Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1837-10-07
THE MISSISSIPPI REPRESENTATIVES,.

HE EAlooloSlfEl hBfMEaoEsAf a AAh nsc.
A correspondent Of the Baltimore Gassiis,
gives the following VIVID sketch Of the debate, on
the first day Of the session Of the present Con-
gress, relative to the sitting members from Miss
issippi.
"The incidental debate, that was had Yesterday
on the subject Of the Mississippi election. and
which was called up By Mr.. Charles Fenton Mer-
Ger, Of Virginia, was a very interesting affair II
awakened a deal of feeling at the outset, and
whilst It was in progress, and commanded the
most profound attention.
"The gentlemen who claim seats from Miss
issippi, Messrs. Claiborne & Gholsou. are young
men, and are precisely at that period Of life when
the scnsbties are most easily excited and the pas.
sions are readily innamed. Both are melted to &C.
ton by an honorable ambition, and hence !; is, that
any embarrassment that is presented TO impede
their course Of march up the ladder Of ambition
is quite sure to call forth an ebullition of feeling
That they did not like tho resolution that was
offered by Mr.. Mercer, which in effect proposed
their eiectment, was certain. and both were pre-
pared to repel what they were pleased to consider
a proposed tact Of prescription" with all due
warmth and zeal.
Mr.. Gholson rose first 10 reply to Mr. MCr-
Ger. He was cool, calm and collected. aud
whilst he commended for the right to seat in the
III the House Of Representatives at that moment
and ill the legal expiration Of the Congress, he
Indignantly repelled the idea that he would be
ready or anxious to hold place to which be
was not entitled. Whilst he spoke "a thrilling
silence" peryaded the audience, which was moi
broden till he took his seat, and Mr.. Mercer rose
TO reply to his observations.
"Mr. Mercer, who is an aged gentleman, poss.
essing much Of the cour,ly manners Of the OLD
English school, next rose, AMID the momeniar,
hustle and hum Of the house, 10 disclalm the en-.
tertainment Of any hostile feelings toward the
gentleman from Mississippi what he said, was
certainly Of the most conciliatory and comp
menlary character. When he had concluded
Mr.. Claiborne, who Ind sat very impatiently il
his chair whilst the debate was going on, leapcC
upon the floor, and addressed the Clerk. Iii,
appearance, at all times calculated to awaken The
attention ofthe house, was douby calculated L
excite interest on this occasion. Constitutional,
and physically feeble, and at all times wearing
countenance somewhat pale, he was now render.
cd unusually pald by recent temporary indispo'
sitions; and his face was dsfgured by severa
black patches which had been applied to cove
deep wounds which he had received by being
few days since upset IN stage coach. His who'll
appearance was that Of emaciaton. He ros
with frmness, and yet US he addressed the clerk
who was temporarily speaker, evident trcmor
the result Of his passion, was Glscovcrablc on tn
lip.
"Emaciated and debilitated as am Mr.. CLERK
said Mr.. Claiborne, | will not deign TO 20 int
any argument touching my right to seat on thi
floor. come here the representative OF Ere
and brave, and an independent People. The
sent me to this city, and delegated me to thl
place, and ,uiH hold il, until am legally an
constilutionally elected by a majority Of the vote
Of my Peers.--And who are they who claim tn
right and the power Of denying to me aud my co
league, the rights which belong to the free rcT
resentatves Of the American people Are 20
an organized body i-Are you possessed OF an
legislative rightsi Does the gentleman irol
Virginia, OF any other gentleman on this foo
hold "a seat by tenure better than that by whic
hold mine!
Mr. Mercer nodded negatively, and admiite
that his claim to a sea, in the House il il WI
organized was no better than that of Mr.. Cla
borne's
II cannot and ,rili mol surrender my seat, COZ
tlnued MIR. Claiborne until tho American lIou.
Of Representatives elects me by its vote. An
sir, whom you swear the House, will proceed
the Woolsack, and sir, | ,riR claim to be swor
as Representative Of the Sovereign and Iud,
pendant State Of Mississippi. will demand III
privilege as an American citizen, sent here by Il
people Of Mississippi to watch over her interes,
her lame, and her chartered and inherent rights
The effect Of this eloquent philippe was II
mendous. 1t was uttered in a tone of mainline
that could not be resisted, as was fully evinccd
the fact that when the motion of Mr.. Mercer "
acted upon, il obtained only five votes iii its 81
port.
OF the merits of,he question ut issue knt
nothing, nor Of the politics ofthe parties, bu
know, that never witnessed more INTEREST,"
scene, and never listened 10 more eloquent I
bate since have been acquainted with the Am,
ican Congress-C Charleston Is. CO. Mercury,
FAIR BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS.
We copy the following from the Pennsylvania
yITha landau Seundarb InaJ;nv tc.,, 400