Cushing, Caleb, 1800-1879 / 2008-07-04 00:00:00
EBOOK SPEECH OF MR. CUSHING ***
Produced by Curtis Weyant, Andrea Ball and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team.
SPEECH OF MR. CUSHING, OF MASSACHUSETTS,
ON THE
RIGHT OF PETITION,
AS CONNECTED WITH PETITIONS FOR THE
ABOLITION OF SLAVERY AND THE SLAVE TRADE
IN THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA:
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, JANUARY 25, 1836.
WASHINGTON: PRINTED BY GALES AND BEATON, 1836.
SPEECH.
Mr. Cushing said: I hold in my hand several Petitions on the subject
of the slave interest in the District of Columbia. One of them, I
now present to the House. Upon it, I make the preliminary motion,
understood to be necessary in such cases, that it be received; and,
in reference to this question, I have some few remarks to submit to
the consideration of the House.
This Petition prays for the abolition of slavery, and the slave
trade, in this District. It is respectful in its terms, being free
from the offensive expressions and reflections contained in some of
the Petitions on the same subject, heretofore presented; it is
signed by inhabitants of Haverhill, in the State of Massachusetts;
and among the subscribers are the names of citizens of that State
whom I personally know, whom I avouch to be highly respectable, and
who, whether mistaken or not in their views, are assuredly actuated
by conscientious motives of civil and religious principle. They are
constituents of mine; they have transmitted to me the Petition,
desiring me, as their Representative, to present it; and, under
these circumstances, much as I have deprecated such a commission,
and reluctant as I am to be instrumental in the introduction of any
matter of excitement upon this floor, I cannot permit myself to
hesitate in the discharge of this painful duty, believing, as I do,
that it is the constitutional right of every American, be he high or
be he low; be he fanatic or be he philosopher, to come here with his
grievances, and to be heard upon his petition by this House.
Read more
Parts:
1
2