Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-06-19

sion. Sir Edward Coke and Mr.. Gram
vile were not satisfied with this title to
their privileges; and, under their lead,
the House entered on its journals re-
solution, asserting its privileges, "as its
own undoubted right" and manifesting
determination to maintain them as such.
This, says the historian, SO enraged his
majesty, that he sent for the journal,
had it brought ito the council and
there, in the presence of his Lords and
great officers of state, tore out the offen~
sive resolution with his own royal hand.
He then dissolved Parliament, and sent
its most refractory members to the Tow
er. / have no tear, certainly, sir, that
this English example will be followed on
this occasion, to its full extent; nor
would insnuate that any thing outra-
geous has been thought Of, or irrtended,
except outrageous pretensions but such
pretensions must impute to the author
of this Protest, whoever that atthor 10.
When this and the other House shalt
lose the freedom of speech and debateS
when they shall surrender the rights Of
publicly and freely canvassing all impof-
tant measures Of the Executive; when
they shall not be allowed 10 maintain
their own authority and their own privi-
leges by vote, declarations, or resolution,
they will then be no longer free Repre-
sentatives Of free people, but slaves
themselves, and fit Instruments to make
slaves Of others.
The Protest, Mr.. President, Comedies
what it doubtless regards as liberal
right Of discussion to the people them
selves. But its language, even in ae-
knowledging this right Of the people to
discuss the official conduct Of the Presi-
dent, in such lang guage and form as they
may think proper, 'subject only to tho
restraints Of truth and Justice" But,
then, who is to be judge Of this truth and
justice? Are the People to judge for
themselves, or are others TO judge for
: them"
I The Protest is hero speaking Of polsti-
cal rights, and not moral rights; and II
restraints are imposed on political rights,
1t must follow, OF course, that others are
to decide, whenever the case arises,
whether these restraints have been vio-
lated. 1T is strange that the writer Of
the Protest did not perceive that, by
using this language, he was pushing the
President into direct avcwal of tho
doctrine of 1893, the text Of the Protest,
dno the text Of the obnoxious act Of that
year, are nearly Identical.
But, sir, if the People have q right to-
discuss the official conduct Of the Ex--
ecutive, so have their Representative
We have been taught to regard Re-
preventative of the People, as sentinel
on the watch-tower of Liberty. Is he to-
be blind, though visible danger ap-
, proaches2 Is he to be deaf, though
, sounds of peril fill the air' Is he to be
: dumb, while a thousand duties impel him
|, to raise the cry Of alarm! Is he not
rather, to catch the lowest whisper
: which breathes intention or purpose Of
! encroachment on the public liberties,
and to give his voice breath and utter
ance at the first appearance Of danger!
\ Is not his eye TO traverse the whole hori-
a zon, with the keen and eager vision of
IS an unhooded hawk, detecting, through
! all DISCUSSES, every enemy advancing
4 in any form, towards the citadel whiois
r. he guards.
o Sir, this watchfulncss for public Lib
C erty, this duty Of foreseeimg danger and
y proc!aiming it, this promptitude and bold
e ness in resisting attacks on the Consti-
e tuition from any quarter, this defence OF
;, established land marks, this fearless re-
y sistance of whatever would transcend OF
n remove them, all belong to the represen-
> tative character, are interviewer with its
II very nature, end Of which it cannot be
r, deprived, without controverting an &C.
h tive, intelligent, faithful agent Of the
y People, into an unresisting and passive
y instrument of power. A representative
l. body which gives itself up. 1t is re
s, preventative body no longer. II ha
ct broken up the tie between itself and il
e, con stituents, and henceforth is fit onl!
IN to be regarded as an inert, self-sacri
Of feed mass, from which all appropriate
at principle of0taliiy, has departed forever