True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-07-30
convey with Them the right to punish con-

convey with them the right to punish con-
iempts committed in their presence"
The court then say that this concession
Of the power ,cithin their wals &" relin-
qulshes the great grounds of the argu-
ment, to wit: the want Of an express grant
and the unrestricted and underlined nature
of the power here set up For why
should the House be at liberty to exercise
an ungranted and unlimited, and unde.
fined power, within their walls, any more
than without them :" i- I"t "t@
The court finally say, upon the ques-
ton raised of restricting the jurisdic-
licn of the House for the punishment Of
contempts TO the District of Columbia,
that there is no reason for such restric-
tiou and the court add: ~,
"We know no bounds that canbe pres
cribeG to its range but those of the United
States. And why should it be restricted
to other boundaries =! Such are the linn
its of the legslaling powers of that body;
and the inhabitants of Louisiana or Maine
may as probably charge them with brib-
cry of corruption, or attempt by letter 10
induce the commission of either, as the
inhabitants of any other section of the
Union" .- 80" 3
Iconclude, sir, that there can be no
question that this House has the power to
punish and expel its members for breach
Of its privileges, for contempt of its au.
thority, and for such high crimes and
misdemeanors as are inconsistent with
their public trust and duties as members.
whether committed in the presence Of the
House, and during its actual session, or
not. The opinions Of jurists. and the
decision Of our highest court, which ]
have cited, most clearly establish this.
| consider that, beyond question, the
act committed by the member from south
Carolina Mr.. Brooks is a contempt o.
: this House, violation of his duty as {
member thereof, and high crime against
{ the people and their right of representa-
, tion. So. -.
. We have seen, sir, that Senator. fol
an act inconsistent with his duty as Sena-
tor, but not committed against any mem.
Der Of that body nor during its session,
nor in its presence, was expelled: thai
Duane, not a member, was simprisoned for
printing libel-an ofFense not commit.
ted in the Senate nor to the disturbance
of its proceedings, and for which the off.
ender was liable to Indictment and pun.
isbment in the courts, and that Randall,
not member, was imprisoned by this
House for secret attempt to bribe one
Of its members. In administering jus.
tice here, will recognize no privileged
class" If Blunt could be lawfully cx.
PEELED, and Duane and Randall lawfully
} imprisoned, l insist that, for like offense
the member from South Carolina may
and should, be dealt with in like manner
History, sir, the great avenger Of wrong
has recorded this crime upon the peoples
life, and stands ready to record its dreat
condemnation against this House if it re
fuse 10 infict the punishment which tina
crime deserves. Consider the subject o
this offense, the alleged provocation, the
method, the place. the avowed purpose
the approval, and the fit condemnation,
The brilliant and distinguished Senator
from Massachusetts is the subject Of thi
assault-that Senator who, notwithstan
! ding the attempt Of the gentleman from
, North Carolina Mr.. Cllngman to defam,
: him, holds now, and will hold, a larg
place in the affection and admiration o
t his counhymen, That Senators, sir, de-
{ nounced the audacious crime which j
being committed in Kansas. In his plac,
as SENATOR he made powerful and con
8 vincing argument against the unparalleled
| conspiracy which is subjec,ing that younl
l empire Of the West to cruel and rebent
, less tyranny-a tyranny which infict
3 death on citizens guilty of no offens
l against the laws which sacks their town
F and plumbers and burns their habitations
n whichlegalizes, throughout that vast ex
: tent Of territory, ,::chattel slavery, that Grim
G Of ofcrimes--that sum Of all villanies, whic
|. makes merchandise of immortality, ant
d like the curse of 'Kehama, smites til
Q earth with barrenness--that crime whicl
= blights the human intellect, and blasts th
e human heart and maddens the hnma
,f brain, and dtcrushes the human soul-atha
J. crime which puts out'tbe light and hush
e es the sweet voices Of home--which sha
d ters its altar and scstters darkness an
desolation over its hearthstone- -.that Grim
d which dooms men to live without know
r edge, to toll without reward, 10 die will
% out hope--thal crime which sends littl
d children to the shambies and makes til
,r mother forget her love for !her child i
n, the wild Joy she feels that. through ut
le timely deaib inflicted by her own hand.
le she has saved her offspring from his dan
Is ming curse, and sent its infant spirit, fre
y from this horrid taint, back to the Go
8 that gave IT, s''ss ''s . ~ ~ " = -
II Against this internal and atrocious "
pr amy upheld and being accomplishs
1t through stupendous conspiracy, h
4. Senator from Massachusetts, faithful
Of his own convictions, faithful TO the hol
d, cause of liberty, faithful 10 his countl
to and his God, entered his protest, and n
ir tered bis manly and powerful dsnunci