ordinary way, he said: "I hold the resolution to be a direct
violation of the Constitution of the United States, of the rules
of this House, and of the rights of my constituents." This was
the beginning of the duel between the "old man eloquent" and a
determined majority in the House of Representatives. Adams
developed undreamed-of resources as a debater and
parliamentarian. He made it his special business to break down
the barrier against the right of petition. Abolitionists
cooperated with zeal in the effort. Their champion was abundantly
supplied with petitions. The gag resolution was designed to
prevent all debate on the subject of slavery. Its effect in the
hands of the shrewd parliamentarian was to foment debate. On one
occasion, with great apparent innocence, after presenting the
usual abolition petitions, Adams called the attention of the
Speaker to one which purported to be signed by twenty-two slaves
and asked whether such a petition should be presented to the
House, since he was himself in doubt as to the rules applicable
in such a case. This led to a furious outbreak in the House which
lasted for three days. Adams was threatened with censure at the
bar of the House, with expulsion, with the grand jury, with the
penitentiary; and it is believed that only his great age and
national repute shielded him from personal violence. After
numerous passionate speeches had been delivered, Adams injected a
few important corrections into the debate. He reminded the House
that he had not presented a petition purporting to emanate from
slaves; on the contrary, he had expressly declined to present it
until the Speaker had decided whether a petition from slaves was
covered by the rule. Moreover, the petition was not against
slavery but in favor of slavery. He was then charged with the
crime of trifling with the sensibilities of the House; and