Mr. Cushing said: I hold in my hand several Petitions on the subjectof the slave interest in the District of Columbia. One of them, Inow 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 tothe consideration of the House.
This Petition prays for the abolition of slavery, and the slavetrade, in this District. It is respectful in its terms, being freefrom the offensive expressions and reflections contained in some ofthe Petitions on the same subject, heretofore presented; it issigned by inhabitants of Haverhill, in the State of Massachusetts;and among the subscribers are the names of citizens of that Statewhom I personally know, whom I avouch to be highly respectable, andwho, whether mistaken or not in their views, are assuredly actuatedby conscientious motives of civil and religious principle. They areconstituents of mine; they have transmitted to me the Petition,desiring me, as their Representative, to present it; and, underthese circumstances, much as I have deprecated such a commission,and reluctant as I am to be instrumental in the introduction of anymatter of excitement upon this floor, I cannot permit myself tohesitate in the discharge of this painful duty, believing, as I do,that it is the constitutional right of every American, be he high orbe he low; be he fanatic or be he philosopher, to come here with hisgrievances, 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 myjudgment a right to be heard; and so long as I have the honor tohold a seat in this House, no constituent of mine, however humblehis condition or unwelcome his prayer, shall see his petition thrustback in his face unheard while the gift of reason or speech remainsto me; for if it cannot be received and considered in the usualforms of legislation, it shall be heard through the lips of hisRepresentative. Nor will I undertake to scan over-captiously, eitherthe object of his petition, or the language in which it is couched;nor will I stop to inquire how far the petitioners and I myselfentertain the same opinions of the general subject-matter. And thereare particular inducements, which impel me to make a stand at thepresent moment upon this Petition.
I declare and protest in advance, that I do not intend, at this timeat least; to be drawn or driven into the question of slavery, ineither of its subdivisions or forms. At home, I am known to be ofthose, who long ago foresaw and early withstood the coming of thisanti-slavery agitation. Of the many occasions when I have activelyinterposed in this behalf, I hope to be pardoned for distinctlyciting one, as vesting in me some title to be candidly heard by theHouse. I allude to a published Address upon the slave question, inwhich I deliberately asserted the constitutional rights of the Southin this matter. It shall be my aim, on this occasion to do and saynothing inconsistent with myself, with the letter of theConstitution, or with the spirit of the various compromises ofinterest and opinion incorporated into the union of these States.
The members of this House have been frequently called, during thepresent session, to vote upon divisions connected with petitions ofthis nat