The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-09-18


but the previous question had been called he did
not think il would be in order.
| Mr.. ADAMS moved to lay the report upon the ia
bic. A call Of the House was now ordered; but be-
| fore the absentees were called through
Mr.. CHAPMAN, Of Alabama moved that all
further proceedings in the call be dispensed with
| The House so ordered it without count.
| The question then taken on the motion for the
| previous question; and decided in the negative
| So there was NOT a second.
| A very long and excited debate, running through
the space Of four hours and assuming at times very
personal aspect, ensued; in which Messrs. ADAMS,
WARREN, Boris, sALT6NsT nnI PROF PaoF
| FIT, HOPKINS, MARSHALL, ARNOLD, UNI
DERWOoD, and STUART, participated. Ii
| The proceedings were follows: ea a.. IS.
Mr.. WARREN desired to offer an amendment
providing for the expulsion of Mr. WISE, and in
structing the Clerk to inform the Governor of Vir-
ginia thereof. This resolution was not left by Mr.
WARREN at the Clocks table, and is in possession
of the Reporter. II was subsequently withdrawn.
And in explanation of his reasons for Offering this
resolution, Mr. WARREN remarked that almost all the
ARRAYS which had taken place in the House had been
between members from the South and Southwest
whilst those coming from the Northern and Eastern
parts OF the Union were very much opposed TO them,
as all should be; so that he felt himself bound to
send the proposition he had already done the table
with view of preventing the recurrence of such
scene as had occurred on Thursday. Having done
this, whatever might be the fate of it, he should wash
his hands of the whole matter. He knew that his
| constituents were highly indignant at the enactment
of these disgraceul scenes and desired the existence
OF better state Of things in Congress- If he
TO give his assent to them, he would in for his
share of the defamation which attached to this House.
He agreed with the gentleman from Tennessee that,
when one member struck another the last was bound
| TO retaiate; there was discretion Mr.. w. said,
in reference TO the disturbances Thursday, be be-
| lieved they were indebted to the resolution and
strength OF members, and to the position of the
L hal nm hat he finn
of Of the bloodiest riots that had taken place
| in the civilized world. Were they, he asked, to 60
and counenance these riots until they should that
floor deluged in blood2 He trusted not and he for
had drawn up this resolution in anticipation of this
report being made and which he had intended TO offer
as privileged question r., III, 5,... l,sas.. .,-
| Mr.. Bolts proposed to strike out the first and
second resolutions and to adopt the report with the
Mr.. CARUTHERs moved to amend the first re-
solution by adding at the end thereof the words
| " Henry A. WISE" "5a Z @s,n., So. "a.
| Mr., BOYD moved to lay the whole subject on the
table. ~ 49,.
| On which motion the yeas and nays were asked
and ordered and, being taken, were-Yeas ~,
! nays 80. SO n, a- 24 .e'aa..t s... B;
So the House refused to lay the whole subject on
| the table. '.. .r
And the question recurring on the amendment of
| MI. CARUTHERs- u H1-..@.-
| Mr.. MOORE of La, suggested an amenement
Ii
view of the apology made by Mr. WIsE,) but had not
an opportunity 10 offer it formally II. SD s4 sg..
| Mr.. ARNOLD offered an amendment which, as
subsequently modified by him the suggestion of Mr..
PoPE, read as follows: n 4@ 3.~-# .'aAJ .
| Resoloed, therefore, That the Hon. Henry A. WISE
knowledged his offence and asked pardon Of the House
alt further proceedings TO the subject be dis
| continued .Cr r.. p "is Y -:n~.
Mr. CALHOUN Chairman of the Select Commit
tee the Rues) understood to suggest that that
committee had reported provision to meet cases of
| breach Of privilege for the time to come.
Mr.. PROFFIT moved to recommit the report in
order to enable the committee to make such a as
would better meet the views Of the House
| Mr.. STUART moved to amend the motion of Mr..
P. by adding thereto the following instructions:
That, rs the Hon. Henry A. Wise, who was the
assalant of the Hon. E. Stanly on the floor OF the
House Of Representatives the 9th instant has made
the proper Acknowledgements to the House. and the
controversy between the parties has been amicaby
and honorably adjusted: ..., u 4,-.. t.....,.t
Resolped, therefore, That all further proceedings
on the part Of this House, in regard 10 said assault be
discontinued. a,.. ''' s 1"#
Mr. PROFIT accepted the mod ication.
Mr.. ARNOLD asked the yeas and nays which
were ordered. ....s
In the course ofthe debate
Mr.. WISE. in few brief sentek ices, repeated the
expressions of apology heretofore tndered by him to
the House. and expressed his es desire that no
censure should fall the gentleman from North Ca
d: rolina (Mr Stanly.) 49, ...,. .. 4 E&S&,s ST. b
o. Mr.. STANLY said: Mr.. Spealtr, feel compelled
e to say q word And now, sir, Jter what has been
e said by the gentleman from Virginia, MIR. Wise
am at liberty to say more than hhelto stated. .
: In the remarks | made which gave offence to the
y gentleman from Virginia, nothing was further from
my thoughts than any design to dive offence. have
never in The course of my life in public in private,
spoken more sportively than did in the remarks |
made which seemed most uncon ciously to me- to Of
: fend the gentleman ! was nevetin better humor.
Sir there circumstances in sonnexon with this
affair which do not feel willi4 10 reveal. Let 1t
: pass. "a. ..r 1925 '.'' rs
: Mr.. Speaker, have uniformly in public and in
private spoken Of the gentlema from Virginia in the
terms of commendation which his services justified
and required My public speech show it, Yes, sir;
g l have defended him while soae seeking favor
have vilifed him. The harshest remarks ever made
e Of that gentleman were made in his own chamber,
. when he and were alone facs to face, gentlemen
It ought to speak. will say nd more on this part OF
Q the subject.
most deeply and sincerely regret Mr. Speaker
that my should be associted with the recollec
e ton of such occurrence. But cannot help it.
do, however, object if the House will pardon me
for saying So that there should be any appearance OF
a disposition the part of ths House TO concur ia
the report 1 have asked the chairman of the com
mtee (Mr. IngersolD il the port rep1imanded me
. He answered me, 81 do not know" asked If the
committee intended TO repri1and me. He said nc
"coud not tell: each man who reads must judge fol
7 himself" This understood the chairman to say,
Now, sir, my constituents will not know whether
am reprmanded or not This will place me in the
/, most painful situation. b. t.'5 -. ' ~-s4..-s
am accountable to my constituents, from whom
have received greater honors and more favors than
| can adequately thank them for. l am, above al
things anxious to their good opinion. If this
report goes to them, il will appear was reprimanded
have no hesitation in saying, Mr. Speaker, that my
mind is made up. If am reprimanded by this House
my resignation of seat on thsfoor is Immediately
placed in your hands would not sit here one hour
after such vote 1 should return home to the honest
} men by whose authority came here, and ask re-
election publication at their hands before took my
seat again. No, Mr.. Speaker if thought there was
one member that committee with whom have beer
! associated for years past who thought deserved
to be reprmanded would not bold my seat here
attained the distinction Of being here by no
norable means, at the hands Of honorable men.