The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-04-29

Mr.. BEouHx2n appesl~d from. this dscision
oil the Chair, asd Mr.. Toombs sustained the APP
peal, though hsb,i objection, he said, to the
investigation. Tie had no objection that the
whole question involved should come mp and be
now settled. los.g .
/ Mr.. SINS explained the constitution and the
manual Of Mr.. Jefferson, and insisted that the
only privileges Of members were freedom from
arrest, and that they should not be held amen
able for words spoken in debate
Mr.. WOODWARD insisted that there was no law
which gave TO members out Of the House higher
| privileges than 10 other citizens. The laws Of
the District protected members as well as eiti-
zens, out Of this House.
Mr.. j. X. IsGERsoLL believed that the decs-
ION OF the Chair was correct, and II would then
be for the House TO decide whether the resou-
tons should be adopted. He contended that, as
In England, Congress has power to protect its
members, and going 10 and returning from the
House, from rnobs, or any invasion whatever.
Mr.. DUER insisted that Congress had the pow
er TO protect its own members.
Mr.. BEDIsGER said that the preamble did not
state that member Of this House had been sc
tually menaced, but that "common rumor,"
with her thousand lying tongues, had so stated.
They were not sent there to attend to the ''com-
mon rumors" which were every day put in cir
cuation in reference TO members Of that House.
Mr.. GAYLE insisted that the resolutions should
specify such facts as would warrant the arrest
and punishment Of an offender.
After some further remarks from Messrs. Vim
ton and BOYD,
MI. BowDES, OF Alabama, said that no facts
We're stated to warrant the allegation Of menace.
IL was known that great excitement had existed;
that mob had collected, and property had been
Inyaded-but hey had nothing but runior upon
which to base the allegation Of menace towards
members Of this House.
In attempting to indicate its own dignity, the
House shouldbe careful not to fix upon itself
reproach. II might be that members Of that
House had so involved themselves as to ldown
the menaces complained Of. II may be that
they have gone so far as TO render necessary, an
investigation into their conduct.
Mr.. HARALsoS argued the merits Of the ques-
ton. In conclusion, he said that il would be
more appropriate investigation to ascertain
whether the reports were true that members of
this House had had some hand, directly or indi-
rectly, in the attempt to deprive the people Of
this District Of their property.
Mr.. PALFREy suggested that the gentleman
should offer this mendment to the reso-
lutions.
After some further remarks from Messrs. Bar
ringer, Stephens, Cobb, Meade, Haskell, Bayly,
and Stuart, the appeal was laid on the table;
and the resolutions being again read,
Mr.. VENABIE addressed the House their
merits He was very severe on the "fanatics
and hypocrites'' who sneer at the institutions
of the South, and expressed his gratitude TO
those Northern democrats who had stood by the
South on the Slavery question. In the course
Of his remarks, he alluded to the visit yesterday
to the prison Of members Of this House, which
called up
Mr.. GIDDISGs, who said that If the gentleman
alluded 10 him, he prepared to say that he
did visit the prison yesterday-that his object
was merely to assure the men implicated in a
cent event, there confined, that they should have
counsel, and fair trial. He had never know
either Of them before, and his conversation was
all in the presence Of the keeper Of the prison.
Mr.. GAYLE inquired whether the gentleman
had gone there to hear the evidence, or to give
the assurance referred TO.
Mr. GIDDISGs said he went there from the
promptings Of humanity alone.
Mr.. NENABLE, in concluding his remarks, pro-
posed amendment 20 the resolutions, provi-
ding for an investigation into all the circum-
stances, and whether any member Of the House
was implicated in the recent effort to deprive
| citizens of this District Of their property.
Mr.. HASKELL inquired Of Mr.. Giddings wheth-
he justified the slaves referred to, in their at
tempt tn escape.
the members of this House 20 reply frankly and
promptly. He had no hesitation in declaring
before the assembled universe that, in the Ian
guage of the "Declaration Of Independence, -
all men were bora free aud equal. He held TO
the principle upon which our government was
7 based that all men are "horn free and equal -
and that man who stepped between him and his
God, and attempted to rob him of his life or his
liberties, he would resist unto death. To come
down TO the specific question, he would declare
before God and the universal world that they
had ths right TO free themselves from bondage.
Mr.. HASKELL inquired whether he justified
| the men who had assisted them to escape.
| Mr.. GIDDISGs. When the legally constituted
authorities impose penalties, we are bound to
obey them; aod when any disobey, they do il at
their peril. They were bound to obey, whether
these laws were just or unjust.
After some further remarks from Messrs.
4 Toombs and Morse, the House adjourned.