The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-17

arraigned before the Senate of the United States for
structures published in his paper upon the proceedings OF
that branch of Congress, discussion to the
power OF that body try and punish citizens for the ex
pressons of their opinions upon the acten of the
tona legislature.
The celebrated Charles Pinckney, revolutionary pa
triot, was then senator from South Carolina,
having previously been governor member of Congress-
and of the federal convention, and president of the
State convention In those days, no more
celebrated for intelligence and patriotism. 1t was this
distinguished patriot and statesman, OF South Carolina
who introduced into the Senate the following preamble
and resolution, denying TO that body The constitutional
pouer Of arragning and Furnishing american citizen,
for the free uAranee Of their sentiments reat're 10 the
conduct Of their public servants;
Whereas the constitution of the United States has ex.
presy declared, That the powers delegated the Uni
ted States by the constitution nor Prohlbed by IT 10 the
pic And whereas, to prevenfany attempt being made
The part of either branch of Congress, to define heii
own privileges and exercise the same occasion
or circumstances may, their opinion require and
move all doubts as to the extent and exercise OF the PRIV
Expressly limited and defined The same by declaring thai
each house shall be the judge of the elections returns and
the attendance of absent members in such manner, and
under such penalties each house may provide; thai
they may determine the rules Of their proceedings punish
the members disorderly behavior, and with the
renee of twothirs cxpe member; that the members
both houses shall in all except treason felony,
breach Of the peace be privileged from arrest during thei
the session of their respective houses and in
going and returning from the sane and for any debate
speech i'm either house. shall not be questioned in any Other
/ places. fg
Thefors resolved, That the constitution of the Uni
ted States does either branch of Congress any
other powers the subject of privilege, than those
toned and limited and defined therein; therefore,
sumo other privilege, would be TO diminish tue rights
Of the people expressly reserved them by the cosiit
ton; encronc upon the given to the judicial de
pnrtinen; TO dismrnge the right OF trial by jury and c
establish the dangerous doctrine that single branch, with
their own case punish for which the oonsti
tuition has given them no power to decide"
Such was the position taken by South Cardinals sena
tor in the gloomy period Of 1900 But mark the change
Fory-seven years have since rolled round The hero,
and patriotic Pnckney is in the tomb, and John c. Cal
houn is in the Senate And what is presented
between his course and that of the lluslrous dead
John c. Calhoun, content with asserting the power
of the Senate to punish for the publication of articles
viewing IFS action and not satisfied with exercising the
right thus claimed, strikes blow at the conductor o
a free press without affording the accused OPP
portunity of being heard in his own defence Can thi
be the same John c. Calhoun who pumes himself upor
the soubriquet of "eiiuairic Cdroliaida ~