Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1837-09-23
Respectfully,
A CITIZEN.
LETTERS FROM WAsnINGroN-No. l..

"
Gentlemen We had yesterday in the Capitol
one ofthe most exciting scenes have ever witness
ed. The members crowded into the noble hail Of
the House Of Representatives at - A. NJ, and the
spacious galleries were overfowing with the beauty
and fashion and intelligence of the Union. At IL
&c ock precisely, the ERIK in his well known clear,
load and musical voice. read the Presidents Proc
latnaten, under which Congress was convened, and
began to call the names of members, beginning at
Maine) from list he had made up from the news
paper returns. This has been the uniform and I'M
memorial usage in the House When the Clerk
arrived at Mississippi, and called out "Joha F. II.
Claiborne" Gen. Mercer Of Virginia rose and OBJ
ected to the CALL on tho ground that the election in
Mississippi vas illegal, in consequence of the Gov
ernor having undertaken to abrldge the Congression-
al term in his Writ of election, and upon the ground
that he had no right . issue the writ. Very great
interest now developed itself in MI quarters OF the
| hall. CD. Gholson responded to Gen. Mercer IN
very happy and impressive manner Gen. Mercer
again rose, and at great length and with some
warmth reiterated his objections This called up
Col. Claiborne He looked pale ana exhausted,
having his broken arm in sling and feared he
would be unequal TO the effort. In one moment,
however, discovered my mistake His eye light
ened up, anl his clear bal-ike voice rang through
the spacious hall "Ie turned to Mercer, aid de.
nounced The attempt to exclude him from his sea-
as an outrage upon the 1900 lrecmcn Of Nississp
ri, who had sent lin there; as high-handed, un
warranablc, and inexcusabc attempt al usurpatol
on the part Of mere association of men, who, a
vet had no legal Or official existence, the result
{ conspiracy caucus, and midnight concert He sal
he came here claiming to be representative Of tn
I people, bis appearance here in thc hall was itself
credeniia certificate ofhis election, no other gen
iemen stood on higher ground. He knew Ii.
rights, and he felt the honor and dignity Of his sta
zion, as the Representative ola gallant and enigtt
cned people. He would assert those rghlsand main
G tain that dignity BY presenting himself TO tie Cer
+, and DEMASplNa u be sworn, and il this was obecte
to he would challenge eyry gentleman present, claim
ind to be Representative, TO proue his right, beor
I being sworn H. lie said he was duly and legal
elected he intended TO claim bis scat to the full eX
tent Of his term, and that such an attempt at osrc
ism from the House, such an effort to smother th
: voice the icemenola sovereign state was enoug
to damn Any party that attempted it,"
] You will see the skeleton OF this Speech rcporie
in the Globe. II produced a powerful sensation
. tile House, and an audible murmur Of applause j
, the galleries. proctractsd debate great AM
= nation followed, and when the House divided o
h Mcrccrs propositionbut very lean minority vote
S with that gentleman. The very men who la
: urged him on sneaked out and left him to bear III
! disgrace alone. Thus, sir, have your two youn
It Representatives, come out with flying colos; the
Y each spoke for about half an hour and carried the
i point. They were sworn, and voted for Speake
&c Clerk sc. To add to the triumph ofthc day, c,
n Polk was elected Speaker over Bell, by triumph
m ant majority, and Notwithstanding John Scrgea
= tried to oist one ofhis aboltionsts upon the Hou
l. for Clerk, Walter s. Franklin sterling Dtmocr
TX was reelected by large majority.
N Yours SC.