The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-06-06

committee. In that sense, every suggestion or
abuse may be held to be a SANDER: which
goes al once TO tho root of the power of Con-
gress To inquire into abuses ia the Govern
ment. As 10 the SANDER deserving punish
ment when 1t touches private" citizens, sure
ly no man Is pirate in reference 10 public con
Germs. The distinction between private right
and public responsibility is as clear as between
black and white. If member of Congress for
example under cover of his privilege, examines
your private dealings and pecunisry iransac,
tons, lie manIfestly violates your rights as u
private citizens; but il he comment upon or
examine your conduct touching csniract with
the public, he may perhaps do you injustice in
the premises, but he certainly violates no right
winch you possess private citizen. There
Is another ingredient in this supposed SANDER
by members OF Congress, viz that, in mttering
u, They violate the rules of the House. In
this part OF the imputed language of the Pres
ident. the right is assumed for "prlvate citi-
zen" TO consider departures from the rules Of
order, by members of Congress, as grounds for
MS own action towards them personally
doctrine utterly inaamisabe as well as directly
adverse to the constitutional provision that
Each House may [shal determine the Rules
o! proceeding, and punish its Members for dis.
orderly Jeharior." IL there can be any one
thing utterly beyond the control or authority
OF any private citizen, otherwise than through
the ballot box,) 1t is the question whether any
thing said or done in either House be or be
not departure from its Rules. When, how
ever, in connection with the sentence we have
analysed, the President is made further TO say
that " the sanderer was worse than the muir.
derer,' we are lost in astonshment, not :ha,
such an intinatlon should be hastily and IncoE.
siderately uttered, (for every man is sometimes
l. IA al. 4
set down and pronulged in the Government
paper, as iflt were an aIiOm in morals We for.
bear to render it in other language, or give II
the Interpretation of which il is suscep' ible
We cannot, however, mentally apply it to the
case which was the subject of consideration
without being shocked and grieved at the con
structien which it bears.
Exceptionabc as we hold this passage, Their,
are several in the conversation imputed to tn,
President by the Globe which are more 80. w,
will particularize only one where the Presiden
is made to speak as iolows: son the Suggestion
that the course taken Ia remarkable phrase to
wards MI. StanberIy would lead TO scene oil
violence at Washington City, he observed that
the mischief would cure itself:-that whcr
members of Congress became sensible, by q
| few such cases" &c This expression alone
! we are sorry to see and TO say it, admits al
that has been imputed generally to the Pres
| dent viz: that he used in conversation Ian
| guage calculated to encourage assaults on
members Of Congressfor words spoken ia de
bate.
| Against this opinion, as well as against the
doctrine concerning the powers of each House
of Congress, already eferred to, we do mos
earnestly and absolutely protest, and especially
as emanating from the Chief Magistrate of the
country, and concerning the rights, privileges
and personal safety of he Members of the Leg
slature.