Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-01-22
.DRIJNK AS USUAL"

FNAaN@a
aDRUNK AS USUAL"
In our boyish days, when this section Of Ohio
was in state Of iransi1ion-the primeysl forests
giving way to cultivated 6elds-lhe common an
swer to neighbours salutatOn, when you met him
at log-rolling or a acorn-husking, was "drunk as
usual" Those days, with their genuine hosPi.
tality and want Of ndectstion, have passed away,
and with them many Of the hardly race Of adyen-
turers who sought home in the wesI Though
their familiar expression is heard no more, we
often, in looking the proceedings Of legislative as
semblies, are reminded of its appropriateness.
Two or three weeks since public expectation
was on tiptOe TO hear the result Of an affair Of hon
or, said to bc on tho tapis, between two honorable
gentlemen at Washington. After some delay in
telligencs was received that the affair had been
satisfactorily adjusted, and in due time their mu
tual apology was received. While reading that
apology, the joyous days Of our boyhood rose to
our memory, and we could not help thinking that
the honorable gentlemen were, in western par
lance, "drunk as usual"
The following scene, though not the one really
enacted, comes as near descrbingt the whole trans
action as any thing within our reach at this time:
Mr.. Pickwick observed that Travelling was
in a troubled state, and the minds Of coachmen
were unsettled. Let them look abroad, aud con-
template the scenes which were enacting around
them. Stage coaches we're upsetIing in all direc-
tions horses we're boiling, boats were eoverturnng,
and boilers bursting. Avoice 'No.O mol Let
that honorable Pickwickian who cried No so
loudly, come forward and deny it, if he could.
Who was it that cried 'Nol' Was it some vain
and disappointed man-he would not say haber-
dasher-who, Jealous of the praise which had
been-perhaps ndeservedly-bestowed on his
! (Mr. Pickwicks) researches, and smarting under
the censure which had been heaped upon his own
feeble attempts at rivalry, now took this vile and
calumnious mode Of
"Mr. BlotIon rose 10 order. Did the honora'
bic Pickwickian allude to himl
"Mr. Pickwck would not put up TO beput dowr
by clamor. He had alluded to memorable gen
tleman.
"Mr. Blouon would only say then, that he re
PEELED the hon. gent. false and scurrous accuse
tion with profound contempt The hon. gent
was humbug.
"Mr. A. Snodgrass rose to order. He threw
himself upon the chair. He wished to know
|, whether thisdisgracelul contest betweentwo mem
bers of that club, should be allowed to continue.
"The Chairman was quite sure the hon. Pick
wickan would Withdraw the expression he hal
Just made use of.
"Mr. BIouon, with all possible respect for Ih'
Chair, was quite sure he would not.
"The Chairman felt it his imperative duty Il
demand of the honorable gentleman, whether h
, had used the expression which had just escape
him, in a common sense.
"Mr. Blotton had no hesitation in saying tha
he had not-he had used the word in its Pick
wickian sense. He was bound TO acknowledge
that, personally, he entertainedthe highest regar
and esteem for the honorable gentleman; he ha
merely considered him humbug in Pickwick
ian point of view.
, "Mr. Pickwick felt much grat6ed by the fail
e candid, and full explanation Of his honorabl
friend. He begged it to be at once understood
y that his own observations had been merely inter
: ded to bear Pickwickian construction"