Article 1, Section 6, Paragraph 1
The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
Privilege from Arrest
This was a very thoughtful clause in light of the fact that the president or others could have members of the houses arrested or hassled to control votes and badger members.
However, because corruption exists at such levels of government, there were three categories that they agreed needed to be exempted from freedom from arrest.
The first one is treason. This is any act to overthrow the government.
There are times when God sanctions treason. Rahab was rewarded for showing loyalty to the Israelites even though she lived in the wicked kingdom of Jericho. She was given safe haven by the Israelites.
Hebrews 11:31, "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace."
On the other hand, when Miriam and Aaron rebelled against Moses, they were roundly punished. God Himself stepped in and punished them.
Numbers 12:1, "And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman."
Numbers 12:9-10, "And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous."
An appointed officer of the government must be loyal to the government, and do all possible to forward righteousness. In actuality, anything less is treason.
Next, felony was mentioned. A felony is a crime that may require imprisonment for more than a year or death. (Webster’s Dictionary).
It must be noted that how an official spends his time will dictate what he does. If he commits a crime, it is because his time is not valued and regulated.
The third issue was a "breach of peace." This is doing anything to incite disruption of the quietness of citizens. This is a broad term, encompassing many different issues from ignoring moral obligation to inciting riots.
We are told to be peaceful unto all people. A diplomatic person knows how to behave.
Proverbs 20:3, "It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling."
How we spend our time will dictate what kind of person we are and what we do. Officials need to value their time. Medved reported TV has doubled crime in America.... Hollywood vs. America, pg. 248-9.
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