Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-08-16

Mr.. SrEAKER: feel oppressed with the respon
sbity under which we are acting. Constituting
this high udicatory Of the nation, we are sitting
| in Judgment upon fellow member. The eyes
of the people are upon us, and the attention o.
civilized nations is directed towards us. We are
about to discharge the highest, the most solemn
duty, to our Government, to the cause OF Freedom
and of Human Progress, which viii. probably evel
devolvc upon us. On every hand we are admonish
ed to dvest ourselves of every feeling OF partizar
attachments; and bringing with US all the inteli
gonce prudence, patriotism, and justice, we car
command we should approach the question in the
| light of that wisdom which shall guide us to just
and proper conclusion.
The accused is Il member of our body. Oul
sympathics for him, at this most trying period
cannot and ought not to be withheld. Gentlemen
have spoken of personal feelings. If | were
conscious of harboring unkind feelings toward,
any human being, should myself feel most un
happy. That man is morally disqualified to dis
charge the duties of Il statesman, who can look
upon any person in distress with other emotion,
than those who elevate and ennoblo our common
nature.
| speak with more than ordinary feelings. FIf
teen years since, was first arraigned before hi5
peers of this House. | then stood where the ac
cused now stands but under q dihoront charge
and under different circumstances. l was denied
the freedom of speech not permitted to defend my
in my behalf | was condemned and driven from
my seat under an inexorable tyranny, which thank
God, is unknown at the present time. tender tO
the accused the kindest sympathies of my heart
Sooner should my own right arm be torn from its
socket than would see him treated as | was dealt
with. | would deal out to him the same measure
of justice that would to son or brother. In
deed he is my brother; for recognize God as our
common father, and mankind as my brethren. His
happiness is as dear TO my heart as that OF any
other individual outside the circle of personal
friends.
While these are my feelings towards the accus
ed, recognize also, the stern obligations which
owe to the Constitution of my country, TO the poo-
pie of these States, to Christianity and to CiViliza
ton.
Gentlemen next meet us with the argument that
this body cannot punish its members for contempt
or for offences or disorderly conduct, unless we
shall have defined the crime and prescribed the
pcnalsy by exiting rules or statute
This peipt has been often argued, perhaps may
say 1t has beea brought forward in almost every
case since the time of Jefferson, but never success
fully. 1t has also been fully met by the gentle
man referred to. They have placed it in such
clear and distinct light that it would appear very
little remains to be said upon it. would, how
ever. add that we are here as the Representatives
of the people, for the purpose of legslating cloth
ed with the necessary power to discharge that duty
We are at all times equally supreme. We may
make law to-day and repeal it tomorrow. We
may establish rules to-day, and repudiate them at
our next sitting. Our only law is that great fun
damental law, the Constitution; and the only court
in which our errors can be reviewed or corrected,
is the enlightened tribunal of popular opinion,
where retributiye Justice is dealt out to and to
those whom We Judge. We should bear in mind
that we are not sitting as R's' PrtaS court hold