The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-08-01

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not be so agreeable to grant 1t could
never have been designed by the constitu-
ton OF the United States to expose the two
Houses to such temptations to collision, or
to extend so far the discretionary power
! Which was given to either House to punish
its own members for the violation OF its
rules and orders. Discretion has been said
to be the law of the tyrlns, and when excr-
cised under the color of the law and under
| the influence Of party dictation, i. may and
will become terrible and insutlerabie dies.
potism.
This House, however, it would seem, from
the unmlstakable tendency of its proceed
lnSs, takes different view from that which
deliberately entertain in common with
many others.
So far as public interests or constitutional
rights are involved, l have now exhausted
my means Of defence, 1 may, then, be al
lowed to take more personal view of the
question at issue. The further prosecution
OF this subject in the Shape it has now as
sumcd may not only involve my friends,
but the House itself in agitations which
might be unhappy in :hcir consequences to
the country. Ii these consequences could
be confined TO myself Individually, think
am prepared and ready to meet them, here
or elsewhere; and when use this language.
| mean what say But others must not
suffer for me- have felt more on account
OF my two friends who have been implica-
ted than for myself for they hava, proven
that there is friend that stickcff closer
than brother" l will not constrain gen
tlemen to assume responsibility on nv
account which possibly they would not on
their own.
sir, cannot, on aay o,oa account, assume
the responsibility, in the face of the .lmcri
can people, of commencing line of con
duct, which in my heart of hearts believe
would result i'll subvcrting the foundations
OF this government, and in drcnclne this
hall in blood. No act Of mine, and on nv
personal account, shall imausurate rcvolu-
ton but when you, Mr.. Speaker, return
to Your own home and hear the people Of
the great North-and they are great pco-
ple-speak of Inc rs Il bad man, YOU vii!
'io me the justice to say that Il blow struck
by me at this time would be followed by
rcvolution-and this I know. [Applause
and Kisses in the gallery
The speaker announced that if any such
demonstrations were repeated the galleries
should be cleared.
Mr. Brooks, ('urning TO the gcn;lcmcn's
ga!lcry,) if l have any friends in the ealIe-
ry, appeal to them TO be quiet
at the same time, Mr.. Speaker, am not
willing to see the constitution wounded
through me; nor will submit voluntarily to
wrong if can avoid it. ! will not inyolun-
tarlly give my name to countcnancc parlia-
mentary misrnle or constitutional aggression.
If am to be tried again for the matter now
before us, will choose my own tribunal.
| will appeal from this House to nv own
constituents. If an expression Of public
opinion is to bc invoked in my case, let nv
constituents and my fclIew citizens pro.
nounrc upon it. From that verdict 1 will
not appeal. The temper Of the times is
not favorable for calm and dispassionatc
Judgment Of the case; and if, by any act of
mine, can save the majority of this House
from the consequences Of rash decision,
the time may come when the good men who
are pursuing mc--and I believe there are
such in the oppositon-will admit that I
deserve their thanks for the deed The axe
that is uplifted to strike me may fall upon
others, and fall upon them after thew have
parted with the shield of the constitution
to protect them.
For myself | have only to say that if I
cannot preserve my sclfrcspect and consti
tutional rights, together with scat in this
body, l must renounce the last rather than
the former
l have no desire, sir, to continue an ar
gument which my friends have exhausted.
The determination Of the majority is fixed,
and it is in vain to resist it, I will make
no appeal to packed jury, but 7 protest
against its Inconsistencies and its usurpa-
tons. During this session the charge was
openly made by member from the State
OF Pennsylvania, on this floor that another,
Mr.. Pearce who is his colleague, had been
guilty Of an attempt to bribe, and no pro-
ceedings'were instituted in the case. Do the
majority of this House propose to instruct
the American people, from their high posi-
Ftion, that bribery is excnsable,' and. simple
assault and battery crime That is the
lesson, and you are the teachers. At the
first session Of the last Congress member
leaped from his seat, and, while the Speaker
was in bis chair, be passed over several ia
bles towards his antagonist, who drew. a
weapon in defence, and neither gentlemen
was subjected to the censnre Of this House.
As,was appropriately reDiarked by my friend
from North Carolina, {Mr. Clingman,) the
assaglting. member-and It is not forme to
say o word against him, for personally Tlike
him-has now the most tlucratiyyes offica in