Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-05-11

slitu,ionai provision, that for any speech or debate in Ell.
Their House, the members shall not be questioned in any
other place, and violates essentially the right of perfect
immunity dsechere for words spoken in debate here,
which is essential 10 The independence OF Congress, and
10 the existence Of constitutional liberty. And when
this. offence is committed by a member, it calls for The
exercise Of the highest powers OF the House to purge 1t.
self Of the evil, 10 maintain efectual!y lis rights and
privileges, and to preserve inviolahle this immunity,
which is guaranteed by The Constitution, not for the
sake of the individual, but for his constituents aud for
the country.
The present case is without any circumstance of ex.
,enuation. A member of the House, in a manner most
strictly parliamentary, on an occasion most appropriate,
in language most decorous and moderate in defence OF
the honor Of the House against an anonymous and un-
founded charge Of corruption, had alluded 10 the publish.
ed records of former proceedings with perfect truth and
accuracy; had, in obedience to his duty, declined a hos
tile demand for explanation in a manner in which The
committee can discover no cause of offence; had, res
peclfully, with expressions Of regret, declined TO I'D.
init the right 10 interrogate him farther had disclaiIned
all C%isrespeci, directly or indirectly, toward his antago
mist, and avowed for him the highest respect and the
kindest feelings; and, after all this, avowed without hos.
Utility, and against the strongest protestations of others,
he was required fatally, to expose himself 10 the thl!d
discharge of a rife. On the other hand, Mr.. Graves, a
member Of The House, voluntarily and unnecessarily be-
came the bearer OF a demand upon another member in
attendance, for explanation of words spoken in debate
he presented it in the House while the House was in ses-
sion ; he demanded a reason for the refusal, beyond the
voluntary election OF that member 10 he drawn into no
difficulty upon the subject; which being withheld, he
then challenged him in this city, and slew him in this
vicinity, while Congress was in session.
Every step Of MIR. Graves in this progress, involved
him deeper and deeper in a breach of the privileges Of
the House, until their destruction was onsummale in
The person of Mr.. Cilley. The eye of reason can dis.
cover, in the whole course Of Mr.. Cilley, no offence to.
ward those who pursued him, except tina, given by al
ludIng To the records of Congress, in the faithful and
upright discharge Of his duty asa member, which, just.
ly, could have given no offence at all. Nor can his death
be vindicated or excused by any circumst ance whatso.
ever, not even by that custom, the relic Of unenlighten.
ed and ~barbarous ages, which was formerly supposed Ito
be a proof of some degree of physical courage, but is,
in fact, a signal monument Of the want of the higher al.
tribute Of moral courage; which has, in these modern
times, degenerated into a game Of chances, and a scram.
BILE for undue advantages; which can furnish no criterion
for truth, justice, or honor, and deals out its infections
of misery most severely upon The unoffending and the
helpless; which is deeply ~deplored by all men, even those
who submit to it, and is forbidden, in every Stage Of it,
by all law, human and divine.
1t is not necessary, on the present occasion 4, 90 into
any consideration Of The general power of The House 10
punish for breach of privilege; or to inquire into the
origin and foundation Of that power over contempts,
which has been asserted by the Parliament Of Great
Britain, from time immemorial, by every legislative body,