The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-14

cans Is pamphlet Of several pages written for bis paper
the New York Courier and Rnquirerl by General Webb,
made up Of eommehe upon the assault Of Mr. Brooks on
Mr. Sumner, Gen. Webb waited foryeight hours after
the occurrence TO let bis blood get COOL and then sat down
under the belief that be prepared TO write with "coo
ness dclberaton, and discretion The General labord
under great deusion in supposng that he had taken SUI
feient cooling time" He does himself gross injustice
when he that what written the result
Of his matured Convictions unindueneed BY passion
There scarcely in the pamphlet which does
not manifest alteration Of Judgment reckless
ness OF assertion that wholly inconsistent with cool
ness deberaton, discretion Indeed, the peryer-
sions and Misrepresentation ana exaggerations SO
bars-faced and palpable that they calculated T.
excite derison and contempt rather than indigna.
ton and resentment The Righteousness of the whole
document is made snll manifest by the pompous
sslfconsequence with which General Webb the a.
slmed Nestor of the Press prougates his views Of the
assault 1t Is his misfortune not 10 know that If be
has been connected for thirty years with the press his
course has SO tortuous and cratic that his edito
tral age has increased his editorial influence has dmin
ished II the time ever when he could righully boast
that lie had scrupuous defended the constitutional rights
of the southern States he certainly forfeited all claim upon
southern men luftief respect Nutl me-
borer with the Tribune and the Post and consented to
dedicate his declining to the cause Of black repub
| canism.
1t Is due to General Webb to say, that although he
greatly moved in spirit and grievousy exercised by
Mr. BrookS Outrageous assault he did not like his ven
cradle cowokers of both sexes in the press and the pull
pitt go into Mysteries the beedng head of the al
most martyred Sumner Amidst all his delusion, lie
| still fancies himself philosopher and patriot IL
says it would have been "a melancholy event. if both
Mr. Summer and Mr. Brooks had "bcen killed on ne acenue
together Nth dozen friends Of each" bat in his estimation,
chased upon cool and deliberate reflection such event
should have caused "a 1.-THE of the horror and indg
M ion which will be felt by every right-mnded man in
he nation when he hears of the terrible outrage upon our
institutions and the freedom Of debate and liberty o.
speech gross violation of the anctity of the Senate
chamber. We frankly confess regret that Mr. Brooks
did not follow this suggestion Of General Webb and cal
the assaan Of the representative of his State and OF his
venerable relative to account tic dpea instead OF in
the Senate chamber since that the occurrence at
the former place n it had resulted in the death OF
both of them and dozen others would have relieved
the General and all "rghtmnded men OF nine-tenths OF
their present indignation and horror AT the same time,
we must say that in gment the sancty Of the Sen
ate chamber when the Senate is in session. seems to US
be more grossly outraged by magn calumny heapeo
| upon a sovereign State, and upon Of its gray
haired senators who is absent than by assault in
the Senate chamber, when the Senate is not in
sion upon such calumniator, by another representative
of that State and relative OF the absent senator
sandered Fit be Outrage institutions and on
the freedom of debate to strike down senator in the Sen
ate chamber the Senate has adjourned for words
tered in debate and make point on this) why IS II
equally IAN outrage our institutions and on the
freedom Of debate for TO use in debate in the
Senate words which only fail to strike down the reputn-
ton OF sovereign State and the character OF OF Its
aged members because the words spoken are aise
and hbeous Do Institutions secure the freedom o.
debate senator's that they may utter caumnies which
would be criminal in other places? is il crime for
ator me to assai private reputation, but no
crime TO make the assault in debate IN The SrHgtsy
l. doubtless wise in institutions to provide that
ators shall be questioned for words spoken 10 tht
Senate in any other place but surely institutions
adopted the folly Of m'auIug that words criminal ~
one place that are harmless another place. Mr. Brook
took the whole responsibility OF regarding Mr. Sumner
language In debate crimuay libelIous aud Of question
ing him therefor iu the place be sure where 1t ut
tered but not whilst the Senate in SESSION. and,
cordng to the decision Of the Senate thereby violated Mr.
Summers prir,g,s II Mr. Summers language really
beous his crime the greater because OF the 'nchy
Of the place and the protection OF his position; and whilst
that does not justify Mr. Brooks In the eye Of the law It Is
surely circumstance Of exienuation which all right
minded men will appreciate in passing judgment on The
/ transaction. Not 60, however, with Gen. Webb. us
cool and deliberate Judgment Is that to chastise
ator In the Senate chamber when the Senate not In
sion for belous words used in debate ought to excite
more indignation and horror than the killing Of senator
and and dozen OF their friends in
conre on the Avenuel
But who Is Gen. Webb that be should assume the cham
ponshp OF the freedom OF congressional debatc1 HE
conversion on this subject has been remarkable thai
which now finds him the champion Of black repubicansm
II VIC have read history correctly Gen Webb year
ago challenged member Of the House Of Representatives
1, mortal combat for exercising the freedom Of debate
and Il Is melancholy tact that the consequence Of thai
challenge was the death Of o. the most gallant
well as the most talented Of the Of New England He
fell not by the hands Of General Webb but by those OF
his friend Where then General Webbs high appre-
citation Of the sacred privileges which guaranty 10 mem
br OF Congress The freedom Of debate? We submit til
General webLs antccedcpis dFquaify him for cham
pion Of the exemption Of members Of Congress from per
sona responsibility for words SPOKEN in debate IL BIZ
own experience has wrought his conversion this subec,
IL would have given weight hs present counses IL b,