The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-04

character a nation II was premedated during period
Of at least two days without any other psosoeaon s
not ruled out Of order by the President OF the Senate nor
objected TO by any senator as yoaye OF me rules sAo
lished for the government and order OF that Douy,
The act canno therefore be regarded by the committee
otherwise than aggravated assault upon the lnest
mabe right OF freedom of speech guaranteed by he con-
sdtutiou, 1t asserts for physical force over
governments constitutions, and laws and II carried TO
its ultimate consequences must result IN anarchy and
bring in its train ali the evils OF regn Of terror
The committee therefore in conformity to the spirit OF
the resolution of the House and their of public duty
are constrained TO recommend to the House the passage
Of such resolution will yiudicate its own character
and rebuke the member who has unhappy for himself
and the country, perperated this great wrong.
The committee do discuss the powers OF the House to
punish its dsordery members do they undertake to
argue the general question as to what constitutes breach
of privilege The passage the resolution raising the
miitee is regarded declaration the part OF the
House of its power to call its members TO account for such
violate the privileges OF the Senate This assault
having been committed by member upon senator
whs remaining in his seat in the Senate chamber IN the
performance of the duties pertaining TO his official station
and for words there spoken in debate the committee have
doubt OF the right power OF the House TO adopt the
resolutions which they recommend.
No testimony has been taken, nor are the committee
of any which shows that any other member OF the
House either actively engaged in the assault design
ed commit any violence upon Dir Sumner nor that any
other member knew the precise time ehen' he place
cher Mr. Brooks would assa HIM 1t does appear, how
ever that the Hon. Henry A. Edmundson of Virginia. and
the Hon. Lawrence NJ. keit, of South Carolina members
of the House. had been previously Informed of the purpose
of Mr. Brooks commit assault upon Mr. Sumner and
that they anticipated that the assault would take place in
the Senate chamber about the time the occurrence
did take place. Mr. keit in the Senate chamber ana
Mr.. Edmundson in adjoining it at the time the at
tack made and it is proved that Mr. Kett rushed W
with in threatening when the bysanders
attempted protect Mr.. Sumner from the blows of Me-
Brooks and that Mr.. Edmundson entered the chamber
soon after Mr.. Sumner fell.
The committee do not feel themselves justified in ex-
pressing the opinion upon the testimony that either Of
these members prncp pal accessory in the assault
but regard their conduct in the transaconand parcu
lary in taking steps to prevent the preparation of the
wrong inform the senator of his dangeras rcprehen
sibe The committee, therefore recommend the adoption
of the following
Whereas the Senate the United States have transmitted
this House message, complaining that Preston s. Brooks
representative from the State of South Carolina committed
upon the person of Charles Sumner senator from the STATE
of Massachusetts,, while seated at his desk in the Sena
chamber, after the adjournment Of that body oh the 22d
May last vioeat assault which disabled him from attend
ing to his duties in the Senate, and declaring that the sa
assault breach of the privileges of that body and
Whereas from respect to the privileges of the House. tn
Senate further declared that nasmuch the said Pres
s. Brooks member of this House they caunet arrest
and, fortiori, cannot try punish him for breach
their privileges that they proceed further in tn
than make their complaint this House, and that tn
to arrest try and punish devoves solely on this body
Whereas full investgaop Il appears to this Hous
that the said Preston s. Brooks has beeh guilty of the
saut complained of by the Senate, with aggravated cir
Wilderness that the breach Of tn
privileges not only of the Senate but Of the senator assaed
and of this House coordinate branch OF the Legislative
department OF government In direct violation OF the const
tuition of the United States which declares that senators
representatives or speech debate in either house
shall not be questioned in any other place !" and
Whereas this House is of opinion that has the power
ought to punish the said Preston s. Brooks for the said
saut only breach of the privileges Of the
assed and Of the Senate and House, declared by the
stituon but act of asordery behavior and
Whereas further appears from such nvestig tina
Henry A. Edmundson, representative ifom the State
Virginia. and Lawrence M. ke representative from tn
State of South Carolina, time previous the said
saalt informed that 1t the purpose of the sal
Preston s. Brooks to commit violence upon the person Of h
said Charles Sumner for words used By him in debate
senator in the Senate and took to dscouag
prevent the same but the contrary, anticipating tn
commission of such violence, present
occasions witness the friends Of the assaant
therefore,
Re-o'Ued That Preston S. Brooks be- and he forthwith
expelled from this House representative from the Stst
/ of South Carolina.
ResOved That this House hereby declare dsapproba
ton OF the ssd act OF Henry A. Edmundson and Lawrene
! NJ. keitt in regard to the said assault.
i LEWIS D. CAMPBELL
! #. SPINNER,
\. q. NJ. PENNINGTON.