Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-06-09
The PRESS AND THE PRIVILEGES OF
CONGRESS.

at seems that some of the Northern pressrs
we're really hoaxed into the belief that North
ern Senator had been menaced in this city on
account OF h,s denunciation Of the Nebraska
bill. We are happy to be able to say that our
citizens are lnw-abiding and order-loving
people, and were in no vile moved to acts Of
discourtesy or outrage towards any public
functionary by the intemperate denuncations
Of some Of cur Administration papers"
National Mt.lhgelcer
Tho Inttligencer is good-natured, and does
no more than justice to the citizens of Wash
ington. But, it is entirely mistaken in assuming
that no violence was threatened against Mr..
Sumner Violence was threatened, and the
Washington Union, the organ" of the Presi-
dent, provoked the threat During the pro-
ceedings in the fugitive case in Boston, that
journal, in it's issue Of Sunday morning, cen
tanned an editorial fercely and wantony as
sailing Mr.. Sumner, associatng him with the
violent resistance to the execution OF the fugi-
tive act in Boston, charging him with insti-
eating and leading it on, and holding him up
us fit subject for popular Indignation. A
more wanton, unmanly, and ferocions personal
The result was, strong popular excitement
in Alexandria aud among the idlers of this
place; and in the former meeting was pri-
vately held, for the purpose Of concerning some
measures for inflicting personal indgnity upon
Mr.. Summer, or Selling and holding him as q
hostage, should the case in Boston terminate
unfavorably for the claimant. This meeting
calculated upon certain amount of co-opera-
tion in Washington.
This movement, finally discouraged by the
moro discreet citizens of Alexandria, was pre-
voked by tho incorporate articles in the Presi-
dents organ" The Pro-Slavery papers here
may try now to make merry over the matter,
as if the Senator from Massachusetts, had been
tell them, ia not easily frightened. He is an
advocate Of the Cause Of Peace, and his habits
as gentleman lead him to shrink from brawls
or brute strife on the street or in the Senate !;
but he has plenty of muscle, enough nerve for
any crieis and fully believes in the right OF
man to defend his person against violence, by
the precise amount of force that may be neces
sary. Quiet and peaceably disposed, he is not
apt to be frightened by shadow or substance,
But that violence was contemplated, and that
the halfformed purpose was provoked by the
appeals Of the Presidents organ, there can be
no d.abt. Nor haa 1t yot eaeoeoded IN curbing
its mob instincts. Mr.. Giddings, on question
Of privilege, brought to the notice of the House.
yesterday, paragraph printed in its columns
by one who signs himself IN "Old Fogyn
plainly calling for violence against himself and
those who sympathize with him on the floor of
Congress. II is a. follows:
"Those who, like the Abolition incendaries,
Parker, Phillips, Giddlngs, and others, arc in
cessantly proclaiming their hostility to the
laws and the Constitution, and stimulating
men, women. and children, to violate them fs
a sacred duty, in my opinion have no claim 10
fhe protection of those laos or that Constitution
Thev are the apostles of adition, violence, and
murder they are ferG natura-wiM beasts of
III forest, knowing no iaw and no restraint but
their oiid, ungousrnabie instincts ) and like
dastardiy midnight providers, after firing the
train sneak 10 their holes, having their aoretch-
ed dupes 10 become The victims of those acts achich
fhey themselves haze stimulated Il there no
law that can reach these cowardly incendia-
ries, who, after throwing the fcebrand, skulk
away in darkness 10 enjoy tho blazel And
are those who, on the floor Of both Houses OF
Congress openly declare thor disaffection to
that Constitution they have sworn to support
and maintain, worfhy Of a seat in the sacred
halls of legislation, iohen any act should emo
nate from that source These are questions that
must be answered sooner or later, and the sooner
the bettero
Now, we do not believe that the citizens Of
Washington are to be moved by such stuff as
this we have not the slightest apprehension
for tho safety If any Of the members 50 bru.
tally assailed but let it be remembered that
the editor of the "organ" is the printer of
the House; in other words, one Of its officers !;
and that by courtesy, he is admitted to the
floor Of the Senate. What right has an Off
Ger of the House of Representatives to Willy
any Of the members? Is not such conduct
gross breach of its privileges If tolerated,
will it not lead to the most mischievous consc-
quenccsl Ought not the House, rising above
the animosities Of partisan strife TO vindicate
its dignity, and protect its rights, by frowning
upon any Of its officers who shall dare to as
sail the character, or invite indignity to the
person, of Representative of the People,
however unpopular or obscure?
Az to tho Senate, what regard for decency
or dccorum can that man have, who after
having been admitted by courtesy to the priv
lege Of the floor, prostitutes the public press
to the most Incorporate assaults upon the
character Of several Of its members, and calls
for popular vengeance against them In ac-
cepting the courtesies Of tho Senate Chamber,
tho editor Of the Union incurred special OBJ
legation to respect tho privileges Of its mem
bers
Having violated this obligation, he deserves
to be excluded from the floor. We recollect
that former editor Of the Same paper, for an