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

DINA. 49,
Sir, We have heard much of the great
of Angio-Saxon blood: Is
there man living, with drop of that
blood in his veins, who will subscribe to |
this doctrine of the member from South |
Carolina2 Are these the principles of
freedom by which to regulate the deliber-
atoms of Legislative Assembly, / ask
any member of this House what ne thinks
would be the issue, if member of the
British House Of Commons should rise
in his place, and tell another member that
for words spoken there he should be held
amenable to Grand Jury of Westmin-
ster? Sir, it would be considered too
ridiculous for indignation it would be
received with one universal shout of
laughter, and from thenceforth subject the
author of such measure to be held up,
e Sacred to ridicuIe his whole life long, #
And the sad burden of some merry songs
(Laughter.) Arraigned as have been,
Mr.. Speaker, on such variety of charg-
es, changing their ground in such rapid
succession, it has been impossible to make
my defence with any system or ORDER
ALI that l say is unavoidabfy desultory.
Whenever my accusers presented the COL
or of an idea, before could fix it, it was
gone, and other ideas of other colors pre-
scented in its stead The gentlemen have
performed their parts here like those per-
sons known in the theatrical companies by
the name Of actors of all work, who as
sumo many characters in the same play,
and change their dresses so often, that you
never know 1t is the same actor thataOmes
in, in so many different parts, all p unlike
So has it been in the rapid chan ges of the
gentlemen, who, in variety of charac-
ters, have arraigned me as criminal to
be brought to the bar, on the charge of
gross contempt "tor gtrimg color to an
idea !'' How can l reply to such a
charge, or how defend myself against the
allegation of such crime2 Such are
the attempts made TO bring down upon
my head, the indignation and censure of
this House; a calamity, sir, which |
should regard as the heaviest misfortune
of long life, checkered as it has been
by many and severe vicissitudes. Yes,
sir, avow, that if vote Of censure should
pass upon my name, for any act of mine
in this House, it would be the heavies: of
all calamities that have ever befallen me.
Sir, am guilty, have ever been guilty
of contempt to this House, Have | not
guarded the honor of this House as a
cherished sentiment of my heart! Have
not respected this House as the Repre-
sentatives of the whole people of the
whole Union2 Have | ever been regard
less of the great representative principle
of the people, here exhibited? Have
ever been wanting, as a member of this
body, in proper esprit du corps! Have
| not defended the honor of this House
on more than one occasion! Was | not
the first, on former occasion, 10 vindicate
members of this House from the charge
of being susceptible to bribery and cor.
ruption, a charge coming from one to
whom the majority were most devoted
Have 1 not defended this House from
charges from another quarter, to which
wish no further to allude ?t And am
now to be censured for doing what | have
not done, or for not doing what | did mo-
do, under pretence of a contempt of this
House, in an act which was done from
motives of the highest possible respect tc
this House? for never, in any act of my
life, did more consult the respect due tC
this House, than in proposing the ques,
ton put to the Speaker touching tina
paper from slaves.
Sir, if he be an enemy who shall sue
coed in bringing down upon me, directly
or indirectly, the censure Of this House
| say, If he be my enemy who votes foI
this, let him know he has his revenge, hi
triumph; for a heavier calamity coult
never fall upon me on earth!
And this brings me to the Resolution
before the House.t Iobject to the frs
Resolution, Offered by Mr.. Patton of Va.
because 1t does not meet and answer m,
question. Let the question be put, by yea
and nays, and am willing to record m,
yea, tina: it is the duty of the House to re
ceive petitions from slaves, and | shall re
: gard it as of high import to free institu
lions, if, on full elaboration, the Heus
refuse to say that they will receive peti
= tIons from slaves. The resolution doe
= not say whether they will or not. Ths
! question, and the only question really be
= fore the House, is not met. We d. nc
; know whether it is proper or not to pre-
!, sent such petitions. But suppose it is NJ
- proper! Can there be any offence, befor
. the House have settled or considered thu
:, question, for a member respectfully to as
= whether it be proper2 Now sir, thi
! question is not met, and that is my objec
u ton to the first Resolution.
tMr. Thompson is violent opposition mer
" Der, and vehement in his denunciatTons of h
= President. Reporter.]
'PoPe's threat to his critics. [Reporter.
l. tReferring, it is presumed, to the able defen
q | Nh A rnada h. Lat