THE WORLD'S FAMOUS ORATIONS strength, it occurred to me that he might wrest it from my hand, and then — for I never attempt anything I do not perform — I might have been compelled to do that which I would have re- gretted the balance of my natural life. My answer is, that the senator would not accept a message; and having formed the un- alterable determination to punish him, I believed that the offense of ' ' sending a hostile message, ' ' superadded to the indictment for assault and battery, would subject me to legal penalties more severe than would be imposed for a simple assault and battery. That is my answer. To such as have given their votes and made their speeches on the constitutional principles involved, and without indulging in personal vilification, I owe my respect. But, sir, they have written me down upon the history of the country as worthy of expulsion, and in no un- kindness I must tell them that for all future time my self-respect requires that I shall pass them as strangers. And now, Mr. Speaker, I announce to you and to this House, that I am no longer a member of the Thirty-fourth Congress.^ ^ On concluding this speech Mr, Brooks walked out of the House. 176
