The national Republican., 1862-02-06
THE EXPULSION OF sENATOR JESSE
d. BRIGHT.

ID. BHA0HVs
Yesterday, the Senate, after hard fought
battle, achieved victory which will be worm
much 70 the cause Of freedom; and while
satisfies justice, II will warm the hssrt Of tne
patriot, and nerve The arm Of the soldier who
stands ready 10 peril his life 70 sustain our
country against the arts and violence OF trail
tors.
But, since Senator has been expelled the
Senate upon the charge Of treason, let US briefly
state the case, that all may clearly under
stand It.
1t is charged, and not denied, that on the lst
day Of March last, the Senator from Indiana
addressed letter to Jefferson Davis, q the
following tenor:
WASHINGTON March l, 1861.
Ny DEAR sn: Allow me to introduce to your
acquaintance my friend Thomas b. Lincoln, OF
Texas. He visits your capital mainly 70 ois.
pose of what he regards great Improvement
In fre arms. 1 recommend him to your favor.
able consideration - q gentleman Of the first
| respectability, and reliable In every respect.
'' "' ' JESSE D. BRIGHT.
To His Excellency JErFEnsoS DAVIS,
President Of the Confederation Of Sdes.
In this letter we have prind facs Q evidence
that It's author was disloyal. During the whole
debate 10 ths ssqste, Mr.. Bright never attempt
ed to overcome, by explanation, or TO produce
evidence that he had changed his views, or
was any more loyal now than when he wrote
the letter.
No man who had not treason in bis heart
would have thus entered into fellowship with
traitors.
But now let us see what has been his con-
duct since his arraignment before the Senate and
the country that we may be enabled to deduce
correct and just conclusions as to the purpose
for which It was written, and to this end we
here introduce the remarks Of Senator Brown.
ing, which, while they clearly explain Mr..
Bright's position, warrant the logical deduc.
ton Of bis guilt:
The only declaration made by the Senator
from which any reasonable deduction can be
drawn upon the subject 10 bis often repeated
and emphatic assertion that he Is opposed to
all coercive measures by this Government fol
the purpose Of putting down the rebellion.
What Is the deduction from that! l state,
sir, the conclusion Of my own mind and when
| have stated that, have stated all that
propose to say. l state 1t in this form he
who desires the success Of the rebellion, the
, permanent separation of the States, and the
recognition Of the Southern Confederacy a. an
independent government, is guilty Of moral
treason against the United States l think
D there can be no doubt of the truth Of that
e proposition. He who is opposed to coercive
measures for the suppression OF the rebellion
does desire the success Of the rebellion the
permanent separation of the States and the
8 recognition OF the Southern Confederacy Eve
, ry man is supposed to desire and intend the
natural result of his own act. There are
no means known under heaven by whiGh
e these results can be prevented, except by
e the use Of the physical power OF the Govern
n ment, and the resort 10 cOercive measures
and be, therefore, who is opposed to coercivt
l measures must desire the legitimate, logica
6 results Of his own principles and his own acts
e | Then, sir, state, the Senator from Indiana il
opposed TO all coercive measures for the cup
preston of the rebellion; he IL, therefore, ia
vorable to the success Of the rebellion, the per
manent separation Of the States, and the recog
milton Of the Southern Confederacy, and is
+ therefore, guilty Of moral treason against tn
a United States and for that cause think !
!. would be our duty to expel him.
But, Mr. President, when the sentiments ar
d reasonable If they ripen into an overt act cal
r culated to give them practical effect, this be
comes actual treason, subject 10 indictment ant
punishment. The reasonable sentiments of tn
d Senator from Indiana did take on the form O
r an overt act; and the conclusion in regard h
% that overt act may be stated thus: when bod,
. Of men are actually assembled to effect by fore
reasonable purpose, all who knowingly per
ls form any act, however minute, or however re
?, mote from the scene Of action, tending to Civ
=. aid and comfort to the enemy, to the traitors
or to effectuste the reasonable purpose, are Il
be considered as traitors ia contemplation o
.. law. On the lst Of March, 1861, a body OF mel
I. were actually assembled 10 effect by force tn
% reasonable purpose of dismembering this Gov
" ernmsnt The Senator from Indiana did, witt
q full knowledge Of such purpose, perform al
3, overt act calculated to give aid and comfort Il
r those 80 assembled, and to further the accom-
plishment of their reasonable purpose. Tn
Senator from Indiana IL, therefore, In contem
e plation of law, traitor against the Cover
ment Of the United States. Painful as 1t ma
e be to my feelings personally, Mr.. President,
= feel constrained by that higher duty that ow
y to my country to vote, when the question sha
70 be put, for the expulsion Of the Senator.
A RARE SENATORIAL SPECTACLE.-Pendin
n the anticipated expulsion Of disloyal ass
al ciate, every Senator was yesterday afternoo