Southern telegraph., 1838-03-20
Speech Of MIR. Prcntiss.

@#sge ON THE
MISSISSIPPI CONTESTED ELECTION
Delivered in hc House of Representa-
tiDes, January II, 1888.
Mr.. PRENTISS addressed the House a
tollpws:-
MIR. SPEAKER: As an individual. than
the House for the courtesy which has bee
extended to me. On behalf of the State q
Mississippi, l acknowledge the sonewla
fardy justice which has at length permitte,
her to be heard upon the question of he
right to choose her own representation OF
this floor.
The first use shall make of the privilege
accorded to me will be to set tho House
right as to the attitude Of the question, for
perceive that many members labor under a
misrepresentation on this point, and / am
anxious that the position occupy in this
matter should be distinctly understood. ]
have petioned this House for nothing; nei-
Their have memoralized it. l have pre-
scented myself here as a representative from
the sovereign State Of Mississippi to the
Congress of the U. States, and claim seat
on this floor, not as matter Of faror, but as
matter Of right. produced my creden-
tlals, properly authenticated, showing my
due election according to the laws of that
State, and demanded to be sworn. No one
objected to the legality of the election; no
one questioned my qualification or the cor
rectness of the return; neither was there
any doubt as to the authenticity of the cre-
den;ials. The State of Mississippi, it was
admitted on all hands, had, through her
highest organs, and in accordance with the
provisions of her Constitution and laws, SOL
EMMY accredited me as her Representative.
1t was objected, however, that the seats be-
longing to that State were already filled, as
by resolution of the House, a
dopted at its last session, which resolution
the State had no right to gainsay.
You, sir, refused to administer the oath,
and referred the matter to the House. The
House referred it to the Committee on E.
|ections, with Instructions to report the facts
Of the case, which report, with the resolu
lions based thereupon, is now the subject Of
discussion.
Had been permitted, should have OBJ
ected to this reference. | thought then,
md still think, that a committee had no bu-
siness with the matter. Ii was not case
Of contested electi II. No one denied the
iue election and return of my colleague
md myself. Our credentials were perfect
md unimpeached, and the only question
which arose was upon the right Of the State |
# Mississippi to hold any election in No
'ember for Representatives to Congress. |
The State had claimed the right, had exer-
Used it, and through me, had asserted it to
his House. No one gainsayed the cleo
ion, qualification, or return. 1t was the
light of election itself which was contro-
'erted, and not the right Of those claiming
,nder it. The State of Mississippi asserted
Ter right in November iast to elect
to the Twenty-fifth
in obedience to her laws,
which she believes to be constitutional.
md binding upon this House. This House
'enied the right, and set up its own action
gainst it. Now, as far as the House had
Jurisdiction to decide upon this collision be-
ween itself and the State, thought it could
nd should have proceeded at once, without
he Intervention of committee.
listened with feelings Of deep regret, of
pen notifications and of undisguised alarm,
0 sentiments expressed by honorable gen.
Iemen, whose only advantage over myself
las arisen from an earlier action on the part
f the States which they represent, and an
ssertion of their claims at an earlier period
han was practicable on my part. Sir, IS
here gentleman ON this floor, who holds
lis seat by virtue of law more definite,
nder credentials more perfect, with an ex-
ression more extensive or more decisive
f the popular will, than what were exhibit
d and admitted in the present instance?
md yet il was said that the high and solemn
by State, of her Represen-
alive here, stands upon the same footing,
nd is Untitled to no greater consideration
nan an humble memorial, or beggarly
otition. Yes, sir, one of the twenty-six
states Of this Confederacy, constitltionally
Untitled to furnish and compose portion of
his very body itself, stands, when asserting
UGH right, in no better attitude than Prl-
ate individual praying for a place, or pc
ilioning for pension. | protest against !.
uch doctrines; they are equally degrading
, the character of the States and Of this |
louise, composed, as il is. Of the Represen-
atives Of those very States whose rights aref
reated with such disrespect. | deny that
he action of great independent political
community is entitled to no other attention,
+ is subject to the same technical rules Of
Procedure as the action Of private individ-
al. doubt not, sir, that this is the most
ignified body on earth; still It does not
trike me that its dignity would have been
n the slightest degree compounded by al
owing the State of Mississippi to have been