Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-03-23
SPEECH OF MIR. WISE.

SPEECH OF MIR. WISE.
In reply TO Mr.. Gray, (of " " on the ,esolu.
ton Of Mr.. Prentiss, to erpel Alexander Dus-
can, Of OHIO, from his seat.
Mr. SpEAKER:-
did not lrieud enter into this debate. i
have s,udiousv oiaed being drawn into it a, ALL
But the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gray
has addressed the House ,wice,and each time has
gone out of his way, on purpose, II seems, 20 at
tack me. Why, know not, care not. This,
thought, was one occasion, at least, on which
was not involve cd in the strife, and l had deter
mined not To be dragged IN. But the gentleman
seems TO be equally determined that shall not
escape. lie has first condemned, disclaimed
Justification of the conduct of his friend, Or.
| Dnncan.) and then gone aside TO allade TO my
conduct tor ITS jascation or its parallel, or pre-
cedent. When the member from Ohio shall be
put Ola his trial will fully express my Judgment
upon him by nay vote; but do not TO do
now. If, however, he has done wrong, how can
any prev ous acts Of mine justify him, aud why
am thus unnecessarily and wantonly cited as an
example justify his wrongs by the gcntelman
from New York? The gentleman can say, and
pause for him to explain what his purpose was.
/ Here Mr.. Gray interposed. He had confined him
self a simple statement of facts, without tho
least intention To offend or inlare any one. IL
what he had stated fact, and II II was leSit-
isnatey introduced as an illustration OF any po-
stion which Mr.. G.. had taken, the gentleman
. from Virginia was not warranted To iner any I'M
proper in tenton the part OF Mr. q. III alluding
TO H.
, MIR. Wise resumed. The gentleman said he
was bound by his code Of morals TO condemn the
member from OHIO, but then Immediately quoted
my acts to justify what, according to his princi-
(; pies was unjust,tiable. ne gentleman alluded
+, to the Clcy affair. Sir, VOW does that matter
stand? 1t is a yet to be cited until II IS
!, adudged? Is it especially fit aud proper that
), gentleman, who may be called immediately to
sit upon it in Judgment, shall PREJUDICE i,and de-
g eide the very issues of law and fact involved be-
;, fore q hearingl
70 Sir, this gives me opportunity which has, up
r to this moment, been Enthusiastically with
:, held from mc-.o say word about that affair
b Hitherto have been silently awaiting trial be-
+ fore my peers, whist, many of them have been
), circulating SANDER, with all the bitterness Of mall
- ice from ono extreme Of the country TO the other
~ They have withheld from q fair trial--any
20 trial at a-and have by tho press, appealed to
~ every passion and prejudice, to condemn me
= without hearing the opportunity Of defence.
Such, in part, is the attempt of the gentleman
from New York noy If my case is hrst on the
caenoar, as he has said, he should not ai'ude TO
j, excep, to call tup for trial. ! am ready to be
II tried. have been waiting anxiously for trial.
CT Put me at your BAR and will plead instantly. /
a. am ready to say the spo,I did that OCCASION
a. Just what will do again under similar crcumstan-
ces. Let Purians shudder as they may here
y proclaim that helong TO the class Of the Cava-
IT, ers, not to the Rpundheads! The parties met ON
Of point Of honor and veracity-they fought
#, fought Gairy--one fell--and his fate might have
been that of my frIcnd-it a wonder it was
not | was present,a second-I am omenabe to
the laws Of Maryland upon Indictment; and am
or ready to submit to any trial by this House for
n. breach Of its privileges. have again and again
nj demanded trial desire it, | seek il. I court
A. the sentence of the House. repeat that many
i'll of yon have propagated the vilest ISLANDERS con-
he corning my conduct in that affair. l have been
en- stgmatized as murderer; and yet l challenge
&C. you oh! Just and righteous ludges who have thus
CT demeaned yourselves In your high seats Of JUS
10 tice, to try me for what many of you have CON
m demned me already. The gentleman has him.
or self named the horrid word-murder! Murder!-
Gu Sir, there two sorts Of murder There is one
an description Of that offence which deserves the
On hangn.n's knot. There is in another form o.
-, nurder-muf1er by the law--which public sen
la timent-higher thsn the law, The great law breaI
ig- er-defnes to be honorable. Which does. tn,
ada gentleman mean!
his [Mr Gray subsequently said he meant ,ha
es simply which murder by the lam, and did 10
,ys impute any thing dishonorabe in the Cie,
fits duel
nile By the latter, life is taken by mutual consen
led, with noticc--openly, farly-by equal mod
IN prescribed, ii happens in this by the part
Of who feil-always prescribed, in a duel proper,
ent gentlemen. Now, sir, by the latter mode wa
ket. Cacy murdered-fairy honoraby Who her
'ey- can gainsay III None--no, not one Of his ow
ndi- friends, who the guardians Of his life, Wi
say he fell foully. He died on the field of homo
ap and here say, in the face of Heaven, before u
ave throne of the Aimigh,y-in His dread presen,
heir who sits thereon-,hat can go, with the false
less, most faithful friends he ct on earth and tou
this the bleeding wounds Of Cey with al clear CO
Of science any of them, the basest the best
anne Some Of his pretended friends have never y
a,es been arragned; they have never yet been call
vice TO account, though the most deeply involved
ngs the guilt Of his death, if there WAS guilt at
ange say II here openiy--to the pretended friends
ness, CIlley-they should be hso responsible tor
e, in death. did my lawful duty to my friend, 4
Ev- thank gracious Providence he lives, and !
v or conscience is at ease. For my vndication ii
CIV in enough when the chairman Of your commit
e rms On that duel Mr. Ioucey) enphaticay oecia
act of on this floor that there rds not sctnfilid
II the proof that any thing dshonorobte rds done n
HEM the field Of that combat. When that was adn
black ted, was satisfied. And now defy any mi
diving Der of that committee hero present to rise