The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-17

ful paroxysm of eloquence as to the wrongs
which had been done to the people of Kansas
had said that the Senator from Massachusetts
was stricken down in consequence of his plead
lng in behalf of the injured inhabitants of that
Territory. MIR. Orr knew that such an impress
sion had been attempted to be produced upon
the public mind; but the statement was not
warranted by the facts.
With reference to personalities, he would say
that he had been here seven years, and never
had had personal controversy with single
member upon the floor of the House. He had
never had occasion to indulge in invective
either against individuals or against States
and whenever he should feel himself authorized
TODD so, he would hold himself responsible fol
it, out of the House, as we'll as in the House
There was no other rule that could be laid down
which gave honorable men security against the
libels of foul-mouthed sland{hr who might
choose to indulge himself in the privileges which
he enjoyed as a member of the Senate or of the
House. DIR. Franklin was right in what he had
said; and was it not q frequent occurrence tina,
editors received proper reward for their Sian
ders? Yet this was just as great an invasion
OF the liberty of the press as had been commit
ted by his colleague in his assault upon the
Senator from Massachusetts,.
He believed that the object was to operate
upon the public mind with reference to the ap
preaching election. This morning, over eighty
members of the House had voted to print one
hundred thousand copies of the reports of the
committee at the public expense, showing that
this report was intended as an electioneerinp
document, to be- scattered over the North to as
siit the Republican party.
Mr.. Hickman, of Pennsylvania. l voted
against the amendment of the gentleman from
Georgia to limit the number to ten thousand
Does the gentleman say | voted for it as an
electoneering document to assist the Repub
lean party?
Mr.. Orr. All have to say in reply to the
gentleman is, that if he has no utilization with
the Republican party, his public position is
very much misunderstood throughout the coun-
try.
Mr.. Hickman. And l say
Carolina yield the floor?
Mr.. Orr. The gentleman from PENNSYLVANIA
can reply, if | have said anything that touches
hun.
Mr.. Nichols, of Ohio. Will objection to these
interruptions during the progress of this dis
crssion prevent them?
The Speaker. 1t will.
Mr.. Nichols. Then l give notice that will
inerpose objection to all interruptions.
Mr.. Orr, (continuing.l This is a part of a
system to int1ame the public mind; and if the
gentleman voted for it, then he gave a vote
perhaps without intending it, the effect of which
was to affect the party to which he processes to
belong.
Mr.. Hickman. Mr.. Speaker
Cries of I" order" and hear him."
Mr.. Nichols objected to any interruption.
MIR. Orr then entered into an elaborate re-
view of the report and the testimony, for the
purpose of showing, as he remarked, that there
was either very strong prejudice upon the
part of gentlemen composing the committee, or
else they appeared to have In view the prepa
ration of document which would be of grea,
service pending the Presidential election.
Mr.. Comins, of Massachusetts, then obtained
the floor; when, at quarter past four o'clock,
the House adjourned.
Thursday, July 10, 1856.
SENATE.
The Indian appropriation bill was passed.
Mr.. Mason, from the Committee o. Foreign
Relations, reported bill to amend me act OF
last session to remodel the diplomatic and con
sSlar system of the United States; which was
made the special order for Monday next The
principal changes proposed by the bill are, to
raise the salary of the Minister to France from
$t5, 900 to SIT, 500. The Ministers to England
and France are each allowed clerk, at a sal
airy of $500.
The bill to amend the act to promote the
efficiency of the navy was then taken-up.
Several amendments we're made; among
them, one striking out the section reviving the
grade of admirals. Adjourned.
HOUSE,
The resolution asking the appointment of a
select com mittee to inquire into the subject OF
the alleged frauds in constructing public build
ings was taken up.
After debate, the resolution was passed and
Messrs. Ball, Kennett, Burnett, King, and Cad
walader, were appointed said committee.
The report of the committee On the Sumner
assault was then resumed.
Mr.. Comins said he had heard of no terms
Of condem ion of the assault which did inius-
tiee to the perpetrator. He implored every MEM
ber-every lover of peace, quiet, and order-to
joSn as one man, aud roll back the tide of ruff.
fan violence, which had become prominent and
prevalent and arrogant.
Mr.. Brooks rose to speak, but Mr.. Wakeman
and others objected. The FIRST named said mis-
object was merely to ask that order be pre-
served. The prevalent confusion prevented him
from hearing every word.
POohCh
preserve order.
Mr.. Cobb, of Georgia, said that he should not
allude to the testimony, but for the remarks Of
NJ. Qomins. The charge of the gentleman, that
the assault was made In consequence of Mr..
Summers Anti-Slavery speech, was not founded
in truth, nor. supported by the evidence. Let
gentlemen meet the issue fairly. The evidence,
that of Mr. Sumner himself, shows
that the assault was made in consequence of a
Insult offered to friend and kinsman
Of Mr.. Brooks, and an indignity cast upon the
State which Mr.. Brooks in part represents.
This was stated by Mr.. Sumner himself as the
reason given by Mr.. Brooks, at the time, for
the assault.
Mr.. c. then argued, that this was not such a
qIestion as would Justify the interference of
ths House; and that, apart from the protection
giten to members for legislative purposes, mem
bess, when they depart from these purposes to
libel their fellow citizens, are placed on the
same level, as to responsibility, with the hum
blest of their constituents.
Mr.. Pennington, of New Jersey, replied to q
portion of the remarks delivered yesterday by
Mr.. Orr. of South Carolina. If that gentleman
supposed that he (Mr. P.) had any personal or
sectional or partisan purposes to spbserve ia
ths course he had pursued in this case, he was
snSirely mistaken. He bore no spirit of per.
go,,al unkindness towards either Of the parties
IMPLICATED, and no friend of theirs could more
sincerely regret the occurrence, on their &C.
coant, than himself. But he acknowledged DC
right on the part Of the gentleman from South
Carolina to call his motives Into question. He
aesed upon his own responsibility, without &C
solntabilitY 70 the gentleman, and according
10 his own convictions of duty and, while he
sosght no personal collision with the gentle
msn, or any other member of the House, he
would tell him that if he meant to insinuate
what was not broadly asserted) that the major
ty of the committee had been actuated by the
purpose of making party capital, the charge,
70 faf as regarded himself spoke for no