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Slade, William : Speech of Mr. Slade, of Vermont, on the Abolition of Slavery and the Slave Trade in the District of Columbia. Delivered in the House of Representatives of the U. S. December 20, 1837. To Which Is Added the Intended Conclusion of the Speech, Suppressed by Resolution of the House

Original publisher's beige paper wrappers bound with string placed about center near spine. Text printed in black ink. Several pages are unopened. 6 1/4" x 9 1/2." Twenty-four pages, complete. Pages are clean and intact overall except for some wrinkling and creases along edges, light age toning throughout, slight darkening, and small occasional stains. A Very Good copy. This is a speech by William Slade that had originally been delivered before the United States House of Representatives on December 20, 1837. In his speech, Slade vehemently opposes slavery and forwards the abolitionist cause. Included is part of his original speech which had been censored and suppressed by the United States House of Representatives through a gag rule preventing the discussion of subjects deemed too "contentious" that had been passed a year earlier. This is the very speech in which Slade tried to circumvent the gag rule by arguing that he was speaking about a committee that would discuss slavery and not the subject of slavery itself. Several Southern Congressmen objected to Slade's approach anyway and walked out of Congress. The following day, a stricter gag rule was passed. Within his speech, Slade states his bewilderment at how his fellow Congressmen suppressed any petition to discuss the subject of slavery. Slade argues that suppressing discussion on the subject, however controversial, infringes upon freedom of speech. He further strikes down any defense of slavery by discussing abolitionist views by other politicians and laws and practices in the U.S. that are incompatible with the institution of slavery. Although Thomas Jefferson was a slave owner, Slade also references a few quotes by him that pointedly lament the plight of African slaves and how they are reduced from people to property through the institution of slavery. Slade makes several other abolitionist arguments by referring to Britain's ban of slavery, how the slave trade is already outlawed in the U.S., and how Mexico and most of South America, like Britain, have used legislation to abolish slavery. William Slade (1786-1859) was an American politician. He served as Vermont's Secretary of State from 1815-1823, a U.S. Representative from Vermont from 1831-1843, and the 17th Governor of Vermont from 1844-1846.. Book. Book Condition: Very Good. Binding: Soft cover

1st Edition

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