Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-02-11
Expulsion OF senator BrIghf.

EApuiSIOu U SeuatOF nElSUts
Notwithstanding the Senatorial Cons
mittee, TO which was referred the charges
agains. Senator Bright, of Indiana, reports
ed that they were not sufficient to justify
expulsion, the Republican majority. on the
9Th inst, voted for expelling hnn-and as
he was 10 longer member. he LEFT the
Senate Chamber. Two Republicans, Har-
ris, of N Y and Cewan. of nsylsania,
aud the Democratic members voted against
the expulsion.
1t is thus that the Republican Senate
rial cabal are exercising their power. The
only charge against Mr.. Bright was that
be gave letter OK introduction to q vender
of patent firearms, addressed to jefferson
Davis, as President Of the Confederate
States, before the commencement of the
civil war, when everybody supposed the
troubles would be settled without blood
shed. Mr. Bright disclaimed all remem-
berence Of the letter and made q eloquent
and patriotic speech in his own defence.
He said he was an opponent of secession
that every impulse of his heart was given
- his country, aud he yielded to no mnn
in his attachment to it--and that he bad
never preached Abolitionism or disunion,
or gave secrete or public aid to the dis
uDionists, North or South.
But the Abolitionists were not satisfied
with this. They must 90 back beyond the
actual outbreak Of hlstiliues to fiu6 grounds
upon which 10 justify the expulsion of a
Senator of a sovereign State.
We shall enter into NJ defence of the
conduct of Mr.. Bright. But we believe
that his chief offence in the eyes Of North-
| ern emancipationists is, that he has been
9 firm opponent to their REASONABLE doc
trines-in other words, that he is Ia true
Union man-a Democrat.
The Senate doubtless has the right to
expel Senators for misdemeanor, corrup'
| ton, or treason, but as none of these were
proven against Mr.. Blight, we presume
be was turned out because he did not hap.
pen to coincide with the majority on polit
zeal topics. If this process Of expulsion il
to be carried out by the dominant inter.
est in the Senate, the constitutional right;
of representation becomes sham and
cheat. Senator Hale may present petitioni
for a dissolution of the Union Senator
Wade may proclaim that it is not wortl
preserving and other Senators may aiC
the enemy by their fauatical opposition t,
the policy of the Administration and TIL
Generals in the army, without being cen
sured or expelled, but Bright is sent adrif
because it has been alleged, not proven
that he wrote a foolish letter of introduc
ton 10 JEFF. Davis before the commencement
of the war.
The dominant party in the Senate hav
the power to expel every Democrat frcn
that body il they choose. Powell has al
ready been threatened; and Starke, O
Oregon, has not been permitted to take hi
seat, because they depreciate Abolition
ism. The test may be applied to others
as it was to Bright, until the last Demo
crat ami conservative man is driven out
But it would be well for the Summers an,
Hales and Wades and TrumbulIs to re
member that there is power behind tht
throne, and that their practices of expelin,
Senators without just cause may return t
plague the inventors.