Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-02-04

Mr.. ADAMS defended his position, that the re-
solution was out of orde, because consututonaliy
beyond the power of tho House to act upon IT. ana
10 give him speedy fair and impartial trial. lie hau
proceeded but little way when he was again inter-
ruped, and this time by no less person than.
Mr.. Romulus Saunders who called him to order.
What troubled him was not very apparent but II was
made quite clear TO his comprehension that It was he
and not the gentleman from Massachusetts, who was
out of order and Mr.. Ronrus Saunders was iofceu
10 resume his too hastily quilted seat -. ,,;.
Mr.. Adams proceeded. He had no, mace t ,
point of order at an earlier period Of the debate PC
cause he was willing the member from Accomac Mr'
Wise) should have an opportunity OF r!ddng iis Do
som Of that pcuous stuff with which, Tor hIee years
il had been aborng and to pour out the ln nos' VI
his gall upon him that had been so long Struggling or
utterance. II was now disg0tgcd. lie hopea inc
member was at length satisfied.
In reply to it ALL he (Mr. Az should deem 1t worth
while TO say but very little He would not go mo
history of his whole life from the cradle 10 the present
dav, to examine all he had done, good, bad ana n
different in the course of that lle he was not VII
ling thus to occupy the House with matters en,llciy
personal to himself But he would ask the House 10
recall occurrences of past years upon ha MOOR
lie asked them if they did not remember tlat, "hol
a man came into that hail. his face and his hands
reeking with the blood of fellow member OF iha'
BODY and propo ton was made hat he De .'oo Nh On
that floor for the murder of which he was guilty he r
Az opposed that trial That resolution was referred
to committee who reported and recommen icd me
expulsion OF the member who had pulled the trigger
and he, the far more guilty of the Two, VINO came III
with blood-drpping hands 10 this hall stains
upon him which are vet visible to al, he was pro-
posed to be tried; and |, said Mr.. A., opposed ms
trial on the same grounds on which now oppose 'e
extra judicial proceeding before us. yes sr s'lI
Mr., Adams ''arocious us was his crme contended
that this was not the tribunal before when 10 Try II
and 10 me, sir 10 me, whom he now denouHces,
was IT, in all probability in great degree owing mat
this blood stained person was not expelled WIN quo
mny from this body. There sir is precedent lor
you in The action Of this body If 1t IS precedent you
seek Yes, sir! Look at the corsc taken upon that
subject, and then ask yourself how am to- be put
upon my trial on the accusation before you. Though
the hands OF that member wers dripping with the
blood of murdered brother''-
Mr.. Wise here interrupted Mr.. Adams. -,
MI. Adams. "Aha the gentleman is m, IS ne!
tried for the part he took in the due of Mcssrs Graves
and Cilley. He had sought trial. re would yleio
10 trial now. lie was not responsible Tor sihgl'
act connected with that affair." ercept nhch on M
friend life, the friend with whom, very reluctantly
| he had gone out And he would now take me oc
casion TO call the charge black lie, and It's uttefcr
| black traitor
Mr.; Adams. "Ths is Gharacerisa "a, ana mos
harmless efusion, Mr. Spe ker. | am used TO thes'
| .hngs. He then recommended Mr.. WIS To look a
the journals of that time and observe how the norm
ern democracy whom he now so h shly euioeiZes
voted upon those questions then. IL wouu NC Ill Gu
| flying review.
Mr. Adams then alluded to the remarks made b,
! Mr.. Marshall on introducing the resolution now be
fore that body. He took occasion to coneratnlat
that gentleman the recent reform IN MS iiapitshh
hopcd that after n short experience of the bic sings
| Temperance he would learn to be temperate IN al
things, not only in the use of the VINE cup Dut IN IN
discharge Of his duties as legislator. Meantime, n
would volunteer little advice 10 that gentleman; h
would a wise him TO go home, and 60 TO schoo
again, and stulv law and learn before he bone
back the duties and Obligations, the rights an
privileges of members of that DO y, under the cons
| luton. He has talents that may one day maze I'M
an ornament to his country but il no proof tina
those talents had been otherwise than most grossl
abused, when such a resolution rs this was INTRO
duced by the gontleman-a resolution displaying SUI
Ignorance of the constitutional! rights OF members
that flora resolution which was positive dlsgrac
to that body.
Mr.. Adams then demonstrated that he could not b
impariiay judged ly that House on any charge
made against him. constituted as it was, IN Grej
degree of Shareholders whose minds were made "
He challenged them as, jurors. He would not
tried BY them. 81 come" said he, "from Massachl
sets, whose sacred soil the foot of no slave pres
represent here the descendants of the Carvers, III
Bradfords and the Winslows of the old pilgrim cole
ny, the hardy ireemen of the free North; and a
he arragned here by Shareholders, for high reaso
because why Because | have presented n pc,
ton to this House That is my crime! And the
are my accuscrs, triers and punshers! Slaveho'de
imrariial!'
Mr. Wise here rose and INTERRUPTED this glowir
and imprisoned burst of eloquence by saying som
thing as to the why he should not vote c
this resolution; closing with n valorons expression
"loathng, contempt and scorn Tor that man '-.neal
ing Mr. Adams!
Mr.. Adams went on, calm and unruflcd by III
new assault. Mr.. Wse's opinion of him seemed
give him no kind Of uncasne's. He proceeded
protest against the contemplated action of the Hous
and then admitted that he was in its power. lit sa
fl to censure, they mus, censure if to expel, the
must expc but as for their iefraning from The att
course ont of "mercy and grace" as the resoluii0
declared, he would spurn Their proiier with dl dan
: He deed them to do their worst On this pre,ext.
. had constituents, he would remind them, to who
he could 90 and who would have voice in this ma
ter and sooner than they might desire his presel
denouncers would find him among them again!
IT. (he would add il he was to be tried by this pa
tia and prejudced tribunal, however, one thing
woula demand, and he warned them 10 take heel no
they refused him his demand. lie clan&l to be hea
, fully on the merits o! the accusation, and not TO
2 made TO sit down, as BEFORE when coming to Il
4 most deci i've proofs OF his propositions.
Mr. Marshall sail few words. He was not
good lawyer, he knew, as he ought to be, but
had law enough t. make him surprised at a portion
Mr. A IS remarks. The resolution did not accuse hi
of crimes, but only the petitioners contempt
the House in the accusation against him, for lendi
himself the Vehicle TO bring IN this lous petite
r During this explanation, Mr.. Marshall WIS handel
, note by Judge Thruson Of the District Cont, he
g who occupied members seat during the deba
Mr. Marshall read the note and it was to the folio
ing effect Turn to the case OF John Smith, Sena
: OF the United States, who was expelled from the 5
:, nate on Mr.. Adams resolution How does this co
+ port with Mr.. A. IS present opinions to the propr
Of ths proceeding Mr.. NJ. read the note.
l.. Lney nothing of the facts The gentleman fr,
Massachusetts probably did.
d Mr. ADAMS rose quickly and said So it seer
II Mr.. Speaker that the combined and accumuat
talents and a. iliiies OF gentlemen upon this floor
= crush and to ruin me, if possible not enough
they must resort 10 the aid Of dirty pimps ana Il
l. scurvy notes, handed in by secret and anonym,
lie sanderers Sir! Look at the of John Smith
l. YOU please Take it precedent for your actor
'e The case before you | shall be content!" And II
'e he went on TO show that Smith not expelled
all that having been implicated in the Burr cons
l. racy and shown by due process oflar, 10 be pu
| of NAL practices, his case was investigated by the
nate He had long patient, fair trial of his ca Sc
a committee of the Senate, with testimony and COZ
sci, ard Mr.. Adams being the charma II of the co
r mlttee reported a resolution tina, he was guilty.
Is he was not expelled, The req lste number Y
wanting; and the next day Mr. Smith resigned
lie seat. lie was quite willing that this case OF Sn
s. should be taken as preceden, here, And here
X Adams rc umed his scat.
n EARTHQUAKE IN KENTUcLY.-On the eve