Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-07-31

out O" order. If before the transaction for
which majority have declared me to be de-
serving expulsion, have offended any officer
or member, or been unkind even to an en-
ployee, regret and am ignorant of it.
And yet, sir the vote which has just been
taken transmits me to posterity as man un-
worthy, in the judgment of majority Of my
peers, of seat in this Hall. And for what?
The member from New Jersey, Mr.. Pen
uington, ,)-.the prosecuting member--the
thumb-papcr member laughter ]-the Fall
statfian member, who, like his prototype, was
horn about four clock in the morning, aud
if he has not the bald head, is graced with
the corporal rotuhdity great tlaughtcf] of his
predecessor upon his advent into this sublu-
|, nary world-hc says it was for making a
'anilrderous' assault with "bludgeon y
and he, forsooth, would have this House and
the country believe, with an intent to kill.
Now, sir, l see that a very respectable and
excellent gentleman from Massachusetts has
in his hand cane of the ordinary size for a
gentleman of his age, and beg him TO raise
it for the inspection of the member from
New Jersey, 1ir De Witt elevated his cane
Now, sir, ask that member to answer as a
gentleman-I beg his pardon, that is a word
which he cannot comprchcnd-but as a man
on the witness stand, is not that cane double
the weight and thickness of the one used by
me, aud which you have impudently and
falsely called "bludgeou %
Mr.. Tmfton, Gntcrrupting) I have no.
ticel several interruptions in the galleries
during this discussion, and wish to move
that the Sergcant-at- Arms be directed to
clear the galleries Hissesin the galleries. |
Mr.. Wheeler. | object.
The Speaker The motion is not in or
der. The Chair announced some time since,
that if there was any further disturbance,
the Scrgeant,at-A Arms would have orders to
clear the galleries.
Mr.. Brooks. again appeal to my friends
in the galleries to be quiet.
The Speaker. Order must be preserved
Mr.. Brooks, (rcsuming) If I desired
to kill the Senator, why did not I do it p
\ on all admit that had him in my power
Let me tell the member from New Jersey
that it was expressly to avoid taking life that
| used an ordinary cane, presented to me by
n friend in Baltimore, ncarl y three months be-
fore its application to the ''bare head of the
Massachusetts Senator. Invent to work very
deliberately, as am charged-and this is
admitted-and speculated somewhat as to
whether should, employ horscwhip or a
cowhidc; but knowing that the Senator was
my superior in strength it occurred to me
that he might wrcst it from my hand, and
then-for [ never attempt anything do not
pcrform-l might have been compelled to do
that which would have regretted the bal
ance OF my natural life. -
The question has been asked in certain
newspapers, why did not invite the Scna-
tor TO personal combat in the mode usually
adopted. Well, sir, as I desire the whole
truth TO be known about the matter, will
FOR once notice a newspaper article on the
floor of the House, and answer here.
My answer is, that knew that the Sena-
tor would not accept message and having
formed the unalterable determination to pun
ish him, I believe that the offence Of "scnd-
ing 4 hostile message" supeadded TO the
indictment for assault and battery, would
subject me to legal penalties more severe
than would be imposed for simple assault
; and battery.
That is ny answer.
For this act, which the Senate, with the
solitary exception Of Il distinguished gentle
man from Georgia, Mr. Toombs,] have
pronounced me guilty of breach of its
privilcgcs-for the act | am complained of
by that body to this House. Your commit
tee have declared, and this House has now
concurrcd in the opinion, that my offence is
to the Senate and that no rule or order of
this body have violated.
Now, sir, let me ask why the Senate did
not protect its own rights: The argument
has been made here that, cr nccc&$itnic, this
House must have the power to protect itself
If that principle be true in its application
here, why has not the Senate the same pow
crs of protection? But what right has this
House to punish me for offences committed
out of its presence? Again, sir, | challenge
comparison with any member, aged or young
pious or not, as to the propricty of my de-
meanor as gentleman and Il member. They
tell me that my responsibility to this House
is because of the general responsibility which
attaches to every member. How far does
your authority extend? Across the Poto-
mac To my own home Why, sir, if I
90 to my home and find that one of my slaves
has behaved badly in my absence, and | di-
rect him to be logged, may be charged
with-to use the language which is familiar
hcrc-t'crimc the hlacEcst and most heinous;"
and when [ come back-and come back l
wiIl--may be punished myself for inAicting
4 chastisement which, by the common law
and the constitutional laws of my country, I
have the right to inAict upon my slave, who
is my property. Where do You stop in this
question of authority of the House over its
members? As we understand it, there is
sense in this authority controlling member
while the House is in session and restraining
him from disturbing or cmbarrassingits pro-
cccdings.
If the Government was constitutionally
administered, every citizen would have di-
Il. ID