Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-05-23
MISCELLANEOUS.

Tar REPoRr OF THE Committee OF
ConoREss on THE DUEL.--Ths extract
below is from the close Of the Report, and
expresses sentiments which must involve
Messrs Graves and Webb in deep aud en-
dutlnR disgrace. These circumstances are
truly eDcouraging.-M Y EDaHgsiist.
Itrenains TO inquire whether there has
been breach Of the privileges Of the
House.
2 hiss breach Of the highest constitution
Al privileessof,he House. and Of the most
sacred rights or the people in the person of
their Representative. 70 demand, in hos
tile manner, an explanation Of words spok-
en- In debate; 20 be the bearer Of such a
demand TO demand reason for refusing
70 recsive il, beyond the mere voluntary
election Of the member Intercepted, or to
demand, under any circumstances, any rea-
sorl a. all. No member can be questioned
In hostile way, and put 10 his plea. and
Weld 10 Il, without subjecting himself 10
rreat disadvantages IN the estimation Of
MANY and impairing bis influence and
his usefulness os a member. 1t is still
more aggravated breach Of the privileges
Of the House, and Of the rights Of the peo-
uIe Ia the person oftheir representative. to
challenge member, and to STAY him in
combat, for refusing 10 comply with any
such demand. Il Is the highest ofense
which can be committed against either
House Of Congress against the freedom
of speech and Of debate thercin-against
the spirit and the substance Of that consti.
ta,ional provision. that for any speech Of
debate in either House, the members shall
NOT bg questioned in any olber place. and
violaIes essentially the rigkt Of perfect i'm.
munity elsewhere, for words spoken in de
bite here. which is essential 10 the indie.
uendence Of Congress, and to the exisIrnc,
Of constitutional liberty. And when thii
ofFense is committed by member. itcalIi
for the exercise Of the highest powers o
the House to purge itself Of the evil. {,
maintain efijeciually It's rights and priyile
res, and TO preserve invIolable this immu
nity. which is guaranteed by the conititu
ton. not for the sake Of the individual, bu
fos his constituents and for the country.
The present case is without any circum
stance of extenuaiion. A member Of til
House, in a manner most strictly parlia
menlafy, on an occasion most appropriat,
IN |nnonaoe most decorons and moderate
kindclense Or Che honor Of the House again:
an anonymous and unfounded charge {
corruption, had alluded 10 the publishe
records Of former proceedings with perfec
truth and accuracy !; had, M obedience
his duty, declined a hostile demand Tor e,
nlanation in manner in which the con
m;ltec can discover no cause Of offence
had. respectfully. with expressions Of .,
rrs, declined 20 admit the right 10 intern
ssts him farther; had disclaimed all di
-..snect. directly or indirectly, toward b
.n,nonn;s,. and avowed for him the hig
ert respect and the kIndesi feelings; ar
,(.r all this. ayowed without hostility.
.o,;ns, the strongest pr0,esiations OF OF
~ he was required fataily.to expose hiI
ssif % thethird discharge Of rife {
she otner hand, Mr.. Graves, member
,be House. voluntarily and unnecessary
h,c.me me bearer Of demand upon a
ofb.r member in attendance, for explnn
ian AZ words spoken in debate. He pr
.en,ed Il in he House while the Hon
WIS IN session; he demanded reason {
ibe refusal. beyond The voluntary electlt
IN hat member 70 be drawn into no diff
s,,l,v ppon the subject; which being wit
k~lj hethen challenged him inlthis eii
~ dew him IN this vicinity, while Col
grcss was il session.
n-.rv step OF Mr. Graves IN this PR
-. ;.rolrtd him deeper and deeper
LI-@-t - = "a ....+ ..tI..,~,.. I,,f fh.s F1orn