The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-07-31

have rendered prompt and implicit obedi-
ence to its constituted authorities, and / can
truly say that which many who have recor-
ded their votes against mo cannot-and
that is, that never once, in the three years
that l have held seat on this floor, have
been declared out Of order. If before the
transaction, for which a majority have de-
clared me to he deserving expulsion, have
offended any officer or member, or been
unkind even to nn employee, regret and
am ignorant of it.
And yet, sir, the vote which has just been
taken transmits me to rosterity as a man
unworthy, in the Judgment of majority
of my peers, of a seat in this hail. And
for what! The member from New Jersey,
(Mr. Pennington)-tle prosecuting MEM
berthe thumb-paper member laughter
the Falstaffian member, who like his pro-
totypc, was born about four o'clock in the
morning, and if he has not the bald head,
is gracc'l with the corporal rotundity Igreat
laugh,crI Of his predecessor, upon his ad-
vent into this subIunary world-he says it
was for making murderous" assault
with a " bludyeon," and he, forsootl, would
have this House and the country believe,
with an intent to kill. Now, sir, see that
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 in-
spection Of the member from New Jersey.
Mr.. De Wilt elevated his cane Now,
sir, ask that member TO answer as n cou-
tleman-I beg his pardon, that is word
which he cannot comprehend-but as n
man on the witness stand, is not that cane
double The weight and thickness of the one
used by me, and wlicl, you have impudent-
ly and falsely called a Lludgeon2'
Mr.. Trafton, (interrup,ing )-I have no.
tieed several Interruptions III ;!io galleries
during this discussion, and wish to move
that tho Scrgcant-at.Arms be directed
to clear the galleries. Kisses in the gal
leries.
Mr.. Wheeler. I object.
The Speaker. The motion is not in or
der. The CHAIR announced some time since,
that if there was any further disturbance
the Sergeant. at Arms would have orders to
clear the galleries.
Mr.. Brooks: Iagain appeal to my friends
i'll the galleries TO be quiet.
The Speaker. Order must he preserved.
Mr.. Brooks, (resuming.) If desired to
kill the Senator, why did not do it? You
all admit that had him in my power. Let
me tell the member from New Jersey that
it was expressly 10 avoid taking life that l
used an ordinary cane, presented TO me bv
friend in Baltimore, nearly three months
before its application to the bare head y
of the Massachusetts Senator. went to
work very deliberately, as am charged
and this is admittcd-and speculatcd some
what as to whether should employ Il
horse whip or cowhidc; but knowing that
the Senator was my superior in strength, it
occurred to me that lie might wrcst it from
my hand, and thcn-for I never attempt
anything do not perform-I might have
been compelled to do that wllic!, would
have regretted the balance of my natural
life.
The question has been asked in certain
newspapers why did not invite the Sena-
tor to personal combat in the mode usually
adopted. Well, sir, as desire the Whole
truth to be known about the matter, I will
for once notice n newspaper article on the
floor of the House, and answer here.
My answer is, that knew that the Sem
ator would not accept message; and lav-
ing formed the unalterable determination
to punish him, believed that the offence
of sending hostile message" superaddel
P the indictment for assault and battery,
would subject mo to legal penalties more
severe than would DO imposed for simple
assault and battery.
That is my answer.
For this act, which the Senate, with the
solitary exception Of distinguished gentle
man from Georgia Mr.. Toombs] have pro-
nounced me guilty Of a breach Of its privi-
leges-for this act am complained of by
that body to this House. Your committee
have declared, and this House has now con.
Cured in the opinion, that my offence is to
the Senate, and that no rule or order of this
body have l violated.
Now, sir, let me ask why tho Senate did
not protect its own rightsa The argument
has been n ode here that er necessitate this
House must have tile power to protect it.
self. If that principle be true in its appli-
cation here, why has not the Senate the
same powers of. protections But what
right has this House to punish me for Of.
fences committed ont of Its presence a-