The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-02-28
IYScIIBuRG, FEBRUARY "a, lcs.
LIE Mu1ILATrp pocuMENT.

TIE MU1ILATFD DOCUMENT.
We had intended 10 publish the debate IN
tire House Of Representatives on Mt Camp
bells motion for further investigation into
the circumstances attending the suppression
II paragraph in The letter of hlr. Dickson,
rashicr OF the Steubenvile Bank, bat IT. great
lengih and comparative uninlportance have
induced Us 20 decline IL. The zeal of some OF
the ncmhers who took part in the discussion,
we think, FAR ouistrpped their judgments, and
zee are not a, all singular in The opinion that
they ylolstcd moi only The respect they owed
TO the HOUSE, hut the respect they should have
,rl, for hen9irts We know nothing of the
mcfils OF the case, more than we have sub
faiited "a our readers nor are we qualified TO
isdse Of The characters Of Mr. Cook of Hi.
nois and his opponents. But lief the eharso-
ter Of tho ont be ever so low, and those OF
the OILERS unexoeptionable, even then they
would not have been warranted in their harsh
Doss towards him. We are like Mr.. Wright Of
Nd. we respec, Mr.. Cook because he has dis
covered talents, and because he has proud
INDEPENDENCE about him which laughs 10 scorn
the imputu,ions und threats of our modern
tfotspurs Aswe hnve not room rthe whole
debate, we viii give some extracts, without
regard, however, 10 the order in which i,
took place
Mr. Giiiner OF Georgia. at seems that
there was something 10 The nature of these
papers which led the gentleman from Illinois
s-he member, mean '--Gc
Mr.. Coos {" | had intendedto have answer
"a some OF the remarks OF the gentleman from
,,eorgia--yes, will say the gentleman from
scorgia--but the gentleman has this morning
Withdrawn his proposition '--&o,
Mr. .lrcber of Va. "The hon. gentleman.
(Mr Cooh) has no claims to our sympathy af.
ter tie pafi he has acted
Mr. Cook. ti think IL must be within the
recollection Of every member that imputations
have been made against me II gentlemen
choose To dsclaim their alrsionsto me 1 am xra.
tiiedat their doing so. Butthc remarks OF gen.
tlemen couldnot be misunderstood--they mers
,iJi misundcrstood What ,then,was my course2
To sit still, and pGfmit the mantle of disgrace
10 fall upon me without resistance II seem.
ed to me that the tenor of all the observations
made yesterday, as | understood il, and ms |
WIS hiilt tNtIN mftHiltI W iif flDuHt under
stood it, was TO cas-, imputations on me II
WAS asked of the, not here nor there, but ey.
cry where, IRE yoa ready for Msgaiioms2 |
was glad 10 find the question put 70 me in such
a mauncr as TO shew that they universally felt
acontemp aud disgust al what those who ask.
cd II supposed To be an untounded and unge.
nerous attack upon me" "As for the sympa-
ihles OF the gentleman--l hive no doubt.
.IOn bis character he viii do inc Justice :. and
J ask for no sympathy from any body but for
Justice merely. For four years that have hnd
sent here, lhave had every reason TO believe
that every person brought before this House
wonld receive justice at its hands. | believe
that there Is sufficient degree of indepen-
dknoe, manly independence, in this House. to
secure 10 every man justice. ask no sym
lathy from the House. ! stand self-poised /,
ad II VIII be demonstrated 10 the House, If
ihe investigation goes on, that have good
reason 10 stand self-poised."
Several threats were made of expelline the
author-of \. b. ian anonymous essay in the
Washington Republican, which first made
fublie the fact OF the suppression,) if it was
discovered that he was amember OF the House
Ito which Mr. Cook replied
"For, what is the object OF this attempt
10 ascertain who was the writer of the ar
ucles in the newspapers, unless there is an
intention 10 follow IT up with such punish.
mept of the offender as YOU choose 10 in
diet Where is your power to punish the
offender Where is your right To inquire
scspecting him, if you have not the right
~ punish him +? Is an officer OF this gov.
eminent to shield himself from an inyesti-
cation OF his conduct by the exercise Of
such power as this Aud is he who
dares 10 step forward in defence of the
rights and liberties of his country, 10 blast
the hopes or prospects Of an aspiring ndi.
vitlrial, 10 be brought to punishment by the
iaYulsltorlal power Of this House Such
power would be worse than the powers
OF the Spanish inqusition; and, IL such
proceedings were to be carried on here
eaid he, we should, like Cromwell's Par.
ianicut, be kicked out of this House, no,
by AN usnrper, but by the People. Th,
People of this country will not consent tina,
any individual shall he sheltered from in.
vestisalion of his conduct or claims, at the
peril Of the Sergeant at arms ofths House
The People will not submit TO il. The,
bave had n trial OF it in milder form-ir
the form of law, aud with an unanimou.
feeling of indignation they refused thei,
sanction 10 it. What did gentlemen mean
20 do with this individual, when they de.
tected him One had said he would bring
aim 10 "eondign punishment" Whal
punishment is it he would inhict Thi.
- taking rather rank ground-it is shifting
cur ground the times of ninety eight are
gene by, aua worse times are coming
brought ON, too, by those who were the frs
- d.nounce the times ofninety- And
IS this the object Of gentlemen j? know
what wonld be my situation, in case of al
attempt 10 violate my right in the manner
suggested by gentlemen would mee
your rigora with contempt. We have, il
This attempt, specimen OF what we ma,
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