Speech of Mr. Cushing, of Massachusetts, on the Right of Petition, as Connected with Petitions for the Abolition of Slavery and the Slave Trade in the District of Columbia. In The House Of Representatives, January 25, 1836.

"Speech of Mr. Cushing, of Massachusetts, on the Right of Petition" by Caleb Cushing is a stirring address given to the House of Representatives, focusing on the essential right to petition, especially concerning the fraught subject of abolishing slavery and the slave trade in the nation's capital. Set against a backdrop of heated national division, this speech champions the idea that citizens inherently possess the power to express their concerns and seek solutions from their government. Cushing makes a powerful case that the right to petition is a basic freedom, shielded by the Constitution, rather than a favor bestowed by Congress. He reminds his colleagues of their duty to listen to these petitions with respect, no matter how controversial the topic. Drawing on past legislative examples, Cushing demonstrates that Congress has previously tackled these issues without trampling on the right to petition. He cautions against the dangers of silencing these voices, arguing that suppressing dissent only intensifies it and urges Congress to champion democracy and protect citizens' rights, inviting scrutiny of their actions by the public.