floor of Congress, and which the press would spread on the wings of the Avind as a portion of the ordinary debates. Such speeches had been made, and they were called forth by anti-slavery petitions.
Hence, it was resolved to abolish the right of petition, and the freedom of discussion in Congress, on all subjects re- lating to slavery. It was on the 26th May, 1836, that the House of Representatives passed, without debate, the celebrated rule, known from the name of its author, as the Pinkney Gag. From this moment, ntterl}^ discarding all considerations of political influence, Mr. Adams devoted himself to the defence of constitutional liberty, assailed by the southern slaveholders, and their northern allies.'^ On the question of the gag-rule, prostrating alike the right of petition, and the freedom of discussion on the floor of the House, Mr. Adams, being precluded by the previous question from offering any remark, refused to vote, exclaiming, when his name was called, " I consider this resolution as a direct violation of the mles of this House, of the Con- * Of seventy-nine northern Democrats, sixty-two- voted with the slaveholders, and only one of forty-four northern Whigs.
i?i:vi[:w OF thf: Mexican war. 293 stitution of the United States, and of the rights of my constituents." He then demanded that his refusal to vote, and the reason assigned, should be entered upon the minutes. The boldness and independence which he exhi- bited on this occasion, so novel and unexpected, so ut- terly at variance with the usual deferential submission of northern politicians to southern dictation, instantly riveted upon him the gaze of his countrymen, nor was that gaze intermitted, till twelve years afterwards, it beheld his honored and revered remains deposited in the tomb of his ancestors. He declared, in the presence of its authors and supporters, that the gag-rule was " an infamous reso- lution." He fearlessly imputed it to corrupt motives, and waged against it, a most vigorous and unceasing warfare, in speeches, in public addresses, in letters through the press to his own constituents, and to the people of the United States, till in December, 1845, he had the glory of carrying a resolution for its abolition.