Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 14 (of 20) — John Shaqi
Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 14 (of 20)Sumner, Charles
History
Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 14 (of 20)
Sumner, Charles
Slavery -- United States; Speeches, addresses, etc., American
Now, Sir, apply that principle to your journal. It has recognized a
man as judge in his own case. I insist that the recognition was void.
Is not the true remedy by amending the journal so as to strike out his
name? The journal discloses the two essential facts,--first, that as
Senator he was party to the proceedings, secondly, that as Senator he
was judge in the proceedings; and since these two facts appear on the
face of the journal, it seems to me that the only substantial remedy is
by amending it, so that a precedent of such a character shall not find
place hereafter in the records of the Senate.
Sir, this question is not insignificant; it is grave. It belongs to the
privileges of the Senate. I might almost say, it is closely associated
with the character of the Senate. Can Senators sit here and allow one
of their number, on an important occasion, to come forward and play at
the same time the two great parts, party and judge? And yet these two
great parts have been played, and your journal records the performance.
Suppose Jesse D. Bright, some years since expelled from the Senate,
after animated debate lasting weeks, and our excellent Judiciary
Committee reporting in his favor,--suppose he had undertaken to vote
for himself,--is there a Senator who would not have felt it wrong to
admit his vote? The defendant showed no want of hardihood, but he
did not offer to vote for himself. But, if Mr. Stockton can vote for
himself, how can you prevent a Senator from voting to save himself from
expulsion? The rule must be the same in the two cases. Therefore I ask
that the journal be rectified, in harmony with Parliamentary Law and
the principles of Universal Law.
In making this motion, I have no other motive than to protect the
rights of the Senate, and to establish those principles of justice
which will be a benefit to our country for all time. You cannot lightly
see a great principle sacrificed. You abandon your duty, if you allow
an elementary principle of justice to be set at nought in this Chamber.
Be it, Sir, our pride to uphold those truths and to stand by those
principles. I know no way in which we can do it now so completely as in
the motion I have made. The vote of Mr. Stockton was null and void. It
should be treated as if it had not been given.
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