Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-07-19
The Case of Hon. p. s. Brooks

c>AS
The vote on the expulsion of Hon. P. s
Brooks from he Congress of The United States
was taken on Monday last, aud resulted for
expulsion 12l, asains. 95 Tvo-lbirJs no
having been obtained, he waa not expelled. =
Afief lie vote, Mr.. Brooks arose 10 address III
HoHse. Mr.. Gidd:nss objected. Finally, at
ter number Of appeals 10 Mr.. Giddiues !.
Withdraw his objections, be stated that he woul,
do so, notas courtesy 10 Mr.. B rocks, but Il
crafty his friends.
The members now crowded 10 the nei.bgo,.
hood Of Mr.. Blocks, ana The Spectators in tn
galleries manifested intense interest 10 bea,
him.
Mr. Brooks said that Mr.. Sumner uttered a
SANDER on his State and on a venerable relative
who AT the time was absent Not content W i'll
this he published a libel on his State and blood
Whoever nsued South Carolina, insulted him
and he stood ready at all times, humbly apc
modestly, as SOIL, to perform his duty. H,
should have forfeited his sef.respect ard tn
good opinion OF his countrymen, ii he had per.
mtied the offence TO pass urpunished.
IL was personal affair and in taking redres.
IN his own hands he mean, no disrespect 10 the
Senate or House. Nor diu he mean any disres.
pect 10 Massachusetts. He was aware OF the
personal responsibility he incurred and was pre-
pared 10 meet 1t! He knew he was amenable
10 ths laws which offered the same protection
TO every citizen, wfIehef niemoer OF Congress
or In the private walks of iife Nor did he
then believe ne would be punished By q cour
of law and here by majority OF The Houss al
the same time.
Ii he had committed breach of privilege he
was answerable TO the Senate, which body had
no right TO presen; him TO the House 70, pun
lshment' The question not onl, involved him
aud bis filends but the whole House. II tbs
consequences were confined to himself he would
be prepared to meet them here or elsew here. -
others, however, must not suffer for him. Ha
mad ielt more for his friends (Edmundson and
keIt) than himself. They are blameless
Each had proved ga friend, who sticke,h clio.
ser than brother" When, he remarked, the
people OF the great North speak OF me as bad
man. they will do me the justice 10 say tina, a
blow from me at this time would BE- followed
by revolution and they know ii. Applause,
seemingly confied to the galleries But no
act ofmlne shall favor revolution. am moi
Wiling to see the constitution wounded through
me.
He would say TO the House that the axe ap-
lifted over him may fall on them. He had on.
slstenliy with his seli-respect and rights under
The constitution. During this very session a
member from Pennsylvania charg q hiscolleague
with an attempt AT bribery. Where were The
i'll tina: case? By passing over it
IN silence, the House has declared that bribery
Is exeusable, but simple assault and battery
not. He spoke Of Massachusetts as being in
rebellion against The laws and constitution Of
The United States whilst sitting in judgment, on
him and demanding his expulsion without a
hearing He had never been called 10 order nor
had he offended any officer, yet the vote taken
to-day transmitted him to poslerty as unworthy
OF seat here because of dlsorderly behavior
In this connection he spose OF Mr. Pennington
rs "lhe prosecutor" the "thnmb paper" the
Fallslaffian MEMBER" for which the Speaker
called him to order,
Mr.. Brooks said that Mr. Pennington called
the assault mhrderous. and said that with a
b'udgeon attempted 10 kill Mr.. Sumner. NV
friend from Massachusetts has pretty good 81.
zed stick, and would thank him to raise ii and
submit II 10 The inspection OF tire gentleman
from New Jersey. MIR. De Witt held up his
stick for moment Laughter Now that
stick isfdouble the size OF The one used by me-
Mr.. Iraiton here rose and asked that the dis.
orderin the galleries be quielsd and that they
be cleared Kisses from the galleries
The Speaker said it the disturbance was 70.
pealed he would give that order
MIR. Jones, oil fennesses-Whv didn't hear
any up there Just now
Mr.. Brooks, Cooking lp.}--If I have irisnds
IN the galleries appeal 10 them 10 he qnie,,-
II desired 10 kill the Sepa.or from Massachu-
sets, Why didn't do it Youall admi, that
had 1t in my power. Let me tell the gentleman
from New Jersey that expressly to proven, the
taking OF HE had an ordinary cane presented
to me by friend in Baltimore. went to the
Senate chamber deliberately. | hesitated
whether should use horse. whip o: co'.hide.
knowing The strength CT HE Senator to be All
perlor 70 nine, thought he might wrest il from
me. II he had might have done what should
have regretted the remainder OF life. IA voice
He would have killed him Ten days ago,
toreseeing what The action OF the House would
be, my resignation was put into the hands OF
the Governor OF South Caf6t.ns.
Mr.. Brooks then replied to several othe. mem
bers who had said hard things of him, including
Mr. Comins, quoting his remark ''lhat h,gssa.
chusetts would lake her own time Tor the rem
ely." But he said he wonld never plead the
statute oil limitation against the wrath Of that
State He quoted from Mr.. Woodrnff's speech,
so strongly condemnatory OF his conduct, say
ing he thoug'.i gentleman uttering such sen.
timents, Ia iOemar worthy OF his steel.o He
related in the language of his friend Col. Saw
age how Mr.. Woodruff declined meeting MIR.
Brooks in a manner recognized by gentlemen.
The narrative ociasloned laughter He said TO
Mr. Wobdruff-go little wrech-ihsre is room
in this world for you and me. In his judgment,
the cock that crows and .ii not 6sbl is despi-
sed by hens and pulleis. Laugh!er.l
Abiding TO the remark OF James Watson
Webb which had been quoted .that the as
sauit deserved death on the spot,n he said il
those who endorsed that sentiment wished TO
play game OF ohivaffy bet them, with the
whole Republican crew, come and take
the life which they say is forfeited. II his OPP
ponents were satisfied with the present state OF
lac case, lie was. fse returned h,s thanks TO
his friends, especially 10 the good Northern
DEMOCRATS ami gentlemen who had the man
hood to stand by him, not forgetting John Scott
Harrison, oi Ohio. Some gentlemen he believ-
ed had voted against him contrary 10 their
wishes, but were operated upon by outside
pressure and he spoke in commentator Of
those who gave their votes without ndulglng
HE concluded BY saying: Mr.. Speaker, an
noance 10 you and the House that am no Ion
ger member Of the Thirty fourth Congress
CONFUSION, applause and hlsses, during which
Mr. Brooks retired.
The Alexandria Seminal of the 18th has the