Thus obnoxious, I have always regarded it as an enactment totally devoid of all constitutional, as it is clearly devoid of all moral obligation, while it is disgraceful to the country and the age.

And, Sir, I have hoped and labored for the creation of such a Public Opinion, firm, enlightened, and generous, as should render this Act practically inoperative, and should press, without ceasing, upon Congress for its repeal.

For all that I have thus uttered I have no regret or apology, but rather joy and satisfaction.

In Boston stands Faneuil Hall, where, throughout the perils which preceded the Revolution, our patriot fathers assembled to vow themselves to Freedom.

Amidst these scenes a Slave-Hunter from Virginia appears, and the disgusting rites begin by which a fellow-man is sacrificed.

Who can be wise, amazed, temperate and furious, Loyal and neutral, in a moment?

Her traitors now are those who are truly animated by the spirit of the American Revolution.

In condemning them, in condemning Massachusetts, in condemning these remonstrants, you simply give proper conclusion to the utterance on this floor, that the Declaration of Independence is "a self-evident lie.

The Stamp Act was welcomed in the Colonies by the Tories of that day, precisely as the unconstitutional Slave Act has been welcomed by an imperious class among us.

Liberty, in her struggles, is too often driven to force.

They have spoken their sentiments with freedom against this unhappy Act, and that freedom has become their crime.

Sorry I am to hear the liberty of speech in this House imputed as a crime.

No gentleman ought to be afraid to exercise it.

I would not debate a particular point of law with the gentleman; but I draw my ideas of Freedom from the vital powers of the British Constitution,--not from the crude and fallacious notions too much relied upon, as if we were but in the…

I can acknowledge no veneration for any procedure, law, or ordinance, that is repugnant to reason and the first elements of our Constitution....

They have been driven to madness by injustice....

Within less than a year from its original passage, the Stamp Act--assailed as unconstitutional on the precise grounds which I now occupy in assailing the Slave Act--was driven from the statute-book.

There was an unjust tax of a few pence, with the chance of amercement by a single judge without jury; but by this statute no person could be deprived of that vital right of all which is to other rights as soul to body,--the right of a man…

Who can fail to see the difference between the two cases, and how far the tyranny of the Slave Act is beyond the tyranny of the Stamp Act?

The petition asks simply the repeal of an obnoxious statute, which is entirely within the competency of Congress.

It is brief and respectful, and, in its very brevity, shows that spirit of freedom which should awaken a generous response.

In refusing to receive it or refer it, according to the usage of the Senate, or in treating it with any indignity, you offer an affront not only to these numerous petitioners, but also to the great Right of Petition, which is never more…

Permit me to add, that by this course you provoke the very spirit which you would repress.

And the occurrences of this day will make it visible to the people in new forms of injustice.

Let us at all hazards prevent the extension of Slavery and the increase of the Slave Power.