The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-19

than any two with whom have been acquainted Bat
thai far apart fom the question Independent Of bis
ial feelings for me and his regard for his consu
ent aud senator have doubt that personal feeling
Of regard for myself individually, influenced him
disgrace him far he could but the stick broke
After II broke, he reduced to kind OF necessity
contingency not apprehended at all in the original in
cepion Of the purpose of making the assault Notwth
standing all that has been said Of his brutality be Is
Of the best-tempered fellows ever knew-impeuous
doubt and quick in resentment but he did not intend
what has been assigned 10 him.
After all that has been said and done, post beiaa'
examination, what is it2 fight in the Senate chamber
resulting in two flesh wounds which ought not 10 have
detained him from the Senate Being rather handsome
man perhaps he would not like expose himself by making
bis appearance for time but II lie had been in the
army there was no why he should not go 70 the
field the next day and he would deserve be eashered
II he did not so. What does his physician say He says
that there but two flesh wounds that he bad
fever while under his and attendance and that he
ready to into the Senate tho next day for his
advice and his advice was that hs should not come into
the Senate because it would aggrayate the excitement al
ready too high He did not recommend him not 10 go
into the committee TO be- examined on the ground
that his wounds had enieebed him. but for other consider
aons because it might aggravate the excitement already
prevailing 70 an extent which might lead TO mischieyous
consequences,
This then is the mode of redress To which Mr. BRooKs
resorted do not say what should have advised him
do, but perhaps il fortunate that absent in
respect for certainly should not have submitted that
insult Possibly II might not have been offered if were
present. though do not know the fact because cannot
say exactly what would be the Of OF those per-
sons who have way of fabrcating speeches Perhaps
being in his speech he would have had read it; but
think il possible that the appeal which would have
made on my discretion, bis friends might have induced
him to reform il in some way to conform al least TO
the requirements Of decency public opinion If
he had not done do not know what would have been
my course.
For this transaction as have detailed it, and without
the intelligence which have detailed being before Them
the legislature of Massachusetts, have their resolutions
here. These resolutions are without precedent in the
history OF this country hope other senators will speak
to them for they only insult South Carolina
and her representatives in Congress- but think they
sail the constitution OF the country Before commenting
them, be permitted to alude TO the first prece
dent of congressional fight which between two
bers from New England.
This affair said be evidence of southern violence
and southern ruanism Some papers speak of the bowie
knife and the revolver of southern blackguards Why sir
the first fight which took place in Congress between
Matthew Lyon and Roger Griswod, from Connecticut
Our ancestors in those days looked upon fight with very
little of the Importance which is attached to it. They
said it unimportan that they vexed that
much of the time Of the House occupied in consider
ing it.
1t that Matthew Lyon, originally officer in the
army, had been cashiered and awarded wooden sword
He then lived in Connecticut At that tmeand at this
tooin Connecticut there pretty pressing opinion
against low man, and he could stand it, He had TO
move over into Vermont State then the frontier OF
the country. He elected member of Congress from
Vermont He was one of the democrats suppose he was
Of the red republicans of that day against John Adamss
administration Was he democratic
Mr. FOOT. Yes sir; he was democrat.
Mr. BUTLER 1t was before the gentleman from YER
mont taught school there and Lyon assumed to be kind
of apostle of liberty and democracy Not satisfied with in
structng the people of Vermont he Mr. Grswod,
of Connecticut stood behind his seat and told him. "Sir
you do not represent Connecticut correcty know these
peoples they are mean people; they will take $1,000 as
soon as $4,000 for salary" Griswod stood for great
while Finally Lyon said ~ will 90 over to Connecti-
cut will talk to these people, and will have infu
ence upon them will show whether you ought to occupy
your scat or not" Griswoid said II hope you viii not go
with your wooden sword
He repeated this twice and after somebody suggested
to Lyon that the third time much he spit in Girls
wolds face. great hubbub raised and Lyon was
brought up suppose TO his perfect delight TO be tried
TO whether he should be expelled from the House OF Repre-
senatyes not On the following day Griswold involved
himself in difficulty without amy consideration, He
took good hickory stick and 10 Lyon He did not
give him any notice at ALL They fought with hickory
sticks and sptboxes and tongs, all the House OF
Representatives, while the House was in session.
Our hardy ancestors al that time did not think fight
of much Importance that they should take it into
rous consideration They said, let them both GO They
refused 10 expel either of them. When Mr. Randolph
struck Mr. Allstine the matter brought before the
House but of these things considered Of suf
fcient magnitude to invoke the high fuRcton of egisa
ture sending its missve TO Congress TO tell them what to
do Massachusetts, is the first TO set the example She has
not only administered reprmand to Mr. Brooks without
any evidence she has not only assumed TO pronounce
Judgment before hearing the evidence like jddge passing
criminal before hearing his Defence but she
has undertaken unfortunately say that she demands Of
the Congress Of the United States TO carry out her behcsts
what 10 De upon
privileges Of the Senate.
Can any thing be insulting 10 the Congress Of the
United States than the spectacle Of State sending down
message its faithful Commons message that they
to pronounce this that judgment? Are we to sub
nit TO this did not wish TO make the contest; but, in
my opinion these resolutions in the terms they import
ought not TO have been received by the Senate
Taking all these things into consideration indicted as
Mr. BRooKs has been by pare accusation, without
evidence without the finding Of grand jury what
his position II his could 20 before any impair
tia tribunal and could employ counsel such as would
select probably would choose my friend from California,
mr. WELLER who lives in free State who Is impair
iial man. advocate gentleman, man Of honor and
courage.
Ha civil action we're brought by Mr. SUMNER against Mr.
BHooRs for assault and battery pledge myself that with
all the he could bring TO his command he would
be able reduce the verdict TO penny damages What
would be the state Of the pleadngs Mr. BBooEs struck
ted that he struck him, and Inflicted two flesh wounds.
Mr. SUMNER would reply, ~ senator OF the United
States aud although the Senate not in session,
10 that sacred temple and my character is sacred under
the privileges Of the Senate that not to be assaed
What would Mr.. BRooKss counsel rejoin The rejoin-
der would be- "r you had profaned and dsgraced the
seat you occupied before you struck
Then the question would be- what is this privilege so
much spoken offreedom Of debate2 The court would
anime The question whether what said was privileged
within the rules OF the Senate whether II libel "
Il should be pronounced 10 be a libel and the judge
before could show that another nsulted his mother or
his father his sister, himself his country, would
say to the who inflicted the blow "My duty is TO fine
YOU you justified by the law but II my priy
ege say that whilst will enforce the law and maintain
its dignity, shall hne you as small sum as possibly can
within my discretion"
Now let me state the testimony In such an action ItI
ka In tha