Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-03-22

ideal man. 1t says. every member who
shall hereafter present such petition"
ought to be considered an enemy to the
Union. &c. What is that. sir, but the
same threat, indirectly made, which the
member from South Carolina, (Mr. Wad-
DIV thompson directly made, of sending
the man who should present such petit
ton to the Grand Jury LOT the District of
Columbia? This Resolution declares that
the member who shall hereafter make an
attempt to present any such petition, shall
be held infamous. Isthis another maxim
of the slaveholding representatives, touch.
ing the freedom of speech in this House2
Sir, if that Resolution passes, will sub
NIT to it so far as not to present any petit
tons OF slaves, but shall consider it as
Resolution most disgraceful and dishonor-
able to this House. What, sir, is any
member Of this House to be pronounced
Infamous for offering to aid human misery
so far as to present its cry for mercy and
relief to this House!
But. sir, not only would such Resolu-
ton dishonor this body in the eyes of the
whole civilized world, it would also limit
the rights and the liberties Of members of
this House, SO as IN fact, to surrender
them all. II, sir, you can get vote to
pronounce member infamous who shall
hereafter present petition from slaves,
you have but one step further to take, and
that will be easy in the rage of the spirit
Of party,-you will declare that every
man shall be held infamous if he propos-
es anything dispIeasing to the majority.
As to the third Resolution, ask of the
justice Of the House not to 60 for it. 1t
indirectly does what the other Resolutions
of censure did directly. 1t says that no
further proceedings shall be had against
me, because have disclaimed disrespect,
and disavowed an intention which no one
had the shadow of right to impute to
me. What is this but saying that if
had not disclaimcd and disavowed, | should
have been censured and punished by an
ex post facto law? But that having done
so, having in fact pleaded guilty, there
fore, out of pure kindness, they will for
give me- Forgive me, sir, for what?
For violating the rules of this House, for
contempt of this House? No, sir. Had
, done so, the Speaker should have called
me to order, and rebuked me on the in
slant. And suppose, sir, for moment, ii
was a violation of any rule for me to put
t the question did to the Speaker, concern,
ing that paper, and this is the offence for
; which am to be forgiven, how stands the
: case of the Speaker himself who put tina
, very question to the House? do not see
but that if 1 am to be indicted by a Grand
: Jury, the Speaker must be indicted with
me- for aiding and abetting. did but
ask the question of the Speaker. He
2 asked it of the House, and if there was
2 contempt or crime in either case, which
was the greater?
2 Sir, am content that this whole debate
z should go forth as it has been begun in
: the National Intelligencer. am willing
} that my constituents, the people OF this
? nation, the world, and all after times.
l should judge of me and my action on this
great moral question. And here l say,
l that have not done one single thing |
e would not do again. under like circum-
t stances-not one thing have done that
S have not done under the highest and
l most solemn sense of duty.
, But 1t is said that have triled with the
House. That deny have disclaimed
, again disclaim any such Intention No
SIR, had higher purpose than trihine
t with this House, and having d;sclaimed
such intention, no man has right tc
: charge me with it. Sir, never acted un.
Y der more solemn sense of duty; Inev
; er was more serious in any moment O
r my life take it, therefore, that the las
s resolution, excusing and forgiving me
will not pass 1t is founded on supnosi
ton of disclaimer and retract;on on my
$ part. Sir, renounce all favor from thi.
# House on the ground of disclaimer or re
\ traction. [ have disclaimed notbinn
v have done or said. | have retracted moth
s ing. l have done my duty, and shout,
v do it again, under the same circumstan
> ces, if it were to be done tomorrow
D. Members of this House have accuses
J. me of consuming the time of the Hous
=. by presenting Abolition petitions. Is il
!. or they who have done this! IF Sir, gen
IS tlelnen who are opposed to these petition
At had permitted them to pass to the tabl
?. under the rule, no time would have bee
ot consumed. If the Speaker had promptl
e. answered my question no time would hav
ot been consumed in this debate. shout
70 never have occupied half an hour on
At Monday, in presenting these petitions
X which have felt it due to the petitioner
is generaHy,to present singly, had not gen
., tIemen risen to thwart me in the disc hare
of my duty. Sir, I protest against n
consumption of the time taken up Nv d,
NJ bates growing out of objections made b
he other mem bers being charged to me.
appeal to the House Iappeal to the natio,
that it is not [ but those who object to m
ee doings in the scharge IF my duty, VIII