The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-03-14
IUlI VIC 7 NNIo "
THE LATE MURDER.

bate upon MS resoiutlons ior an lnSesuga-
tion Of the circumstances connected with
the murder of his late colleague, Mr. Cilley.
The intrepid and manly position assumed
by Mr.. Fairfield in reference to this matter
entities him to the warmest appreciation of
his fellow citizens, and his conduct will be
greeted with the cordial commentator OF
every man of correct feelings throughout
the Union. II will be seen that broad in-
tlniations were thrown out that he was
trenching upon dangerous ground-Ihat hIs
course was one Of peril. He replies to
these hints in a manner becoming repre-
sentative of the people, who appreciatesiui- !
" his duties to his country, and is not 10
be driven from their faithful performance
by any considerations Of merely personal
nature. Mr. Fair6eld's observations on
this point are such as will sink deep into
the public mind, and will prove to the couu-
try the necessity of the investigation which
has been resolved on. We are told, and
from the representative chamber too, that
this investigation cannot be prosecuted
without serious consequences-that 1t is ne
cessary for the members Of the Committee
to go armed And has it come to this
Are the American people to understand
that certain men have entrenched them
selves in Congress to bid defiance to the
authority of the House with the dagger and
the pistol But after all, such intlmatons
can scarcely be regarded as surprising,
when we remember that year or two since,
one of the individuals who will come under
this investigation, avowed with curses and
imprecations, an intention of shooting n
witness who appeared before Committee
of which be was member, if that witness
had moved his arm. 1t is to be hoped,
however, that the gentlemen selected for the
purpose of inquiriug into the murder of Mr..
Cilley will show, as Mr.. Fairfeldha has shown,
that they are not TO be terrified from the
paths of duty. The eyes of the whole
country will watch their course.
Mr.. Fairfield said, 1t has been with feel
ings of surprise and pain that have listen
ed to the remarks of my colleague (nlr.
Evans) and the gentleman from Louisiana,
(Mr. Garland.) And in regard to the re-
marks of the latter gentleman, nIy surprise
was mingled with no small degree Of indig
nation. That feeling, however, has now
subsided. If that gentleman is-incupable
Of entering into my feelings in moving this
inquiry into the causes which led to the
death Of my friend and colleague, and can
fiud no motive but a political or sinister one
cannot 1ignify the feeling | entertain for
him by calling it resentment. Sir, have
no wish to use harsh .epithe,s, nor will
commence an attack upon any man; but
self-defence is a right which cannot will
lingly yield.
The gentleman from Louisiana has also
insinuaied that knew Of the contemplated
duel, aud stood by without making any
effect to prevent it; and now that 1t has
terminated fatally to my friend, have come
into the House to move committee of in
vestigation. To that gentleman, sir, have
no reply to make but to the House | wish
to say, that did not know that a challenge
had been sent to my colleague by the sur
vivor in the contest until near - O'Clock
of the day on which they fought, when
was told that they had already gone out,
and no one knew what ground they had
selected. Neither Of my colleagues, nor
myself, were bis coufidants in this unfor-
tunate affair.
The Speaker here interrupted Mr.. +.
and stated that the circumstances of the
duel could not be gone into under this res
olution.
Well, sir. let that pass then. But my
colleague (M. Evans) comes in with his
inuendoes. He cannot possibly perceive
the object Of moving this inquiry. What is
it says the gentleman. What can be ef-
fected by it what good will it dol Sir,
is it possible that my colleague can Sc
riously entertain such questions on this sub
lectl One of our number, Representa-
tive from the State of Maiue, was shot down
and deprived of life by another member !;
and when resolution is moved to inquire
into the circumstances, and to have the
facts reported to the House, that some ac-
ton may be had thereon, my colleague is
at loss to perceive the object of such a
resolution
He is in great doubt, and says tha, il
any evil comes Of it, he washes his hands
of it. Sir, when l ask that gentleman to
assume and relieve me from a responsible
ty voluntarily incurred by myself. ; shall
be so explicit as not to be misunderstood.
But of all affairs in which was ever en-
gagged, this is the las, from which / would
wish to be relieved. lfthe country and the
House will not sustain this enquiry, and
um to incur circumstanc from which nv
colleague is 50 desirous of washing his
hands, have only TO say that forek nowl-
edge Of all would not have changed my
course. What l have done has been a
,r ,,,er of duiv and from tho pcrforn anre