Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-07-24
From Washinghon

luz IoIiowlng Is portion of the remarks
made by Mr.. Brooks, after the vote to expell
him was announced:
de would say TO the House that the axe
uph'ted over him may fall on them. He had
only TO say he could not retain his seat con.
SlStently with his sef-respect and rights under
the Constitution. During this very session.
member from Pennsy lvania charged col.
league with an attempt at bribery. Where
were the proceedings in that case? By pass.
ing it in silence, the House has declared bri.
berry is excusabe but simple assault and
battery is not. He spoke of Massachusetts,
as being in rebellion against the laws and
Constitution of the United States, while sit.
ting in Judgment on him, and demanding his
expulsion witn5ut a hearing lie had never
been called to order, nor had he offended any
officer,yet vote has been taken to-day trans
hitting him to posterity as unworthy of a
seat here because of dsordcrly behavior, and
in this connection he spoke of Mr.. Penning.
ton as the prosecutor, as the "thumb paper"
the Falstafian member &C., for which
the speaker called him to order. MIR. Brooks
said that Mr.. Pennington charged that the
assault was murderous, and that with blud-
gcon | had attempted to kill Mr. Sumner
My friend from Massachusetts over there has
u pretty good-sized stick. would thank him
to raise it and submit it to the inspection of
the gentleman from New Jersey. (Mr. De
Wits, the gentleman alluded to, held up his
stic| for a moment.) Laughter. Now
that stick is double tine size of the one used
by me. (Mr. traitor here rose and asked
that the disorder on the galleries be queted
or that they be cleared-Hisses from the gal
leries.)
The Speaker said if the disturbance was
continued he would give that order.
Mr.. Jones, (of Tenn. why, | did not
hear any up there just now.
Mr. Brooks docking up)-If have friends
in the galleries, | desire them to be quiet
He then continued If l desired to kill the
senator from Massachusetts, why did l not
dc it You all admit that | had it in my
power Let me tell the gentleman from New
jersey, that expressly to prevent taking life,
| used an ordinary cane presented by friend
in Baltimore. | went to the Senate deibe-
rarely, | hesitated whether l should use a
horsewhip or cowhide, but knowing that,
the strength Of the senator from Massachu-
sets was superior to mine, | thought he
might wrest it from me. 1t he had, might
have done what should have regretted for
the remainder Of my life.
A voice-He would have killed him.
Mr.. Brooks resuming, said Ten days
ago, toreseeing what the action OF the House
would be, my signaton was put into the
hands Of the Governor of South Carolina y
Mr.. Brooks replied to several members who
had said hard things of him, including Mr.
Comins quoting the remark that " Massachu'
sets would take her own time for the remedy
but he would never plead the statute Of
limitations against the wrath Of that state
He quoted from Mr.W oodruff's speech, strong
" condemnatory Of his conduct, saying he
thought gentleman utterlng such sentiments
" a foeman worthy of his friend, Col. Savage
how Mr. Woodruff declined meeting Mr.
Brooks in the manner recognised by gentle
men,
The narrative caused laughter. He sale
to Mr. Woodruff, Go, little wretch there ii
room enough in this world for you and me.
In his judgment the cock that crows and vii
not fight is despised even by hens aud pullets
Laughter. Abiding to the remark O.
James Watson Webb, watch had been quoted
that the act of assault deserved death on thu
spot, he said, if those who endorsed that sen
timcut wished the game Of chivalry, let them
with their whole republican crew, come ant
take the life which, they say, is forfeited
If his opponents were satisfied with the pres
ent state Of the case, he was. He returne'
bis thanks to his friends especially to goo
northern democrats and gentlemen who ha'
the manhood to stand by hin-not forgetting
John Scott Harrison. Some gentlemen, h
believed, had voted against him contrary Il
their wishes, but were operated upon by out
side pressure-and he spoke in commendatio
of those who gave their votes without indu
ging in villi6cation. He concluded by say
ing: Mr.. Speaker, | announce to you an
) to the House [ am no longer member of tn
Thirty-fourth Congress
Confusion, Kisses and applause followed
during which Mr.. Brooks retired
In the House, on the 10Th. after consider
' able discussion, under the operation of til
the previous question, the resolution censu
9 ing Mr. Keitt was adopted by yeas 1O'
nays SO.
, On the 10th Mr.. Keitt resigned his sea
often saying what he had to against ever.
" thing that is honorable
!" On the 18th, both the members from tt
IS 7th congressional district of Illinois, WEI
If sent home, and the election referred to II
'e people.