The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-24 00:00:00

THE FIGHT IN CONGRESS.

The Washington correspondent of the New York
Times gives the following account of the fracas in
the House of Representatives :
" The telegraph has already given you a general
statement of fact that we had a grand row in
the House of Representatives at about 4 o'clock this
morning, but some additional particulars may be
found of interest. The Auti-Lecompton men yes-
terday determined to have a vo'e at once upon the
proposition of Mr. Harris to refer the Constitution
of Kansas to a select committee, with instructions
to investigate the frauds alleged to have been com-
mitted in connexion with the formation of that in-
strument and the electien held under it. The
Leconiptonites, upon counting noses, found them-
selves decidedly in the minority, and so determined
to stave off the vote until they should have had
time to consult, an I, if possible, effect changes
enough to save defeat. So they began the game of
factious opposition, resorting to calls of the "Yeas"
snd. "Nays" on motions to adjourn, calls of the
house, &c. This they kept up from 3 o'clock yes-
terday afternoon until 6 this morning, the Anti-
Lecompton men pressing steadily for a vote on the
previous question, and expressing their determina-
tion never to yield to it. The Douglas Democrats
were as firm and unyielding in the contest as the
most faithful of the Republican leaders, and deserve
all praise for their conduct-.
"Everything passed off, however, in excell,nt
temper, and with less excitement than is usual to
night sessions, until near four o'clock this morn-
ing. Mr. Grow, who is the recognised Repub-
lican leader in the house, went over to the
Democratic side of the hail to talk with Mr. Hick-
man, of Pennsylvania. As he turned to leave Mr.
Quitman rose and asked to make an explanation.
Mr. Grow objected to any speeches which
were out of order, and then started down the
aisle with a view of running to his own, seat,
when Mr. Keitt, of South Carolina, called out to
him, asking, Why don't you go over on your own
side, God d— you, if you want to object ? What
business have you over on this side, anyhow or
something to ti at effect.
"Mr. Grow replied, quietly and coolly, saying,
This is a free hall, and I have the right to object
from Any part of it when I choose.' Then, in re-
sponse to au appeal from Mr. Harris, of Indiana,
Mr. Grow withdrew his objection, in order to per-
mit Mr. Quitman to go on. By this time Keitt,
who seems to have supposed that he had only to
look ferociously at a Northern man to wilt' him—
and who presumed, perhaps, upon the fact that be
is a more athletic man than the gentleman from
Pennsylvania—had crossed over to meet Mr. Grow.
As the latter was about to pass Keitt inquired in a
ruffianly tone, ' What did you mean by that an-
swer which you gave me just now
" I meant preciseiy what I said—that this is a
free hall, and I will olsjaet from whatever part of
it I see fit,' was Mr. Grow's reply, as he looked his
assailant calmly in the faoe. The chivalrous and
gentlemanly South Carolinian returned to the
charge, saying, show you, you d—d Black
Republican puppy !' Mr. Grow, still unexcited,
answered, You may think me what you please,
Mr. Keitt; but let me tell you that no nigger-
driver shall come up from his plantation to crack
his lash about my ears 1' We'll see about that,'
said Keitt, as he caught Mr. Grow by the throat.
Mr. Grow threw his assailant's hand off, and Mr.
Reuben Davis, also of Mississippi, who had fol-
lowed Mr. Keitt, evidently with the intention of
restraining him, interposed at once for peace.
"This ended the difficulty for an instant, but
almost immediately Keitt broke from Mr. Davis
and rushed upon Grow, seizing him again by the
throat, when the latter planted a blow under the
left ear of the gentleman from South Caro-
lina,' which sprawled him fairly upon his face
on the floor. Mr. Keitt picked himself up, and
after some ineffectual and random passes left the
hall, and was seen no more until after the melee
ended, except by some friends who sponged his
bruises. I understand he is under the impression
that he 'stubbed his toe,' and so fell. The mistake
certainly is excusable, for the blow which he
provoked from Mr. Grow's long-suffaiing patience
was so severe that he would hardly be expected to
have any very clear recollection of the circum-
stances
" These transactions, which take so much time to
relate, were the work of a very few minutes, and all
occurred on the Democratic side of the House.
When the blow was struck a dozen Southern men
rushed towards the parties, some doubtless to keep
the peace, and others to have a hand in the fight.
Barksdale of Mississippi, M`Qtteen, of South Caro-
lina, Craige, of North Carolina, and Reuben Davis
were prominent in the scrimmage. Barksdale spe-
cifically states, and I doubt not truly, that his only
object was to separate the combatants. He and
other opponents seized upon Grow at once, as Keitt
was already hors de combat. To gentlemen on the
other side of the hall itlooked very much as though
the gentleman from Pennsylvania was about to be
cut into mincemeat, and the Anti-Lecompton men
rushed over in a body to the resolve Foremost c one
Mr. Potter, of Wisconsin, a very athletic, compact
man, who bounded into the centre of the excited
group, striking right and left with tremendous
vigour. Washburne, of Illinois, and his brother,.o ofe
Wisconsin, also were prominent, and for a minute
or two it seemed as though we were to have
a_
Kil-
kenny fight on a magnificent scale.k Barksdale
bmarevberde
bold of Grow when Potter struck him
blow, supposing that he was hurting
nenigsupposiog it
gentle-
man. Barksdale turning
Grow, and struck out
was Elihu Washburneet whot
harounde gentleman
struck him f r
o droppedm Ii
li.
ashburne perceiving the at-
tacknois. brotherCadwallader
also made air
dash at Mr.
upon
for the purpose
h.
Barksdale,
inHCaodr--
anhdis
toefiddrahwimingbybitnahe aephpaattreeenttyl,y
agt is
camef ac ti oorffe
pummelinglitibciletorelate,
Mr.raßtaorkgsdreaalet.'esrws
force against the unresisting
wadader's left hand, and his right fist expended
itself with tremendous
dr. This ludicrous incident did much towards re-
storing good nature subsequently, and its effect was
heightened not a little by the fact that in the ex-
citement of the occasion Barksdale restored his wig
wrong side foremost.
"There seemed to be very little method in the
struggle, and it was hard to tell who was in for
earnest and who was trying to restore order. The
Speaker yelled and rapped for order without effect.
The Sergeant-at-Afms stalked to the scene of battle,
mace in hand, but his American eagle' had no
more effect than the Speaker's gavel. Owen, Love-
joy, and Lamar, of Mississippi, were pawing each
other at one point—each probably trying to per-
suade the other to be still. Mr. Mott, the grey-
haired Quaker representative from Ohio, was seen
going here and there in the crowd. Davis, of Mis-
sissippi, got a severe but accidental blow from Mr.
Grow, and various gentlemen sustained slight
bruises and scratches. A Virginia representative,
she thought Montgomery, of Pennsylvania, was
about to t
pitch in,' kid his Land ulna Lis arm to