Speech of Mr. Cushing, of Massachusetts, on the Right of Petition   By: Caleb Cushing (1800-1879)

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.

These petitioners look to me to obtain them a hearing in this place; they have a right to require this office of me; they have, in my judgment a right to be heard; and so long as I have the honor to hold a seat in this House, no constituent of mine, however humble his condition or unwelcome his prayer, shall see his petition thrust back in his face unheard while the gift of reason or speech remains to me; for if it cannot be received and considered in the usual forms of legislation, it shall be heard through the lips of his Representative. Nor will I undertake to scan over captiously, either the object of his petition, or the language in which it is couched; nor will I stop to inquire how far the petitioners and I myself entertain the same opinions of the general subject matter. And there are particular inducements, which impel me to make a stand at the present moment upon this Petition.

I declare and protest in advance, that I do not intend, at this time at least; to be drawn or driven into the question of slavery, in either of its subdivisions or forms. At home, I am known to be of those, who long ago foresaw and early withstood the coming of this anti slavery agitation. Of the many occasions when I have actively interposed in this behalf, I hope to be pardoned for distinctly citing one, as vesting in me some title to be candidly heard by the House. I allude to a published Address upon the slave question, in which I deliberately asserted the constitutional rights of the South in this matter. It shall be my aim, on this occasion to do and say nothing inconsistent with myself, with the letter of the Constitution, or with the spirit of the various compromises of interest and opinion incorporated into the union of these States.