Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-02-08

a
moment than the present could have been selected
for it. Are to be thrown into confusion, on the
eve of the Presidential election, when every indi-
vitual is under the Influence ofpersona feeling:
MIR. FoRsYru said the gentleman from South
Carolina had brought up the scdition act. twas
not called for by any thing he had said. lie had
alluded TO the corfuptons of the press for no other
purpose than show that individuals could not go
there vintlicatc their character with any chance
Of success. He considered a newspaper contest as
the greatest misfortune that could befal man.
MIR. M'DUFrIE expressed his satisfaction that
the gentleman from Georgia had 10 further mean
ing.
Mr.. FULLER rose to offer n few observations
upon some of the grounds taken by tine gentleman
from Sonth Caron a, (Mr. Nj Duiie). He con-
Cured with him in the convictions that the ailega
tons in the letter, which had been published in the
Philadelphia newspaper, were utterly groundosS;
thai conviction, MIR. +. believed, universal, or
nearly so, among the members of this House.
Were it not so, he could not doubt that any MEM
ber who really believed in the existence of such
corrupt bargaining, the letter alledsed, would
promote the proposed inquiry. He
vnccd that those who opposed the investiga-
ton did with the belief that such corruption
existed. Had the charges been confined to anony-
NOUS letters i'll newspapers, would not, said Mr..
+. have given my vote for the inquiry sought.
But when the member from Pennsylvania stands
ses by adopting the letter as his own, | thimk the
House is bound to treat 1t in different manner
say rot,ntdrtiy, for there was no color, far
L could discern, for the suggestion of tire gentleman
from ). c. that he was surprised or iutimidated
into the course he took. Charges thus deliberately
made this floor by member of the body, gainSt
a member distinguished as its presiding officer, of
having corruptlv transferred his influence To defeat
the will of the people and betray the interests of
his constituents the honorable gentleman fIom
South Carolina tells us caunot be legitnatrly III
v'siSated by this House, because the result OF such
investigation lead To ''constitut onal act ION
our part. Surely this position Of the gentleman
cannot be sustained if it could, might agree with
him IN opposing the commitment. But, sir, If the
charges are proved, am confident that a remedial
power exists in This body-it perform, a corsti-
tutional act by the expulsion of the person upon
whom the stain Of corruption is found Nay, sir,
instead OF dceming the present time improper
seasonabe, III my opinion ii is of all others the
~ moment when it becomes us to with prumti-
tude and energy. The public excitement which
gentlemen 50 much deprccate be rcpressed in no
other way. An election by this House is at hand
IN which the whole nation takes lively interest; i'm
conducting which it becomes to act with UGH fair
ness and Independence as,to defy malice and even
suspicion. Innumerable letters have gone abroad,
| and some of them been published, fraught with the
most odous charges of corruption in onr body; and
member in his place avows himself ready to
yprovc the charges contained in of the most out
rageous 'ot hem--and how does the gentleman pro-
pose 70 a!.ay the public excitement? WHY, by stiff
I in% the lnGulIyhy suffering the charges To 90
abfoad-to extend through the conmunity-to
gain the ear Of the public. without any such con-
iradictiOm as countcract the poison No, sir
this can allay the cXciteincnt OF prevent the
mischief 1t IS onIy by Instantly adopting the Sc
vefcst scrutiny into the truth falsehood of the
charges, and II found to be saSe as the gentleman
himself appears to anticipate, by sending forth the
authentic refuaon, that the people of this coup
try will be satisfied. This alone will allay the ex
citcment. The people have the highest confidence
ia their representatives, and this course will confirm
that confidence.
But, 81, the gentleman ressts this inquiry on
! another ground-the freedom Of tine press will be
invaded by pursuing it! There is not the shadow
OF reason for the apprehension. He treats it as if
the printer the writer of the letter were araiqn
ed at bar for the publication. as a contempt of
the House. No such thing is proposed. So far
from the liberty of the press being menaced bv the
proceeding ii in fact affords the press the means of
cifecting its proposedohect. This object is presun-
ed to be. as it processes, the PRONUNCIATION of the
truth, for the prevention of mischief. Instead of
arraiguns the printer our bar. we forthwith in
stitute an inquiry, and If the publication is proved
tine remedy will be completes and the object be OBJ.
tanned. EVENT. found TO be false, tile printer re-
mains untouched; nay, the writer of the letter. A
member iii this body. incurs no personal danger;
unless, indeed, it should appear, which do not he
eve- that tile publication made maciouslv
with knowledge of its falsehood To suppoSc
this, Or to indulge the belief that base conspiracy
exists, to affect the approaching election by spreaj
| ing abroad rumours of bargains and intrigucs he
! tween any OF the candidates and the members by,
whom the election is to be made. would. imply a
want of candor, which, Mr.. +. said, he freely dis
claimed
Beevins therefore, Mr.. +. said, that these char
ges were so presented, & were of such nature that
If sustained, the House might proceed to punish the
guilty whoever they might be; aud if not sustained
that the speedy aud authentic declaration ON the
part OF the House, that they groundless would
| quiet the anxiety which otherwise nipbt enoonder
| Jealousy aud dangerous excitement tlrounh the
community; he could not but hope the committee
would be appointed.
MIR. M'DUFFIE replied, that the statement nc
had made was, that the House ought not to proceed
unless some constitutional actcanld afterwards he
! performed. But he was answered by the gentleman
! from Massachusetts, and the genlemau.f from New
ork, that Il result such he had required could
rot take place. You dcthrone the Speaker
He nefer wished 10 profess one trct while he had
another III view. Does the gcnu, ian from New
York then proceed on the belief that the charles
arc true: No, he does not believe them 20 bc ,ruc
Does he mean 10 say, then, that we are TO 20 ON.
keeping in view object at which we have no idea
/ OF arriving: Those who make this proposition,
seem to think the Speaker guilty. What saws the
gentleman from New York? "Ruinours are abroad:
He are losing the confidence of the nation!" If we
are in danger Of losing it, we are now taking the
likeliest means to do so. We are exercising in
! quIsrorial powers. Is this House to take copni-
zanre of newspaper paragraphs? Suppose 7 find
myself arraighed by my constituents, should have
right to appeal TO the House: The people have
d right to investigate, and the proper channel for
my defence are the public journals. The eentI,