We Are Laying The Foundations Of A

Sir, I Am A Republican; And I Desire To See This House Observe The Principles Of That Democracy Which Is Ever On The Lips Of Its Members, And Which, I Hope, Is In Their Hearts, As I Know And Feel It Is In Mine, And Mean It Shall Be In My Conduct.

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.

Entertaining These Opinions Of The Course To Be Pursued, I Beg Of Gentlemen To Look At The Question, As I Have Done, In A Calm Review Of Facts And Of Principles.

The Right Of Petition Is An Old Undoubted Household Right Of The Blood Of England, Which Runs In Our Veins.

Upon The Constitution, Upon The Pre-existing Legal Rights Of The People, As Understood In This Country And In England, I Have Argued That This House Is Bound To Revive The Petition Under Debate.