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

myself for inflicting a cl,astisement which,
by the common law and the constitutional
laws of my country, have tile right to in
fiict upon my slave, who is my property
Where do yon stop in this question of au-
tliority of the House over its members?
AS we understand it, there is sense in this
authority controlling member while the
House is in session, and restraining him
from disturbing or embarrassing its pro.
ceedings. If the government was constitu-
t'onalIy administered, every citizen would
have direct interest in this much. But if
your authority goes into the Senate CHAM
Der, and even when the Senate is not in
session, why should it not 90 into the ante
rooms and down the steps Of the Capitol
Why not pursue ME into the avenue-into
the steamboat-to my plantation take
the gentlemen who have labored for my ex-
pulsion, on their own declaration. They
are committed to it, and they cannot now
evadc it. They say that my responsibility
is not because of any offence committed in
the presence Of or to this House, but be-
cause of the general and necessary author
ity which the House has over its members.
Now, it seems to me that, if my response
b'lity to this House for an offence commit
ted elsewhere is because Of my membership,
1t is logical conclusion that my RESPONSE
biIily ceases when that relation is dissolved.
Whether or not the authority of the Senate
reaches me after my relations to this House
have terminated, it is not for ME now to in
qu!re; but, in justice to myself, take &C.
casion to say to the country, that if the
Senate take that view, shall recognise its
authority. Now, sir, let inc inform the hon
orable members who have been pursuing
me so tiercely, that my present attitude WAS
long since forcsccn, and that I am nlto-
gether prepared for any of its emergencies
knew viii, whom mad 10 deal, and my
resignation has been for more than ten days
i'll the hands Of the Governor Of South
Carolina, to take effect the very instant that
| announce my resignation upon this floor.
But, before | make the announcement,
desire to say word or two in reference to
What has been said of me in debate and
elsewhere. saw in some of the New
York papers that n certain feminine gentle
man from that State (Mr. Morgan) had ap-
piled to me the term "vilain." Well, that
was not a word "spoken in debate" and
only allude to it to advertise the indignant
gentleman that have seen tho word, and
know that it was spoken in New York, and
not here in debate. He need not be much
alarmed: and, if he will "hoId still" when
! get hold Of him, III not hurt him much.
And this is all that I can say about that
matter here.
Your amiablc colleague, (Mr. Knapp,)
who was presented by his constituents with
revolver, intended for my particular ben
eft, yesterday declared that Massachusetts,
would "takc her own time and place" to
resent what he and she both pronounced to
be an insult and injury. do not intend,
Mr.. Speaker, to utter an offensive, unkind,
or even rough word to that gentleman
for he is gentleman, socially, know
but / wish to say this to him, that will
never plead the statute of limitations in bar
of tile wrath Of Massachusetts,.
On yesterday, however, we had violent
demonstration from tile gentleman from
Connecticut, (Mr. WoodruA,) who is now
near me, and who, with historical accuracy,
(O has asserted that tile bones of Conncc-
ticut revolutionary soldiers now lie in tile
valleys Of the sunny South. That member,
with show of manhood which elected nv
admiration, in his written remarks, used the
following language:
"Will not this hall, with too much rea-
son, continue to be characterized AZ a
'chamber of assassins,' if we do not now
unto to rebuke and emphaticalIy condemn
this monstrous violation Of all honor and
decencya The country demands action,
and tue times are hot for some expiation of
dastardly and brutal outrages, whether COM
mitted in the Capitol or on the plains of
Kansas.
"If there is not spirit or manliness enough
here to promptly purge this body by proper
and constitutional meaua, at all events let a
trial be made; let the vote come. We
shall then kno,0 who dare screen audacity
or give countenance to crime"
Again:
81 court no disturbance; but tie privi-
leges Of this House shall not, 80 far rs am
concerned, be infringed. With an endea-
vor and design always to cultivate courtesy,
I shall not hesitate here in my place, or
elsewhere, to freely characterize as they de.
serve any lofty assumptions Of arrogance,
or any mean achievements Of cowardice.n
And again 2, e-cl, d yst.t ..-i p. i;