that of any other
State, whose constitution and laws reco2
nize or permit slavery. take this OPP
poruny 10 present all these petitions to-
gether, having detained some Of them tor
considerable time in my hands in order
that as small portion OF the attention OF
the Senate might be taken up on their ac'
count as would be consistent with a strict
regard 10 the hts of The pelitloners.-
And now present them under the most
peculiar circumstances that have ever
probably transpred in this or any other
country. Ipresent them GU the heel Of
the petitions which have been presented
by the Senator from Kentucky (Mr Clay)
signed by the inhabitants of this District,
praying that Congress would not receive
petitions on The subject of slavery in the
District, from any body Of men or citizens
but themselves. This is something new;
ii is one of the devices ofthe slave power,
AMI most extraordinary in itself. These
petitions am in duty bound TO present;
duty which | cheerfully perform, for l
consider i, no, only duty but an honor.
The respectable names which these petit
tons bear; and being against practice,
which las deeply deprecate and deplore
as they possibly can do yet we'll know
The fate oithese petitions; and | also know
the time, place AMI disadvantage under
which | present them. In avaiing my
self of this opportunity to explain my
views on This agitating topic, and to ex-
plain and justify the character and pro-
ceed!ngs otthese petitioners, it must be OBJ
vious 10 all that am surrounded with no
ordinary discouragements. The strong
prejudice which is evinced by the petition
ers of the District, the unwllingness oflhe
Senate to hear, the power which is array
ed against ME on this occasion, as well as
In opposition to those whose ighis am
anxious 10 maintain; opposed by the very
lions of debate in this body, who are cheer
cd on by an appIaudlng gallery and sur
rounding interests, is enough TO produce
dismay in one far more able and eloqu ent
than the lone and humble individual who |
now addresses you. What, sir, can there
be 20 induce me to appear on this public !,
arena, opposed by such powerful odds |
Nothing, sir, nothing but strong sense
of duty, and deep conviction that the
cause advocate is just; that the petition
ers whom represent are honest, upright, |
Intelligent, and respectable citizens; men
who love their country, who are anxious
to promote its best interests, and who
are actuated by the purest patriotism,
as we'll as the deepest philanthropy and
benevolence. In representing such men
and in such cause, though by the most
feeble means, one would suppose, though
on the floor of the Senate of the U. States,
order, and adecent respect to the opinion
OF others, would prevail. From the caus'
es which have mentioned, can hardly
hope for This. Iexpect 10 proceed through
scenes which i'll become this hall but
nothing shall deter NE from a full and
faithful discharge OF my duty on this i'm
portant occasion. Permi! me, sir, to re-
mind gentlemen that have now been six
years member Of this body. have sell
dom, perhaps too seldom, in the opinion
OF many of my constituents, pressed myself ;
upon the notice Of the Senate, and taken
up their time 10 useless and windy debate.
lquesion very much if have occupied
the time of the Senate during the six years t
as long as some gentlemen have during
six weeks or even six days. hope, there,
fore,that | shall not be thought oblrusive,or
charged with taking up time, with aboli- S
ton petitions. hope, Mr. President, to
hear no more about agitating this slave ,
question here Who has begun Ihe agitation {
now2 The Senator from Ky. (Mr Clay.}
Who has responded to that agitation, and {
congratulated the Senate and the country e
on lis resIls2 The Senator from South +
Carolina (Mr Calhoun) And pray. sir, q
under what circumstances is this agitation S
begun2 Let it be rendered, let us col. j
lee, the facts from the records on your la {
Bile, that when |, as member of this body, t
but few days since offered resolution a
as the foundation Of proceedings on these e
petitions, gentlemen, as il operated on by t
an electric shock, sprung from their seats c
and objected 10 its introduction. And t
when you. sir, decided that it was the right c
of every member to introduce such motion j
or resolution as he pleased, being responi- t
BILE 20 his constituents and this body, for the b
abuse of this right, gentlemen seemed to t
wonder that the Senate had no power TO S
prevent the action OF one Of It's members Ia y