This brings me, Mr. President, to the consideration of the petition presented by the Senator from Kentucky, and to an examination of the views he has presented to the Senate on this highly important subject.  Sir, I feel, I sensibly feel my inadequacy in entering into a controversy with that old and veteran Senator; but nothing high or low shall prevent me from an honest discharge of my duty here.  If imperfectly done, it may be ascribed to the want of ability, not intention.  If the power of my mind, and the strength of my body, were equal to the task, I would arouse every man, yes, every woman and child in the country, to the danger which besets them, if such doctrines and views as are presented by the Senator should ever be carried into effect.  His denunciations are against abolitionists, and under that term are classed all those who petition Congress on the subject of slavery.  Such I understand to be his argument, and as such I shall treat it.  I, in the first place, put in a broad denial to all his general facts, charging this portion of my fellow citizens with improper motives or dangerous designs.  That their acts are lawful he does not pretend to deny.  I called for proof to sustain his charges.  None such has been offered, and none such exists, or can be found.  I repel them as calumnies double-distilled in the alembic of slavery.  I deny them, also, in the particulars and inferences; and let us see upon what ground they rest, or by what process of reasoning they are sustained.

The very first view of these petitioners against our right of petition strikes the mind that more is intended than at first meets the eye.  Why was the committee on the District overlooked in this case, and the Senator from Kentucky made the organ of communication?  Is it understood that anti-abolitionism is a passport to popular favor, and that the action of this District shall present for that favor to the public a gentleman upon this hobby?  Is this petition presented as a subject of fair legislation?  Was it solicited by members of Congress, from citizens here, for political effect?  Let the country judge.  The petitioners state that no persons but themselves are authorized to interfere with slavery in the District; that Congress are their own Legislature; and the question of slavery in the District is only between them and their constituted legislators; and they protest against all interference of others.  But, sir, as if ashamed of this open position in favor of slavery, they, in a very coy manner, say that some of them are not slaveholders, and might be forbidden by conscience to hold slaves.  There is more dictation, more political heresy, more dangerous doctrine contained in this petition, than I have ever before seen couched together in so many words.  We!  Congress their OWN Legislature in all that concerns this District!  Let those who may put on the city livery, and legislate for them and not for his constituents, do so; for myself, I came here