The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-05-25

tons governments no such forfeiture takes place. ex-
cept for die and in the mode pointed out 10 mo
Constitution itself NN
la the present case the majority did not seem 70
consider the public business a. suffering by my absence
nor claim right, unknown Ihe Constitution, TO Tor
felt my seat else they would have declared u vacant
before the adjournment and given my constituents
election during the vacation, so that they might be
represented ia the present session No intmaiiou OF
vacancv, no step to supply IT, was taken, until ] APP
pearad 10 take the oath and sse the Office The Honse
therefore, rather anxious 10 create than 10 sup
! ply vacancy,
I need hardly notice the allegation OF the misnser
Of Office which have been prevented from using at
all
The right to exclude member elect for speaking
| or writing contemptuonsy OF the House or It's pro-
ceedings is a novel and dangerous position. Until
N ember elect has taken the requisite oahs, he can
participate 10 the proceedings OF The House.
Is he any more subject 10 It's jurisdiction, than
private citizen. Individuals may be punished by the
House for corrupt attempts upon It's integrity by at
tempting TO bride It's members or for disturbing and
inierrnpling It's proceedings, as 10 the ca OIL The
December mob, but not for any written or printed
comments on It's proceedings, however severe. The
sixth section Of the ninth article lhe Declaration OF
Rights OF the Constitution declares that the print
ing press shall be free To every person who under
takes 10 examine the proceedings OF the Legislature
or any branch OF Government and no law shall ever
be made 10 restrain the right thereof" Any thing
which may have published. therefore, Is not sub
ject to your supervision If the Constitution be yet
| considered as existing
II were an admitted member and should demean
myself indecorously and disorderiy towards thai bJ-
| dy, the House has The power Of expulsion And IL
calling il an "legaliy organized body-ihe offspring
OF mob" as was commended in debate, be sufficient
cause for expulsion, think may safely promise to
furnish an excuse for that alter my adms-
| sion. do consider The Hopkins House" "usurp-
ing body but like all other llsurpers having pos
session OF the Government de Jacfo, its acts will be
binding, for good or evil, on the State. Hence my
consti uents have thought proper ask me 10 take
my seat, and aiiempt 10 moderate an evil which Is
now without remedy.
lfthe committee should occupy the ground point
ed out by the oi the resolution and sit in iudg-
ment upon the decency and morality OF my conduct
must sill further object TO The tribunal. 1 mean
no disreSpect 10 the commiltee for majority Of them
feel high reg I'd but the whole question their
report will be ag in in the power Of the majority Of
The House, and Cannot agree 10 admit the ntellec
tual, moral, or habual competency of Thos B. Nc
Elwee, his conpeers, coadjutoTs and followers, to
decide question Of decency and morals
For myself personally feel no anxiety for the re-
suit OF this inquiry, or the reasons which may be
given for H. and 10 put which upon the journal pre-
sumo was the chief object oiihis proceeding. My
only anxiety Is that the Constitution may not be fur
Their violated, and that the people may YET have
ground TO hope that Liberty, although deeply wound
ed, may not expire.
| owe my Acknowledgements to the committee for
their prompt attention to this business and trust it
may be speedily finished
With proper respect, your obedien, servant,
THADDEUS STEVENS.
CHARLES W. HEoINs, Esq. Chairman Commiltee, &c.