The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-16

admission, these the very words and that privilege
OF admission you are about TO take away VIII ieaVe
to senator's who would involve us in this inconsistency
to search the technical meaning OF right and privilege
and the true meaning of courtesy seek such thing
not be led into subtitle distinctions, the sgni-
fcaton of this of that word find we are about to
expe the editors OF the Union from the power OF entering
upon the floor of this hall recognised in the resolution
that il is worth expulsion, il is worth enjoyment
You then taking from them something they possess
and In doing so, you in fact Furnishing them lhat
essence, of punishment, and what is that act' It is
the publication | have referred TO, and which is
dsnomnated IN the resolution public S M On pss Inc
dent that the power OF entering tins floor IS special ONE
which not granted to every Citizen because IT cannot
m the nature OF things be thus enjoyed You may grant
it, you do to certain persons; but these grants are
general, II may speak, and not special Ihey are
made, not to individuals, but to persons OF CERTAIN de-
scripon-o your own officers, to members OF the State
governments. to foreign minister's Sc while all within
the same description included, there rs no us cause
exclusion he has right right to CONSIDER himself assrieved
This is not only human nature but 1t IS IN conformity
with the equal nature of institutions II rs, then, no
say that the seats and that we may do with
them please In the first place, they are nor our
owns they belong to the people OF the United States and
only to and control And in the next place,
appropriation of them should not be arbitrary and I'M
just but regulated by reasonable principles II you eX-
cnde class so be it But to exclude one OF class
without sufficient cause, becomes case OF Individual
injury &c. in the regulation OF your grounds IT Is no DOUBT
in the power of the two houses to exclude or from
entering them. But if is not in their power to prevent
such an act being considered one Of great injustice
If your rules of admission lnconvenlent, re-
peal or modify them. 1t is matter for your dis
cretion But do not attempt, as in this case, to
justify exclusion by saying that the seats are your
own, and that you may do with them as you please
Mr. President, adj experience, here and in England,
great jealousy by the people AS to the freedom OF the
press, needs eulogy from As the air we breathe
to ss e Of bepS Whou Of
ence they would soon expire Touch the press ana you
touch the most delicate OF the political system
good deal has been said of its abuse But after all it
has always appeared to almost wonderful that this
abuse not much greater than it is The fault Is quite
much the fault OF the public as OF the press we have
not read the press would not print It ministers 10 US
and taste guides the selection itmakes But repeat,
with the unbounded freedom we enjoy 1t is surprising to
me that this evil does not prevail extensively than
does But such proceedings as these will never remove
the difficulty. You are examining the conduct OF two
effect trying them Your doors are open and the strong
est ephets are not spared In your debates There not
log house upon theverge of civilization, where the
public discussion, and these public denuncahons are
not a punishment-a heavy punishment, too-then the
heart has lost its sensb and physical pain is the only
Mr. CHALMERS said AS was one OF those who
was characterized as compatriots OF Santa Anna and
the Senate, Mr. President to few words OF explanation
of the vote intend to give this occasion. | do not
mean TO deny to the Senate full power over every one
who is properly subject to the rules which the body may
prescribe for its government and protection Within
these walls the Senate is supreme its authority to pre-
scribe rules for its proceedings for its protection Tor its
ORDER and for the punishment of those who violate them
and whoever within these walls by right by cour
tesy or by privilege is subject to them to the fullest
extent And desire distinctly and emphatically to
say that the freedom of the press can exempt no,
from the essential and inherent power OF this body
and still less can any one who may suppose to be con;
himself for their violation under the provision OF the
constitution which prohibits the passage Of any law
effect would virtually and in effect destroy the liberty OF
speech, and the independence of deliberaon OF this
controlling ali who come within this chamber, and the
right to exclude them for violating its rules its order or
its dignity appeal to senators all Sides if the offence
Florida, is such as calls upon the Senate to exer-
else this power. Mr.. President, do not think is
regret this publication has been brought to the
notice Of the Senate regretted it at the time, and every
thing which has occurred since has served to strengthen
this conviction 1t has excited personal and political
feeling here unfavorabe that harmony in our inter
course which essential to the conduct and despatch
of the public business of the country consider the
publication unworthy of the notice of this body and that
the Senate would better consult its true dignity by taking
no notice of il than in attempting to protect its dignity
by excluding the editor of the Union from the seat which
he has occupied here by our courtesy : For my own
part, sir, the senator from North Carolina mir.
me as the idle wind / voted for striking out
the proviso of the bill as it came from the
House of Representatives, giving the President the
appointment of the military officers, upon fixed belief
that il was violation of the constitution have the
satisfaction of conscientious conviction of the correct
ness OF that vote and am perfectly willing, if the ed
tor chooses that he shall make issue with any
where as to the propriety and patriotism of that vote
That the publication unworthy OF the notice OF this
grave body my opinion when introduced, and If
still But if the editor desires to make an issue with me,
for my vote, either before this body, the people,
m frppfo do Thn foctco To-
bate freely spread out and am perfectly willing to leave
it to the public to decide whether voting against the pro-
ylsO of the bill makes me the friend of Mexico COM
patriot Of Santa Anna and Ampudia.
Mr. BRIGHT said propose to draw comparison be-
tween the language of the senator from Florida this
and the two houses of Congress- and that which has been
termed the libellons article in the 'Union."
Mr. WEBSTER. Mr. President!
Mr. BRIGHT. | yield the floor.
Mr. WEBSTER. If the senator will allow me, in the
spirit of perfect Kindness would suggest that it is not IN
order to make any such comparison as he proposes
is we-known rule in the Senate, that make
comparisons disrespecful to members member is al
ways privileged say what he pleases, and cannot be
called to account for what he says here make this
suggestion in all kindness.
Mr. BRIGHT. | accept it in the same spirit will
relieve the senator from any fear of the violation OF or
der by saying that will respass any rule OF this
stand that the editor of the Union is charged with pub
fishing libel and that the libel consists in comprising
members of the Senate with the foreign enemy
That is its substance Now, understand that the sena
from Florida, this morning. said that he believed
the people OF the United States knew Of the fraud and
Senate and House of Representatives of the United States
xpnud and them all INTO