Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-07-31

might be unhappy in their consequences to
the country. If these consequences could
be confined to myself individually, l think
I am prepared and ready to meet them, here
or elsewhere; and when lusc this language
l 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 have proven
that "there is friend that sticketh closer
than brother" | will not constrain gen.
tlemen to assume responsibility on my ac-
count which possibly they would not on theil
own. q
Sir, cannot, on my own account, assume
the responsibility, in the face of the Ameri
can people, of commencing line of conduct
which in my heart of hearts I believe would
result in subverting the foundations of this
government, and in drenching this Hall in
blood. No act of mine, and on my person,
al account, shall inaugurate revolution but
when YOU, Mr.. Speaker return to your own
home and hear the people of the great North
and they are great peoplc-speak Of INC
as a bad man, you will do me the justice tc
say that blow struck by me at this time
would be followed by revolution-and this
l know. Applause and Kisses in the gal,
lery]
The Speaker announced that if any such
demonstrations were repeated, the galleries
should be cleared.
Mr. Brooks, (turnine to the gentleman
gallery.) If have any friends in the gal
lcry, appeal to them to be quiet.
At the same time, Mr.. Speaker, | am mol
willing to see the constitution wounded
through me; n9r will submit voluntarily tt
a wrong if l can avoid it. I will not volun
tarily give my name to countcnance parla
mentary misrulc or constitutional aggression
If l am to be tried again for the matter now
before US, | will choose my own tribunal.
will appeal from this House to my own con
stitucnts. If an expression Of public opin
ion is to be invoked in my case, let my con-
stituents and my fellow-citizens pronounce
upon it. From that verdict l will not ap
peal. The temper of the times is not ia
vorable for calm and dispassionate iudg.
ment of the case andif, by any act of mine,
I can save the majority Of this House from
the consequences of a rash decision, the time
may come when the good men who are pur,
suing mc--anl believe there are such in
the oppostion-will admit that deserve
their thanks for the decd The axe that is
uplittcd to strike me may fall upon others
and fall upon them after they have parted
with the shield of the constitution to pro
tect them.
For myself, have only to say that if ]
cannot preserve my self-rcspcct and constitu
tiona! rights, together with seat in this
body, I must renouncc the last rather thar
the former.
I have no desire, sir, to continue an areu
mcnt which my friends have cxhaustcd.-
The determination of the majority is fixed
and it is vain to resist it. | will make M
appeal to packed jury, but protest against
its Inconsistencies and its usurpations Du
ring this session the charge was openly made
by member from the State of Pcnnsylva
mia, on this floor, that another, Mr.. Pcarcc,
who is his colleague, had been guilty Of Al
attempt to bribe, and no proceedings were
instituted in the case Do the majority o
this House propose to instruct the American
people, from their high position, that bride
ry is czcusahlc, and simple assault and bat
terry a crime! That is the lesson, and YOU
are the teachers. At the first session of the
last Cong css member lcapcd from his scat
and, while the Speaker was in the chair, 1t
passed over several tables towards his antag
onist, who drew weapon in defence, ncithe,
gentleman was subjected to the censurc o
this House. As was appropriated yremarket
by my friend from North Carolina, (Mr
Clingman,) the assaulting membcr-and i
is not for me to say word against him, fo
personally | like him--haS now the most IN
crative Office in the Gift Of this House, an(
was elected by the unanimous vote OF th'
very men who are now conspiring to inAic
punishment upon me.
And in whose behalf is this extraordinar,
stretch Of constitutional power invoked =
Sir, | do not intend to violate any rule o
this House, or of parliamentary courtesy
but it cannot be denied that he is, par c.rc"I
ience, the representative Of i sovereignty
which is at this instant in open, statutory re
belion-not to simple rule of single
the United States OF America. Massachu
sctts sits in judgment upon me without ;
hearing, and presents me for breach Of pri
vilege !! Sir, is it not strange that it did no
occur to that sage Legislature that It's c7emoad
upon the Congress Of the United States, re
laiye TO a member, was Il greater breach q
privilege in them than that complained of il
the member himself? What right, sir, ha!
the Legislature Of Massachusetts to max,
any demand upon this House She has no
the ri ght of even inStructing the most inSig
niicant member from the State, and has BY
her resolutions but given additional proc
that she neither comprehcnds the theory O
our Government nor is loyal to its authori
ty.
| have said, sir, that if I have committed
a breach of privilege, it was the privilege Of
the Senate. IF have in any particular Vi
olatcd the privileges or properties of this
House, | am unconscious Of it, and I chal
lengc every member to specify single disor
dcrly or imnroner act Tn nv intercourse