Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-03-24
Dignity at Washington.

Two Of the Honorable members Of tie
House Of Representatives recently had a reg
ular row in the presence Of the assembled
wisdom of the country. Haralson Of Geor-
Cia, and Jones of Tennessee, were the COM
batants. They struck each other, clenchod
each other, and apologized to each other,
just as chivalrous gentlemen have done time
and again. After the battle was over, a mo-
ton was made TO inquire into the affair, and
report what action was Unnecessary for the
vindication of the dignity of the House o.
The idea that the United States House Of
Representatives possesses dignity, we GER
tainly supposed was obsolete, as it assuredly
should be. Some Of the mem6ers however,
thought the House had, or ought to have, or
at least should behave as though it had no
inconsiderable supply of the article; and the
presentation OF the resolution called up a rich
scene. We can only quote a few passages
from the speeches Of the members.
Mr.. Hunt said,
at was true the occurrence had been very
properly apologized for yet the House ow-
ed it to its own dignity and self-respect that
measures be taken to prevent the recurrence
of like scenes in future. Ii there was any
thing in which the people of the country took
a just pride it was in the orderly department
of their Representatives in that House and
when outrages Of this kind were perpetrated
in what was especially their own hall, the
people felt themselves wounded"
Now we are puzzled to know how the A.
merican people can take pride in what does
not exist-,he orderly department of their
Representatives in Congress. We fancy
Mr.. II. over estimates the importance of
himself and fellow members; he seems to
think that not only all the eyes OF. the nation
are turned to them, but"y there is any thing"
rather problematical-of which the people
are proud, it is the department of their Rep
resentatives.
Mr.. Stephens said,
''The two gentlemen here were personal
friends. or the gentleman from Georgia
(Mr. UARALsoN) every one would testify
that there was not a more pacific or a more
uniformly decorous and orderly member on
the floor. And the same might with truth
lie said Of the gentleman from Tennessee
He neither knew nor had he ever seen any
thing to the contrary in that gentleman"
What dear, gentle lambs are Messrs. lIar-
Alison and Jones here described to be. One
would hardly suppose it possible for them TO
cuff and claw each other as they did. But
if these two members-than whom none are
more pacific, and decorous, and orderly, says
Mr.. Hare the best specimens Of peace To-
wing Honorables, what becomes Of the 'or-
Derby department" upon which the people SO
much pride themselves
Mr.. Wick was opposed to the House ia
king any action in the case, he didn't seem
10 think the members were all so lamb-like
as SOM supposed, and in palliation of the
conduct of the brawlers said,
s.They had acted momentarily under an
inhrmity common 10 all men born in the
South and in the West. They would do
these things now and then and man could
enact no laws that would prevent them. And
they did not think hard OF such little occur
rences. They meant no harm by it. They
often got into a little scratch but it was for
gotten in a moment. Why, the very best
friend he had in the world had once had a
fqht-a fight with chairs-in a Justices Of
flee, where he was a pettifogger ; and no
men loved each other better now he was a
rood gentleman and a good friend. Mr.. w.
saw nothing but evil likely to grow out OF the
resolution the county would laugh it to
scorn-at least all that country west of the
mountains. And as 10 preserving by this
means The dignity Of the House, the folks
out there did not believe that the House had
any very great dignity. They did not res
pect judges any more for wearing black silk
gowns, nor officers for wearing cooked hats.
When a little squabble took place, the chief
matter was to get it done up suugly, without
any further difficulty and If this was done,
be- did 70, thlnk the dignity Of the Hc-sr