New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-30

10 stand BY the Constitution" has for some
years been touchstone Of political orthodoxy with
the conservative and mercan lie portion Of our
fellow citizens, and by no means bad one. 1t is
OILY the confusion of ideas that sinks fidelity to
the Constitution into alacrity in slaye-catching,
that we object to- Slave-catchiDg is not the Con-
stitufion, nor even material portion Of 1t; it 10
at the worst but minor incident, reluctantly ad-
mitted at the eleventh hour after having been
pluDply rejected. There are far different aud
more important provisions in that intrument-wit
ness the following:
ART. l. &C. The Senators snd Representatives lin Con
sh, in oil except felony aud br ssh Of the
be privileged from durrg their sends at the
from The me; sod or any ,eh or d,5Gte IN either House
h'y hail not be aue'n ned in any other place.
Here is provision of the Constitution absO-
lut essential to that freedom of discussion which
is the life Of Republican Liberty. For, minifesty,
Members will not all and always speak out fully and
fronkly what they believe Congress aud the COun-
try should hear il each shall realize that he must
speak with a pistol loyeled at his head and blud-
eeOn uplifted from behind him. ready to descend on
his baked head the moment he utters anything
offensive to the nice suscephbiliEes of political
or personal adversary. Some will speak the truth
at all hazards; but for the greater number there
will be no more freedom of debate under such cir
cumstances than is allowed to-day in France,
Naples or Russia If the rule of the bludgeon and
revolver is not Overthrown, the constitutional pro-
vision just quoted-One far more essential aud
important than that relating to fugitive slaves
has become dead letter.
But again Congress in 1888 passed an act de-
nouDciDg the severest penalties against Congress
siona dueling. The Member who sends a chal-
leDge, or carries one or in any way prOvokes or
fomeLts duel, is subjected by this act to the
severest penalties. Yet We hear that Carolina
Brooks has challenged Senator Wilson avowedly
PROFESSIONALLY, for words spoken in debate, after
brutaly beating Gen. Wilson's colleague for a like
ofieDse. and calling Gen. Webb to account for
newspaper ttrictures on his last-named outrage.
Here are repeated and fragrant violations of both
law and Constitution, tending to the utter subver
sion no. of Slavery but Of Liberty. Aud it is
rentIy reported that Senator TOombs intends to
provoke hostile meeting with Senator Wade, Of
similar tenor and on like proyocaii5a.
Nj Francis Z. Treadwell Of this city addressed
to the HOure on the subject Of o1trages committed
or threatened by its members on Editors and other
outsiders, asking that adequate penalties be de-
noubced against the perpetrators of such outrayes.
The crimes for which Mr.. Summers speech fur.
nished the apology have since been com nitted, and
they very materially strengthen Mr. Tread wells
positions We do not find, however, one yument
urged by him that seems to us deserving of much
weight namely: The Constitution having properly
shielded every member of Congress from all per-
sonal responsibility for words spoken in debate, i!
is unfair ard oxardly in those Members to assail
Others for structures their propositions or their
barangues. at is poor rule that will not work
"both ways" and since Congressman Brooks
cannot, without defiance Of the Constitution, be
held responsible for his speeches by Editor Webb,
it is upaniftstly just that Editor Webb should enjoy
equal freedom and immunity with regard to hi,
structures ON the dOiDgs Of Congressman Brooks
Is not the fairness of this rule EVIDENT