Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-03-02
IN SENATE.-Fehruary 81


would have been "a, the time OF his death the old
est Commodore, next Com. Jas. Barron Tbis
gentleman was extensively known aud much as
teemed for his excellent qualities. Before he
was even shrouded, vultures were rushing I'm ey-
cry direction for his place, and incredible as such
indeicacy NAV appear. distinguished senator
II very little while after his death, came into The
Senate Chamber 10 make influence for a red no,
jackson man That had been appointed under
Jacksons administration for his party services
Let such conduct, and coming from such q source
speak for itself
Mr.. King atroduceda solution tina, the Sem
ate attend the funeral tomorrow at half past
three o'clock, and that the funeral be at the ak
penses of the government.
HOUSE.-'fhe journal ing been read. Mr.
Prentiss, OF Mississippi, rose, be said, for the
the purpose of prosecuting 70 The House "A qnes-
ton of privilege And he then offered the fol-
lowing resolution:
Resos ed, That The House proceed forthwith 10
inquire
L. Whether Alex Duncan, a member of this
House from the Stale 81 Ono, he the author of
a certain publication or publications. under his
name, IL relation tho proceedings Of tins
House, aud certain members thereof, published
in the Globe newspaper of the 10Th Instant
. Whether, by SAID publication or publications
that said Alex. Duncan has been guilty of n vio-
laton of the privileges Of this House. Of an of
fence against ITS peace, dignity, and good oteier
and such grossly Indecent, ungenilemanlv dis
graceful, aud dlshonoTahio misconduct as ren-
ders him unworthy of his seat IN this House, and
justly liable 10 expulsion irqm the same.
The Speaker said that this, being a question
of privilege, would take PRECEDENCE over all
other business.
Mr. Prcntiss said that, the question was an
important ono, he would, before procee ding IN his
remarks move call Of the House; which was or
dc,cd
The roll hlving been called, l25 members ans
wereI 10 their names.
Mr.. 7. moved "A suspension Of further proceed
ings, but Withdrew the motion.
Several members who had entered the Hall al
interim appeared and announced their presence
to the Chair.
The doors of the Hall were then closed; Also
those couvenien; upertures. commonly called
W. dows. And excuses were received. After
which,
On motion Of Mr. IIals'ed, all further, pro-
ccedings in the call were dispensed with.
Mr. Prentiss then called for The reading of tho
publication to which the resolution had reference.
Which having been read
Mr. Prentiss, after some appropriate remarks
on tho necessity 81 preserving pure the lnstiiu-
tons Of the country aud The dignity Of The House.
which the ther;n3netcf of manners alluded
the Dazzling Law mhich has recently passed.
He sad ut The tnns oi lis passage, 10 had pro-
dcied II would open the door for insult: and black
guaraism, and give an opportunity for one mem
Der o insult aud abuse another WITH impunIty.-
lie defended the established system of The code
Of honor, which IN his opinion was, after all, the
cstpreseryativc of good order. lie alluded 10
the article N the Globe beautiful illustration
of the system, established by the passage oil
the recent act.
Here Mr.. Duncan rose and said with tho
view of saving trouble, he would state that he
WAS the author Of The communication IN the
Globe
Mr.. Prentss proceeded, md read several
Il. Id
view Of showing their peculiar beauty. lie consid
cred the language used as unworthy OF gen
tenln and a member of the House. lie main
tanned that the author of the publication
worthy the society of gentlemen and ct n seat IN
the House. He SAID that IN all countries, prt-
waite and personal in aries were redressed either
by appeal 10 the laws, decided by what is
termed t1e 60 IL Of honor. He then cudeayofcd
show that the author of the Publication
worthy OF that code. IL m4uianed th4t the
writer Of that article had, b. his bltckguird lam
yuage, placed himself far beyond the cod: of
honor. He alluded ia particrIar 10 that portion
Of the article which referred 10 Mr. Southgaie,
and denounced the lang Iage used towards HIM, a.
indecent and beastly IN the extreme
Mr.. z. then charged the writer OF the article,
with attempt At direct violation Of the law
recently passed for the prevention of Duelling.
He called the attention Of tbs House To that
portion of the act which provides .'that If any
person shall call another coward or shall use
aBy opprobiols language to him, for having re-
fused 10 fight duel, he shall DO Liable 10 seven
wears Imprisonment in the Penten,iary, wished
to know If the writer had not rendered himself
amenabe to that law. lie unged the impof-
lance Of the Subject and said that If the House
did not in this instance show is displeasure, ever
after its mebers would be liable 10 the most inia-
nous abuse for words spoke in debate without any
means oil redress either by the code Oh honor or
The Constitution. But should the House refuse TO
take any action thereon, this would be but the be-
yining of the evil.
He concluded by drawing glowing picture Of
he probable consequences Of suffering sn-h at
acks to 90 unnoiiced and UNPUBLISHED. lie also
made some very pointed remarks on the fact, tina,
lie debate alluded TO took place five weeks ago,
md that the publication did not appear until yes
erday.
Mr. Jenifer followed Mp. and commented up
IN the publication. The fact was, he said, that
me Of the members Of this House had charged two
members of the body with being "scoundreis ana
wards" The charge was either true OF iaise-
The member from North CarolIna-Nr Stanley
vas either sscoundrel' and "iiar, or tho
member making the charge had told faisehoco-
o with the member from Ken'ucky-Mr South
,a,e-against whom the same charges wero made
r = ~, c,rot;,a and Kentucky members