The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-07-31
M Z GEL "a q U.S.
SPEECH OF lion. P. 8. BROOKS, !
OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

-NT. fSPeaEer Chtii tlllS moment 1 nave
felt THAT there was proprety in my re-
tnsdning silent, and in trusting my defence
20 ftietds who are ADLER and more learned
than myself. I have heretofore felt that
other and higher interests than any which
affect me personally, were involved in the
proceedings Of this case. The interest OF
iny constituents, of this House, and of all,
indeed, who are concerned in the cons,i:u.
ton itself, in my view. have been intimately
md inscparahly complicated.
Here Mr.. Brooks was interrupted 10y
Mr.. Giddngs, &c.,ll
Sir, am indebted to the House for even
this mucl, courtesy. WAS about remark
ing tha, there were higher interests than
my own involved in this matter. I have
been content, therefore, to meet personally
and in silence all the consequences of these
proceedings.
Some time since Senator from Massa-
chuselts allowed himself. in an claLoratcly
prepared speech, to offer a gross insult to
my State, and to venerable friend, who
is my State representative, and who WAS
absent at the time.
Not content with that he published 10
the world and circulated extensively, this
'i'l,:al!e,lf'r I'cl on my State an.! my L!ood.
Whatever insults my State insults me-
Her history and character have commanded
my pious vrncration, and in her defence
hope shall always be prepared, humLly and
,no,lestly, to perform the duty Of n son.
should have forfeited my own sclf.rcspcct,
and, perhaps, the good opinion nf my
countrymen, if had failed to resent such
an injury, hy calling the offender in 1ues-
ton to n personal account. 1t was per-
sonal affair, and i'll taking redress into my
own hands, l meant no diSrespcct to the
Senate Of the United States, or to this
House. Nor sir, did design insult or dis.
respect to the State of Massachusetts. ]
was aware Of the personal responsibilities
incurred, and was willing to meet them.
l knew, too, tha, l WAS amrH"h!c tp the laws
of the country, which atf;rl The same pro-
lection to all, whether they he members OF
Congress or private citizens. did not, and
do not now, believe that could bc prop
crly punished, not only in q court Of law,
but here also, at the pleasure and discretion
of the House. dill not then, and do not
now, believe that the spirit Of American
freeman would tolerate slanier in high
places. and permit a member of Congress
10 publish and circulate libel on another,
and then call upon either house to protect
him against the personal responsibilities
which he hal thus incurred.
But if l had committed breacl, Of privi.
'egc, it was the privilege Of the Senate, and
not of this House, which was violated.
was answerable there, and not here. They
had no right, rs it seems to me, to prose-
cute me i'll these halls, nor Lave you the
right i'll law or under the constitution, rs
respectfully submit, to take jurisdiction over
offences committed against them. Tie
constitution does not justify them in max
ing such request, nor this House in grant
ing it. If, unliappily, the day should ever
come when sectional or party feeling should
run SO high as to control all other considera-
tons of public duty or justice, how easy
will It be to use such preccdents for the ex-
cuse Of arbitrary power, in either House,
to expel members Of the minority WHO may
have rendered themselves obnoxious to the
prevailing spirit in the House to which they
belong.
Matters may go smoothly enough when
one House ask the other to punish MEM
Der who is Offensive to majority of its
own body; but how will it be when, upon
pretence of insulted digni'y, demands are
made of this House to expel member
who happens to run counter to its party
predictions, or other demands Which it
may not be so agreeable to grant2 1t
could never have been designed ly the con-
sitution Of the United States to expose the
wo;Houses to such temptations to collision,
pf, TO extend SO far the discretionary power
s'Rl'icl, was given to either House to punisl,
it's own members for the violation Of it's
rules and orders. Discretion has been said
to be'the law Of the tyrant, and when ex-
erciscd under the color Of the law and un.
der the influence Of party dictation, it may
and will become terrible and insuFerable
despotism.