Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-07-18

black lines around the Constitution, AZ roc
commended by Mr.. Comins, he who was pre-
pared for the daminable deed might do ill.,
It wat no part Of his duty, and the invitation
met no response in his heart.
Mr.. Comings said he alluded 10 the slave
power.
Mr.. Cobb, continuing, remarked that he
raised his voice in behalf on the Constitution
planted himself on its provisions, and
called on gentlemen to enforce them. Tie
then argued that this was not such ques-
ton ~ justified the jurisdiction Of the House.
Tue Constitution protected members only so
far as was necessary to legislative purposes;
beyond this they we're on level with their
humble commitments, and responsible for IL
bells they might utter. With regard to Ed
mundson and kciit, whom a majority Of the
Committee proposed to censure, they we're
guilty of no dlsorderly behavior within the
province Of the House to punish. Neither
was principal or accessory to the assault, be-
cause they took no steps to prevent the per
petrstion Of tie act or inform Mr.. Sumner
Of his danger The committee say their
neglect is fepfehenslbe, thus, in effect pro.
posing to punish man who, receiving a
confidential communication, fails to become
public infomer
Mr. Pennington Of n j., remarked, If Mr..
Orr yesterday insinuated what was not
broadly asserted, that the object was TO make
political capital Il was utterly unioundod, in
fact 80 far as he was concerned and there
fore no gave Il fiat denial lie argued 10
support Of the principles advanced by the
report Of the Committee, that he imputed to
Brooks no murderous purpose, but ia the eve
Of the law the weapon used was a murderous
one aud welded in a murderous manner.
Mr. Foster of Ga, said he had no personal
acquaintance with either Mr. Sumner or
Brooks, and hence could argue the subject
dispasslonaiey lie conlended that q vas
clear to him as the Sun ga Heaven Ihat the
House, under the Constitution, had no iurs-
dicuon IN the promises lie condemned the
inhammatory appeals resorted to IN this
case.
Without action, the Ilousa adjsurned.
Saturday, Jolly ~
Housr.-Mr. Grow Of Pa gave notice
that he would soon call up he motion TO re-
consider the vote by which the bill anuullng
the laws Of Kansas was referred 10 the
Committee ofthe Whole.
The House thea resumed the consideration
Of the report ON the Sumner assault
Mr. Cullen of Del. who was entitled 20
the floor, yielded 10 Mr.. English ot lndlana,
who wished 10 offer an amendment 10 the
pending questnln-declanng that the House
disapproves of the assault, aud deems th-
III occasion 10 express ne transportation on
the use Of language 90 debate personally Of
frnsive 10 individual members or a state Of
this Union.
Mr. Campbell Of Ohio wished to know
whether the offering Of this would prevent
him from amending the original resolve.
The Speaker replied 1t would not prevent
Mr.. Campbell from pertecuug the original
proposition.
llessrs. Dean Of CT and Matteson Of n.
Y. objected to Mr.. Engish's amendment
Mr.. Campbell said he should move the pre-
yious question. so as TO take vote on Mon
day morning, with the understanding thstif
the parties implicated desired TO be heard,
be would Withdraw the motion ior their bene-
dt. but not for re-openlng general debate.
Voices" that's right
Mr. Comins of Mass, trusted IT Mr. Brooks
desired TO address tho House he would be al
lowed to speak on Monday morning.
Mr. Cullen of Del. was folly satisfied that
the house had jurisdiction over the subject,
but Mr. Edmundson should be exempt from
the censure proposed by the committee if
prompted by his feelings he could wish Mr..
Brooks acquiital, but sense Of public duty
compelled him to say that Mr. Brooks should
be punished
Mr. Boyce OF S c. argued tia, 30 man
could be punished excep, ln pursuance Of
previous Jaw. The act Of Mr.. Brooks was
not dsorderly conduct, ~ the sense the cons
sttntion intended. The power 20 eXpel did
not embrace general class Of oiirnses, bat
was restricted 10 Olienscs which violated the
rules of order
Mr. Etheudge Of Tenn relied on the clause
Of the constitution which had been quoted 20
show that the House had no jurisdiction over
this oilense, to prove that the same clause
does confer jurisdiction relative TO the Ques-
ton, for what cause may the House eXpel
member that was for the House tu determine
This power had never been abused and would
not be- now. lie condemned the extremes Of
both sections.
1t was then agreed tina, the speeche, in
ths debate should he limited to ID minutes,
owing 20 the many who wished 10 speak. A.
this period more than three iounhs Of the
members retired to dinner
Mr. Nichols OF OHIO SAID this matter consti-
tuted On ofense Of which the House should
take cosn.zance. When Books concluded
10 assau sumner be made uD his uund 10
take all the consequences, therefore neither
he nor his friends should complain of the
House expressing his disapprloauon of the
aci.
Mr. Knapp Of Massachusetts earnestly
condemned the assault, and endorsed the SEN
tmenis of Massachusetts, as expressed ln
the resolutions OF her Legislature.
Mr.. B, oouraff of Connecticut spoke otlhe
assault Ar a brutal outrage. 1t had been said
taa' there was not spirit aud mau.lne5s en-
ough here "a purge the body, bu' let trial
be made aud then II will be known who dare
screen audsciiy and give countcnance to the
crime
Mr. Savage Of Tenn said Nj. Brooks bad
violated law for which he had more Than
atnned Instead Of being punished, Mr.
Brooks should have statute erected 10 his
honor Summers speech was the most cor.
rupl and ahomlnabe collection Of tslsehoed
and malice aud SANDER that ever enanated
from any man IN any age.
Messrs Taylor OF In, Stewart Of Nd
Branch of y c Houston Of Ala, Bowie OF
Nd, Ready OF Tenn. and Florence of Penn.
denied that there was constitutional Jursdlc-
ton 100 the ptemisc-. Messrs. Oliver of \
Y, Kunkel Of Penn, Hall of Mass, Dunee
of R. l., Purylance OF Penn, Letter of Ohm,
aud Campbell Of Penn, took the opposite
ground The latter said If a monument Is
to be- erected TO NJ. Brooks let Il be erected
on Southern soil, bearing the Inscription,
" Freedom OF speech with freedom Of cudg
eln
During the debate Mr.. Edmundson of 5
G.. said he wished to be heard before the de-
bate closed.
Mr.. Campbell of Ohio said he did not in-
tend moving the previous question, I'LL every
member, directly or Indirectly Implicated,
should be heard.
Mr. Edmuudson asked whether any notice
had been served upon him relative to the ac-
ton contemplated against him Every rule
of right had been violated in his case.
Mr.. Letcher Of Va. said the remedy for the