True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-07-30

Was it because he presented that terrible
by tho great Roman orator
of the tyrant Verres as a fit denunciation
of those new tyrants in Kansas, who rec
nact the brutal cruelties of Veres? 7T
1t is not claimed that the Senator uttcr-
ed any word which he did no: believe to
be true but it is said that. in his exposi-
ton Of this .wickedness, he denounced
the act the men, and the States, that aid
and abet it, with an Incorporate violence
oflanguage. He spoke with zeal with
knowledge, and power. This, sir, is the
head and front of his offending. q Is moth
ing to be pardoned to the spirit OF liberty
Is the great right Of the People-freedom
of debate in the Senate and House, be
restricted in its exercise to the notions of
every man who chooses to constitute him.
self the Judge of what may and may not
rightfully be said /! The fact, sir, that
the Senate permitted the words to.be used
in its body, without objection, is conclus-
i've evidence that it was the right of the
Massachusetts, Senator so to speak nay,
more, the Senate is the only and final ar
bitter Of what may there berightfully said
in debate. That, SIP, is The necessary
sequence from the constitutional proris-
ion that each House may make rules for
is own government, and no member of
either House shall. for any speech or de.
bate, be questioned in any other place.
For bis speech under the Constitution.
therefore, no earthly power had the legal
right 10 question the Senator but The Sem
ate of the United States. | dismiss this
inquiry as to the provocation, with his
additional word-that no man can right.
fully find provocation for, and iusti6ca.
ton or excuse Of, an assault upon the
peoples representatives, because of any
speech or debate made by any member in
either House, The doing Of lawful act,
the exercise ofa lawlul'right, or The dis.
charge Of "a lawful duty, can never fur.
nish apology or excuse for the commits
sion of crime. ..,.,... ,,..,.s......
Now, consider the place and method
and avowed purpose Of this assault, The
lperpetrator Of this act says his object was
10 punish the Senator for words spoken
in debate in the Senate-and thus con-
fesses his crime against the people.
Every personal consideration, sir, sinks
before the magnitude of this offence. A
Senator Of the United States, in the Sem
ate Chamber, in the felt presence of the
people, is struck down, and well nigh
murdered, for words spoken in debate
and this, too, by member Of this house,
who, like all Of us, had sworn that he
would support that Constitution which
declares that the person of the Senator
and citizen alike shall be inviola,e,. and
that the Representatives Of the People
shall not. for any speech or debate IN
either House, be questioned by any other
pei son or body whatever. ,sT a,..s "a
Sir, notwithstanding this OATH, not.
withstanding this constitutional inhibition
Of violence to the persons or all the GILL
zens and their representatives,, notwithstan-
ding the sacred presence Of the people in
their own halls Of Legislation, the ,Sena.
tors, way of approach to the Capitol was
beleaguered and watched |; and while in
his place in the Senate Chamber, armed
with no weapon but his pen--that peace.
ful weapon Of Christian ciyilizaiion--the
| member fronn Sou,b - Gorol;r. rMn