The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-04-24
CONGRESS.

took place in the House Of Representatives yes
terday, the unyarnshed facts of which, as near as
we have been able to ascertain them, are as fol-
lows:
Mr.. White, of Kentucky, addressed the Com
mlttee of the Whole upon the subject of the
Tariff and took occasion in his speech to repel
certain gross, false, and malicious charges, re-
vamped up and reissued against Mr.. Clay by or
under the sanction of members of Congress. AT.
ter disposing of the charge of bargain and in
trigue, reuttered by his colleague, Mr.. Linn
Boyd, he noticed that lately put forth that Mr..
Clay had said on some occasion in the House of
Representatives that if they, the Shareholders,
were deprived of their black slaves, they must
use white ones. Mr.. White referred to the fact
that several members of Congress had lately
certified that Mr.. Clay was reported to have used
this language in the House OH the 10th of Febru
airy, 1919, as the report of the proceedings of
Congress in that paper of the 18th would show
and he said that it was untrue that Mr.. Clay ever
used such language, or that there was any such
report in the paper referred to.
Mr.. Kennedy, of Indiana, who is one of the
certifers of this calumny, said (Mr White being
still upon the foor) that he had certified to no.
thing but what he could prove, or that he could
prove it, or some such expression. Mr. Rathbun,
of New York, whose seat is Immediately in front
of Mr.. Whites, said, Never mind, it can be
proved all around the House y to which remark
Mr.. White said, SIT is le." Mr.. Rathbun i'm
medately rose, turned round, and struck at Mr..
White, who parted, and returned the blow
Great confusion Immediately ensued. Several
members interfered, and the parties were sepa-
rated.
While this was going on, person of the name
of VIM. M. Moore, constituent of Mr.. Garrett
Davis, who happened to be in the lobby near by,
attempted to rush in to separate the parties, but
was thrust back, and finally out of the door hard
by, by Mr. McCauslen, member. In this
scuffie Mr. Moore, after he had been thrust out
of the door, fired pistol at Mr. McC, which
missed him, but hit an officer of the House, one
of the police, in the thigh, and wounded him--the
ball being lodged in the thigh.
The ARRAY Immediately became the subject Of
action of the House. The Speaker having taken
the Chair, Mr.. Saunders, of N. c., offered reso-
luton for the appointment of Select Committee
TO investigate the whole affair. Mr.. White ad.
dressed the House in some appropriate remarks,
expressing his entire willingness to submit to any
investigation the House might think proper to in
stitute.
Mr.. Rathbun next spoke, and expressed his
sincere regret at what had TRANSFERRED. He said
there was no act of his life he so much lamented,
not only on account of the reproach it cast upon
the House and HIMSELF but on account of his con-
sttnents, who had reposed the high confidence
IN him to send him as their representative. He
lamented that he had not taken time for a mo-
ment's reflection, but had, on the instant, given
way to those quick impulses which Nature had
given him. Mr.. r. said, that with the excite
ment of the moment went all unkind feeling to-
wards Mr.. White, whom he could assure he
entertained no hostility or resentment.
MIR. White then said, that, after what had fallen
from the gentleman from New York, it would be
unchrlstian in him to retain any resentment to-
verbs him. He harbored none but looked upon
him with the same friendly feelings he had ever
entertained towards him.
As Mr.. White sat down. Mr.. Rathbun turned
and gave him his hand, and they shook hands as
friends This produced loud clappng in the
galleries, which were densely filed, and marks
of appreciation on the part of the House.
1t was then proposed, by Mr. Dromgooe, that
as the gentlemen had apologized to the House
and made friends, and this affair had been
caused by momentsry excitement and heat, that
the resolution which had been offered should be
withdrawn, and the subject no further prosecuted.
This was opposed, and desultory debate fol-
lowed, which continued for more than an hour,
during which various propositions and resolutions
were offered. The resolution first offered, to-
gether with some amendments, one directing the
Sergeant Arms of the House to hold in custody
Mr.. VIM. M. Moore, who had fired the pistol, till
the further order of the House, was adopted and