Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-04-24
Twenty-secOnd Congress.--Sess. I
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Saturday, .aprif Ii.

1
BREACH OF PRIvIa.EGE.--I Concluded
MT. Coulter SAID he was disposed to make few OBJ
servaons on the subject before the House, from the cir
cumstance that he was one of the minority in the case
referred to by the gentleman from Tennessee r Polk)
and 1t was due to HIMSELF Tor the purpose of explaining
the vote he should give the present OCCASION TO
the grounds on which he had differed from the majority in
the case alluded TO- On that ccasion though differing
with the majority he by no concurred in the
sons stated by the minority TO that House. Those
were drawn up by very able gentleman; but they were
peculiarly his own reasons The ground on which he
(Nlr CD had dssented from the majority was, that the
dVidual upon whom the assault committed, in that
case, was not known to the House in any official charac
tcr-it was very certain he was neither member
ohcer oil that House he recognized, in his of
hcal character by the law the constitution. 1t did not
appear to him (NIr. CO. necessary, order to maintain
the intercourse bewixt that House and the Executive
mat the individual in question should be clothed with
that special immunity he not the only medium OF
communication betwiXt that House and the Executive !;
there were many other channels by which that inter
course might be carried on. Such the views which
had operated on his mind that occasion but they could
have no operation herc.It appeared TO him, that il the
House should adopt the recommended by the gen.
einan from Tennessee, they would apply the touch oil
tho torpedo TO this sanatoy power OF Congress Whilst
they were celebrating, the mischief might be doncth
offender hed-and his evil purposes accomplished. The
deliberate Judgment and action of Congress might have
been prevented and il would heal up the wound thus
inflicted on the Constitutions itwoudno bind the broken
integrity OF the government that that House should send its
messenger in pursuit of the perpeator OF the outrage
Why the power lodged in their hands, but the
House might have the means of ef-preservaton-the
power to protect its deliberations Ii the course to be
pursued, that recommended by the gentleman from
Tennessee, they might well turn over the aggreved
party and their violated rights the of the
District Ii was because those rights and the integrity
oil that House, when broken could wait for the slow
forms oil justice, that this power given them As
had been well observed by the gentleman from Ohio
was not the privilege ola member who had suffered vo-
ence- was the privilege OF the people of Ohio; and if
that House denied 10 exercise the power poessed-and
he should show, presently, that the gentleman from
Tennessee admitted the existence OF this powert was
not to the gentleman from Ohio that the injury would be
fnr fha (sai1A ,au, al.
VIII bear him above the indgnity, if cast upon himbut
is upon the people OF Ohio, whom that gentleman re-
presents here, that the blow will be inflicted and for the
preservation oil whose rights this power given the
House. lie would put case; and here he would tell
gentlemen, that he spoke not OF the powers exIsence
he spoke OF our government and he hoped
would ever remain he spoke OF man he is though clothed
with the ermne OF Office exalted by the dignity of
tion-a creature rail both in his judgment and feelings;
and subject TO human niirmites and human passons;-
he would suppose that might occur, which the
pages OF history would tell them had occurred and which,
therefore, might again; which had happened to
others, and might therefore happen TO ushe would sup
nose that some ambitious individual, wishing TO grasp
more power tnan the constitution allowed him, de-
part from that track which had been the first
institution ofour government should find necessary for
the purpose OF accomplishing his evil designs to still the
voice oil inquiry or complaint i'm that House, where the
voice oil the people ought TO be all potent and where he
hoped would be suppressed: but let the case be
supposed that the Executive should wish suppress it,
ana how could his design be better accomplished than bv
causing those who known be opposed to his ambi
ous designs, to be waylad in the Streets and disabled
o uiscnarSinS their dulles IN that House defence
rights oil their constituents and the liberty oftheir country?
d members come to that House armed with agpers and
pistols or with band of armed friends protect them?
no. hey came there tospea the will and wishes of their
constituents TO plead their defend their RIGHTS
freely and earessy but who would do So if thew We're
TO be exposed TO the liability, after leaving that House. of
Deg assaled IN the street by the ruans bugeon and
to be beat and bruised, and disabled, their friend from
ONO mad been, and that for performing his duty in that
ia' as the representative the people! If such was to
be the state of things, the situation of representative
would be little desirable. And would The course of the
Executive to the awess ends OF ambition, under such
satc be plain and easy; He did not sneak of the
EXECUTIVES he did not say that he had any cause TO do so.
out he spoke OF what might happen for the prevention
oil which, the protective power of that House over its
members was the sures the only el'ecua safeguard
Gentlemen would rccolect that period had occurred in
The history o! our Government which had been termed
he reign terror when the representatives of the people
hau Oeen puDhcly insulted He hoped that a reign of
terror not again to eccur when member was not o
speak his sentiments in that House, but hazard of
being attacked in the streets by strong and armed men
and subjected to the most brutal treatment
know not Mr. Speaker, said Mr.. c. but NAV be the
next vlcn OF this biudgcon for have the indiv-
dua walking round the House with the weapon in
his hands, but at the hazard of ourageaye even of life
il it must be-he would speak his opinions in that Hall on
that and every other occasion But if the voice of the
people was only TO be spoken there the hazard of
treatment as the member from Ohio had received where
would old Ncsors be found the hoary men of wisdom
and experience! The young, the vigorous and athletic
might come there's but those in whose breast the hand of
age had Impressed design for tranquty those who
though untitled for physical contention were the best To
Suue anu instruct the councils OF nation what
protect them from the assault OF the uian, if that House
should withdraw from them its projections Such men
living III peace and security in their own States where
the patriot might speak, and speak without fear would
leave this arena OF ten miles square, the POSSESSION and
contest of bules and blackguards.
1T was said, however, that the course proposed bv the
resolution was unusual one that it was not COM
petent for that House TO take the accused into their power
I'LL Inc has been tried and found guilty OF the offence with
which he is charged. He should like TO know how he
was to be tried II he first arrested, Was il in
tended that the committees if appointed should send their
humble request TO Samuel Houston begging him TO con-
descend so far as TO before Them and submit him
sell ana MS case TO their investigation and judgment? IL
not so, would that committee have the power TO coynDeI
him TO come before theml Gentlemen had said that the
charges were not proved. lie granted H. But was not
the statement of member of that House equivalent TO
an oatb He thought it And what was the rule in
all the States OF the Union, i'm where party make
oath to an assault and bacryl Was warrant granted
ON that oath against tho party accused Yes if the Pres
dent oil the u States should lay his finger in anger
on the humblest citizen warrant would on tho oath of
would be committed TO Jail Such was the rule in the
States but there they told, it would he a monrous
infringement OF the liberty Of the citizen TO issue war.
rant on the word of their associates though such words had
always IN parliamentary proceedings been considered ms
antamount to an oath The ground them was laid for an
arrest ana detention OF the accused party unless he gave
good secuy for he had doubt he offered such secur
y although the matter had not, far knew been ex
pressy provided for that the House would not be inclined
to act towards him with the mercess go he had shown
towards Of its members
Gencmen had asked, il any case was known in which
am individual had been arrested by the courts for contempt
nose cases were very anomalous; but the court had
any apprehension that the offending party would escape
he had no doubt they would issue warrant But there
tvau -.