The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-07-16
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF HON. P. $. BROOKS,

Il
/ or SOUTH cARoLHA, 4 x. ..s
On resgning bis in Congress- delivered in the House
! Of Representatives, July Ia, 1856. 81.
Mr. BROOKS said;
Mr.. SPEAKER: Until this moment have felt that there
was propriety in my remaining silent and in Trusting
my defence TO friends who are ADLER and more learned than
myself have heretofore felt that other and higher inter-
ests than any which affect personally involved In
the proceedings OF this The interests OF consu-
en Of this House and Of ALL indeed who concerned
in the constitution ITSELF in my view have been intimately
and inseparably complicated. ., :.
Here Mr.. BROOKS interrupted by Mr. GppIsGs &c
Sir indebted to the House for even this much cour-
tesy. about remarkng that there were higher in
teress than my own involved IN this matter have been
content therefore, TO meet personally and in silence all the
| consequences Of these proceedings.
Some time since senator from Massachusetts allowed
himself in an eaboratey prepared speech to offer gross
State representative and who absent at the time
Not content with that he published the world and cir
culated extensively this uncaledor libel my State and
my blood Whatever insults my State insults me Her
history and character have commanded my pious
ton aud in her defence hope shall always be prepared
humbly and modesty, to perform the duty Of son.
should have forfeited my selfrespect and perhaps
the good opinion Of my countrymen II had failed
sent such an injury, by calling the offender in question
personal account II was personal affair, and in a-
king redress into my own hands meant dsrespect
the Senate of the United States or to this House Nor
sir did design insult disrespect to the State of Massa
chusets was aware Of the personal responsibilities
incurred and was willing TO meet them. knew, too that
was amenabe to the laws Of the country, which afford
the protection to ALL whether they be members Of
Congress private citizens. did not and do now,
believe that could be properly punished not only in
Of law but here also at the pleasure and discretion
of the House did then and do now believe that
the spirit OF American reemen would tolerate sander in
high places and permit member of Congress to publish
and circulate libel another and then call upon either
house to protect him against the personal responsibilities
which he had thus incurred
But If had committed breach of privilege it the
privilege Of the Senate and not of this House which was
violated was answerabe there and not here. They had
no right as seems to to prosecute in these halls
nor have you the right in law under the constitution
respectfully submit to take jurisdiction offences com
mited against them. The constitution does not justify
them In making such request this House In granting
it. III unhappiy, the day should when sectional
or party feeling should high control all other
considerations Of public duty justice how easy win it
be to use such precedens for the excuse OF arbitrary power
in either house. to expe members OF the minority who
have rendered themselves obnoxious to the prevailing
spirit in the house to which they belong
Matters may go smoothly enough when house asks
the other to punish member who is offensive major
iy of its body but how win it be when upon pre-
tence of insuted dignity demands made Of this House
to expel member who happens to counter to its party
predictions other demands which Ii may not be SO
agreeable grant2 1t could have been designed by
the constitution Of the United States expose the two
houses TO such temptations TO collision, extend far
the discretionary power which given TO either house
TO punish it's members for the violation of its rules
and orders Discretion has been said be the law OF the
rant and when exercised under The color of the law and
under the influence of party dctaon il may and will be-
come a terrible and :nsuderahle despotism.
This House, however 1t would seem, from the unmis-
taxable tendency OF its proceedings takes different view
from that which deliberately entertain in common with
many Others. ..
So far public interests or constitutional rights arc
volved, have now exhausted my means Of defence
may then be allowed TO take more personal view of the
question at issue The further prosecution of this subject
IN the shape 1t has assumed may only involve my
friends but the House itself in agations which might DO
unhappy in their consequences 10 the country II these
Consequences could be confined TO myself individually
think prepared and ready meet them here else
where; and when use this language what 1 say
But others must not suffer for have felt
account Of my friends who have been implicated than
for myself for they have proven that Hhere friend that
stickeh closer than brother will constrain gen.
tleren to aesune responsibility my account which
possibly they would not on their own.
Sir, ! cannot on my opn account assume the re-
sponsibity, in the face Of the American people, Of
| commencing a line of conduct which in my heart
of hearts | believe would result in subverting the
foundations Of this government and in drenching this
hall in blood No act of mine and my personal account
shall inaugtrate revolution but when you Mr. Speaker
return your homo and hear the people Of the great
North-and they great people-speak Of me bad
man, you win do The justice TO say that blow struck
by this time would be followed by revolutiun-and
this know. Applause and Kisses in the gallery.1
The SPEAKER announced that IL any such demonstra-
tions repeated the galleries should be cleared.
Mr. BROOKS (turnng to the gentlemens gallery,) IL |
have any friends in the gallery, appeal u them to be
quiet
At the same time Mr. Speaker am not willing to see
the constitution wounded through will submit
yolun lary to q wrong II can avoid IL will not vol
i
UNFAIRLY give my TO counteDance parliamentary mis-
rule constitutional aggression. II to be tried
again for the matter before us will choose my
tribunal will appeal from this House TO my con-
suents If expression Of public opinion Is TO be in
voked in my case let my constituents and my fellowci-
zens pronounce upon IL From that verdict will ap-
peal The temper Of the times is favorable for q calm
and dspsssionate Judgment Of the and IT. by any
of mine the majority Of this House fron the
consequences Of rash decision the time cone when
the good who pursuing me-end believe there
such In the oppositionw admit taat deserve their
thanks for the deed The that is upted strike
may fall upon Others and fall upon them after they have
parted with the shield Of the constitution protect them
For myself have only say that " cannot preserve
my sefrespect and constitutional rights together with
in this body must the last rather than the
| former
have desire sir continue argument which my
friends have exhausted The determination Of the maor-
ty Is fxed and II Is in vain resist II win make
appeal to packed but protest against It's iuconsist
and Its usurpations During this session the charge
openly made by member from the State Of Pcunsyl-
vania this 1oor that another Nr PgsRcE who his
colleague had been guilty Of attempt bribe and
proceedings instituted In the Do the majority
Of this House propose to instruct the American people
from their high position that bribery excusable and
simple assault and battery crimeH That s the lesson,
and you the teachers At the first session Of the
Congress member leaped from bis seat and while the
Speaker in his chair be passed over several tables
towards bis antagonist who drew weapon in defence and
neither gentleman subjected TO the Of this House
As appropriately remarked by my friend from North
Carolina Mr. CLrSaxAs) the assaulting member-and II
Ia not for me to say word against him. for personally
like himbas the lucrative office n the gift Of
this House. and elected by the unanimous the
very men who are now consprng TO inict punishment
upon
And in whose behalf Is this extraordinary stretch
Of constitutional power invoked7 Sir do not intend
10 violate any rule OF this House, or OF parliament