Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-04-30
The Foote and Bentoa Scene.

Mrs. SWlSShCln, EIIllreSS OF the PlilS
burg Vsiler, and Senate Reportrix for The
New York Tribune, witnessed the scene
thatso disgraced the Senate the week be-
fore last. She avaiIs herself with unr-
tous freedom of lady's privilege to say
what she pleases, and So he>ilateS not la
denounce Gen. Foote's conduct as COW,
ardlv. Hear her:
Brute force then has usurpod the plar,
of moral courage, 3nd FoOlc showed thu,
to-day. His conduct WAS cpwardlv.
cannot understand how any onccou.I RI,
or retreat as fast As he did, from such a
attack; but he i evidently Il nervous man
one who would require time rot reflection
before he could act cody. He has nothing
ofthc look Northern people would suppose
from his character. lie is old; his head
= almost entirely bald, and no look of The
bully in his face or manners. He has u
restless appearance, wi1 rather mild
expression of coun,enaucc, and urbant
manners. 1t is his nervous eXcltabIhtN
that gels him into quarrclS; and Col
Benton did what WAS very unworthy OF
himself and his present position when he
medila,cd any personal chastlscment, n"
matter how provoking the other may have
been i'm his remarks. | do not believe
Col. Benton would have struck him if he
would have stood still AMI faced him a,
lie came up, whatever his intentions might
have been in coming toward him."
The following is her description of the
immediate circumstances which led to and
accompanied the lracas.
..Thcn Mr.. Foole took the floor all"
soon reached towering height OF gaSco-
nading cloqucnce. He laudcd the South,
crn Address, of which Mr.. Benton had
spoken as causing needless alarm, and DE-
cIarcd it the production of that honorable
Senator for whom every good man IN the
nation was now in mourning. HIS style
orspeaking struck as ludirroUsly grandIl-
oqucnl. and rather sarcastic in It's person
al references to Mr. Benton; but this gen
1Ieman did not appear AT all disturb ed. J
looked at him, and could see no indication
of excitement. Suddenly Mr.. Foote paus
ed in his night of eloquence and came
down 10 his naturally calm tone, VIII ch Is
really very pleasant lie was evidently
preparing for some grand demonstration.
He turned and wItha wave OF the hand
and inclination of the head to or toward
Col. Benton, gave evidence that he had
some personal remarks to- make, but de
clared ne was determined to be governed
hv strict parliamentary rules. | glanced
10 Col. Benton. lie looked calm, then
backed to the speaker, who, in an lrOnlcaI
manner, was pronOuncing the words the
oldest Senator on this floor this was allu
mo 10 Mr.. Benton, and as he commenced the
next sentence. he started, running up the
aisle toward the Presidents desk, and
looked back over his shoulder as he got a
pistol out ofhs side pocket. lie gained the
oprnino around the Presidents desk before
there was any general movement among
the Senators: and there he cooked, or tried
to cock, his pistol, pointing the muzzle
toward the ground. He appeared TO have
some trouble in drawing the lock, but J
think he got it set. CHANGING back saw
Col. Benton in the passage that runs a
round under the gallery and behind the
seats. He was near Mr.. Foote's seat, but
not inside the bar of the House. MIR.
Foote's seat is on the outside of the circle
and next to the baIustrade that divides the
bar from the passage, running round and
close to one of The little doors, and first
from the main entrance to the Presidents
right hand. Col. Benton's is similarly
situated but further round to the same
side"