The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-01-23
AGITATION.

The worst agiators in the Union are the pro-
fessed enemies Of agitation. They are forever
dsc,ss;no > the one~a:-- they demand shah not he
discussed, and instead of overlooking in silence
the words and deeds of avowed agitators, do all
they can to give them prominence and alarming
signifcancy.
Had it not been for their fanatical, informed
ding zeal, the political world would not now
be all agog with excitement at the state of things
| in Massachusetts and Ohio, and the Legislatures
Of those two States would have been left at liberty
to follow in peace the dictates of their judg-
ments As it is, the North and South have been
alike agitated by these blind zealots and no mat
ter what the result, an excitement will have been
created by their of1cious labors, which will aug
ment and perpetuate that already prevailing.
Mr. Clay. it seems, is disposed to come forth
as one Of these belligerent apostles of peace and
harmony. How his gorge rises at the idea Of
these "pestiferous abolitionistsp Why cannot
they be quiet7 Why will they persist in discuss
ing this delicate question"-in disturbing the
domestic relations of the South-in agitatipg the
country-in delaying the public business2
1t 80 happens, that not an Anti-Slavery speech
or movement has been made in the Senate this
session. Nearly two months have gone by, and
the Free Soil Senators have held their peace.
We do not complain Of them-they know what
they are about and will make themselves mani
fest at the proper time. But their very silence
is agitating to Mr.. Clay. Peace and harmony,
he seems to think, are never so lovely as when
he is fighting for them.
Why cannot he let the Slavery Question alone 2
Why distract an already divided country, and
reopen its bleeding wounds9 Why throw OBJ
stacles in the way of public business, already 30
long delsyedl Hardly has the Slavery Question
In one form been disposed Of, before Mr.. Clay in
sists upon bringing it forward in another form.
He is apparently determined that the country
shall have no rest on the vexed question, and yet
he pleads tenderly the while, for peace, for the
restoration Of fraternal feelings, and rebukcs the
Abolitionists for their restless, factious real.
The truth is, he and his oompeers are opposed
to agitation only when carried on by others. They
| would monopolize the business, and have all the
discussion on one side. Coald they be left free
to speak when and where and how they please,
and their opponents be compelled to listen to
them in silence, their beau ideal of Free Discus
sion would be realized.
Last Wednesday, Mr. Clay broke the silence
of the Senate by obtrudiug upon its notice, in a
speech clearly out of order the subject of the
free oolored population--one Of the consequences
| of Slavery He held in his hand two petitions
| one from large number Of citizens of Indiana,
praying Congress to remove from this country
to the shores Of Africa the free people Of color,
denominated by them the greatest cause of dis
cord" in the Union; the other, from Rhode
Island, signed by large number of the Sena-
tors and most Of the members of the House Of
Representatives, and by a great number of ex-
governors, ex-senators and ex-representativcs, as
well as by many Of the literati Of that State,
heads Of colleges, and by many private persons
praying Congress to establish lines Of mail steam
ers to Africa, TO encourage settlements on the
African coast for the purpose Of removing thither
the free colored population, and suppressing the
slave trade.
Mr.. Clay seemed profoundly impressed with the
idea that this petition emanated from the /" elne'
Of Rhode Island, not your fanatcal Abolitionists,
and therefore was entitled to peculiar respect.
We have no doubt that portion Of this elite de-
rives its importance from inheriting the gains
Of those distinguished citizens of Rhode Island
who, in former days, followed the respectable
occupation of slsve-trading, building up immease
fortunes by stealing people from Africa Having
been 50 deeply concerned In the importation Of
slaves, they now want TO try their band u the sa'
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