Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1837-11-04
MISSISSIPPI ELECTION.

7
although tie majority vas somewhat larger than
any cue anticipated, It can be very satisfactorily
accounted for. On the abstrac, question Of the
right Of the members elect 10 seats, there did ex-
list very strong doub, IN the minds of many gen
uemen Of opposite parties. For myself, did
otihnk, that Messrs Claiborne and Gholson
could possibly be- elecled, and yet their prospect
Of success was, mp to Tuesday evening, excee-
dinghy dubious.
Il was al a late hour Of that evening, that Mr.
Ma on Of Ohio delivered somewhat elaborate
speech against the report Of the majority Of the
Committee on Elections; and whilst going on
with his argument, he stated, that the people Of
Mississippi, # the sitting members we're allowed
to hold the places they occupied, would be cheat
ed out Of their rights, inasmuch as they went to
the polls in july, deceived INTO the opinion, that
they were voting Tor members Of Congress, to
hold their seats h ihe next regular session of
Congress. Although Mr.. Mason, did not intend
70 cast eny upuiaton toward any one, he mani
| iesty spoke uagaardadly. and reused an unpleas-
ant sensation 10 the bosoms Of Messrs Claiborne
and Gholson. From the day that the subject Of
their right 10 seats had first been discussed, they
had modcsty Kept lhomscve. j. Ne back ground
refusing TO ,-..e any part IN the discussion that eli
] cited But,ho remarks Of Mr.. Mason, though
not unkIndly intended, were rather irritating, and
Mr.. Gholson rose with all that cool deberatlon,
for which he Is proprbia, aud asked Mr.. Mason
to suffer him 10 correct him. Assent having been
nodded, Mr.. Gholson told Mr.. Mason, that the
people Of Mississippi had not and could not be
deceived by tho individuals who had been sen, by
them 10 Congress. Although, all this vas SAID,
with M AR OF calmness and mdness. yet there
was Iirmness and deberation in the manner
of the man, which told story that could not be
| misunderstood! Mr.. Claiborne, who had lusl
come into the hall, asked leave to add few
words. He had heard second handed Nhat MI.
Mason sold, and MS it had probably been some.
what msrepresenled, he took the floor deeply
excited, aud, in0lmed by all that indignant and
whitening scorn for which he IS proverBial, he IN.
dlgnanly exclaimed, "Sir, have tie honor to
come from people, who are as incapable Of be-
ing swlndled out Of their rights, as and my col
league are incapable Of swindrng them. We
were elected by the free wilIed suiages Of an IN
dependent and high minded people; as their
representatives we came here; u such we have
acted, aud as such we mean to act, TIL we are
elected by vote Of the House 1t is alleged,
that tho people Of Mississippi bave been swindled
out Of their rightsl How sir by whom, and
whenl Let me tell the gentleman from Ohio,
that tho people of Mississippi understood the
question Of our right TO seats before The election
was had; It was discussed freely and fully by oy-
cry press IN the State; II was rs familiar as house.
hold words to every man, woman and child and
lot me tell the gentleman nom Ohio, that not u
man on earth questioned our beng elected for
the full term OF two years, I'LL the question was
raised IN Tennessee for he purpose of swlndlng
the people OF Mississippi out Of their suIirages.
And does the gentleman from Ohio mean to ia
sinuale that we would hold our seats II moment,
it we veto not satisfied that We were entitled to
our paecsl Sir il VIC cnertured a doubt on
that subject "a ,auch as we honor the high priv
lcge OF holding seats on this floor, We would cast
lhehaJb!e ASIDE, and return to the bosom of our
constituents, sw,ndc the people of Mississippi,
sirl let me tell that gentleman, they cannot be
swlndedl Mr.. Mason explained, and discaim.
ed all design OF offering any lndgnlly TO the pco-
pic, and with great good feeling, expressed the
hgh estimation u which the gentlemen from
Mississippi was held by him.
II Is necessary to remark by way of explana-
ton, that Mr.. Claiborne, in referring to Tennes-
soc, alluded to an attack that was originally made
on the Mississippi election, by the Nashville
Banner, and followed up by the Lynchburg VII.
gilman, and the Boston Atlas. But, for that at
tack the Mississippi Election would not have
been disputed. II Is believed that tho attack was
made at the instance of Mr.. John Bell The
ronatks Of Mr.. G alborne TO which have refer
red, had powerful effect on the House, as was
ovinccd at the instant
The Honorable John +. II. Claiborne, is de-
cidedyone OF lie most eoquentmen IN Congress.
I, Personally, he is execedlns,,y popular among all
parties; and, among the wings finds so!e OF his
best lriends, notwithstanding his devotion to the
administration. His course has always been
firm aud manly, yet conclatory, and the whole
conduct of the man, has been such as 10 WIN toI
him the need Unpopular applause. His own par.
,. ~ is warmly attached to him; all the South Caro-
lima delegation went with the administration tt
sustain the Mississippi Election, and some cigh
or ten wings, satisfied of the justice of the clam,
OF Mcssrs. Claiborne and Ghoson gave then
their suffrage, In fact, there were Not few gen
temen, Of all parties, who were ANXIOUS 10 retalt
the Mlssissippi representatives. Their contin
uation in Congress, was considered somewha
important to the repoSe OF the House. MIR
GhoIson soon al'or he cane into the House
! fouad il almost at the mercy Of Mr. Henry \
: WISE That gentleman, by his brol. beating aut
, vehement defamation, had almost terror stuckel
all who hei the practice of duelling in aba
renee; aud thus was lcii TO lord 1t just as h
9 geascd. Mr.. Gholson, who was new mem
5 Der, looked wt,h good natured smile on thl
5 state thugs, and Arrived al the conclusion, tina
! il was time that do end was put to ii. Ii SO hap
! pened, that few days alter, Messrs. Wise am
PeYton' planted themselves IN prominent par
: Ithe House, aud undertook to play off the SAM
! game OF disorder that had on previous occasion
distinguished them at the outset Of that day
: Messrs. Gholson and Claiborne, entered the are
ma with them, aud at the instant let the gentlemen
!, understand that there was two men in the House
, who cnnll moi he lrnMnod out Of nxlslence. Mes