The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-07-31
BY DAVIS g. HOLLINGSWORTH.

Ucen lU'pIlcateu tuili IoT UlySciI, LOT tHeF
E have proven that there is n friend that
sticketh closer than brother" I will not
constrain gentlemen to assume response
bi!ity OH my account, which possibly they
would not on their own.
Sir, cannot, on my o,rn account, assume
the responsibility, in the face of tile Amer
lean people, Of commencing line of con-
duct, which i'll my heart Of hearts / believe
would result in subverting the foundations
of this government, and in drcncling this
hall in blood. No act of mine, and on nv
personal account, shall inaugurate revolu-
ton; but when you, Mr.. Speaker, return 10
your own home and hear the people of the
great North and they are great people
speak of me rs bad man, YOU will do me
the justice to say that blow struck by me
at this time would be followed by revolution
and this know. [Arplause and Kisses
in the gaery.]
The Speaker announced that if any sucl,
demonstrations were repeated, the galleries
should he cleared.
Mr.. Brooks, Cunning to the gcntlemcn's
gal!cry) if I have any friends in the gallery,
appeal to them to he quiet.
at the same time, Mr.. Speaker, am not
willing to see the constitution wounded
through me; nor will submit voluntarily
to wrong if can avoid it. will not
voluntarily give my name to countcnance
parliamentary misrue or constitutional ag-
gression. II am to he tried again for the
matter now before us, l will choose my own
tribunal. will appeal from this House to
my own constituents. II an expression Of
public opinion is to be invoked in my case,
let my constituents and my fellow citizens
pronounce upon ii. From thai verdict
will not appeal. The temper of the times
is not favorable for calm and diSpassiou-
ate Judgment of the case; and if, 10y any
act of mine, can save the majority OF this
House from the consequences Of n rash de-
csion, the time may come when the good
men who are pursuing mc--and I believe
there are such in the oppositiou-wilI aj.
NIT that deserve their thanks for the deed.
Tie axe that is upfted to strike me may
fall upon others, and fall upon them after
t.cy nave parted with the shield of the
constitution to protect them.
For myself have only to say that If l
cannot preserve my se'f.rcspect and consti-
tutionaI rights, together with seat in this
body. I must renounce the last rather than
the former.
have no desire, sir, to continue an ar
gumcnL which my friends lave exhausted.
The determination of the majority is fixed,
and it is in vain to resist it. | will make
no appeal to packed jury, hut protest
against lis Inconsistencies and its usurpa-
tons. During this session the charge was
openly made hy member from the State
of Pennsylvania, OH this floor, that another,
Mr.. pearcel who is his colleague, had been
gully Of an attempt to bribe, and no pro-
ccedings were instituted i'll the case. Do
the majority Of this House propose to in
struct the American people, from their high
position, that bribery is cxcusable, and sim
pie assault and battery crimei That is
the lesson, aud you are the teachers. At
the first session Of the last Congress, men,
her lcaped from his seat, and, while the
Speaker was in his chair, he passed over
several tables towards his antagonist, who
drew weapon in defence, and neither gen.
tle,nan was subjected to the censure Of this
House. AS was appropriately remarked by
my friend from Nortl, Carolina, (Mr. Cling
man) the assaulting member it is not
for me to say word against him, for per-
sonally l like lim-lias now the most lu-
cratiye Office in the gift Of this House, and
was elected by the unanimous vote of the
very men who are now conspiring to inAict
punishment upon me.
And in whose behalf is this extraor1ina-
~ stretch Of constitutional power invoked
Sir, l do not intend TO violate any rule of
this House, or Of parliamentary courtesy,
but it cannot be denied that lie is, mar er-
eelle1,ee, the representative of a sovereignty
"h'eh IS Al Ills instant in open, statutory
rebeliion-not to n simple rule of single
House, but to the constitution and laws of
the United States ofAmerica. Massachusetts,
sits in judgment upon me without hear
ing, and presents me for a breacl, of priv-
legsl Sir, is it not strange that it did not
occur to that sage legislature that its de-
naands upon the Congress Of the United
States, relative TO q member, was a greater
breach of privilege in them than that COM
planned of the member himselfi What right,
sir, has tue Legislature of Massachusetts to
make any demand upon this Housei She
has not the right Of even instructing the
most Insignificant member from the State,
and has by her resolutions but given addis