Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-06-23
LYNCHBURG MONDAY MORNING, JUNE %. 1851.

prevailed throughout the body. Could a.
ny prevailing spirit have opened to human
view the hopes, the fears, the boiling pas
sions, which tumultuated within those fierce
bosoms, how would the painful interest of
the scene have been yet further heightened
in intensity!
At length, the Speakers hammer fell
A dead silence instantly prevailed, and the
respective delegations assembled and took
their seats around the tables prepared for
them.
1t was my privilege, from am elevated
position on the right hand OF the chair, to
enjoy full view of all the groups; and
have preserved rude and hasty sketch
which I caught Of their positions while the
first ballot was proceeding. Each delega-
ton appointed one of their number to act
as Chairman, collect their votes, and report
the result. The delegations voted by plu-
ralities. Whoever, in each, received the
most votes, was reported as the choice of
that delegation. There were twenty-four
of these groups; and when the votes had
been gathered in each, they were called
upon to report, which they did in success
SION. rira roce, commencing at Maine. The
silence was ike that of sepulcher. Mems
breath was suspended as State after State
uttered its voice; and oh, can | ever forget
the moment when the Speaker, standing
up in his place, declared, III clear sono-
rous voice, that seemed to pierce through
bone and marrow, that John G. Adams,
having received majority of the votes
cast, was duly elected President of the u
nited States for four years from the 4th day
of March next ensuing"
Then arose such shout from the gale
ries as seemed to lift the very dome of the
Hall. Mr.. M'Dufic, (whosc candidate
had been defeated, whose eager hopes had
been blasted, and whose personal pledge
for the good order of the assembly was re-
membered by ally sprang up in much ex-
citement from the ground, and in voice
that rang above all the tumutuous plaudits
of the spectators, cried "Mr. Speaker? !
move the gallery be cleared" The ques-
ton was put, and carried. "Yes," said a
foreign minister to another who stood by
his side, "but how are you going to do it!'
A natural question enough for a European
ignorant Of the country and the people,
Here were no guards, no gems d'arms, not
even a constable; how was the ordcrto be
cnlorcedl
He soon saw, and while he gazcd, SEEM
cd penetrated with speeches. wonder.-
No sooner had the speaker given the order
The Sergeant at-Arms will clear the
galleries." than an active, slender young
man, Of graceful form and with brilliant
black eye, darted from his place, and noun
ting, Il did rot see howl to the broad stone
cornice which runs all around the hall in
front of, and below the breast work of the
galleries, motioncd with his arm to the
dark, dense, and almost suhocated mass Of
| human beings before him, excla;ming, gen
tlcmen, the speaker orders the galleries to
be cleared; you must rctire-clear the gal
leries." And at his word, like a flock CT
quiet, passive sheep, when the gate oftheir
pen is thrown open, out went the entire
crowd, without word OF complaint or re-
monstrancc, and I'M an incredibly short time,
not soul was left behind. The foreign
minister lifted up his hand in amazemcnt,
and exclaimed, "What a government
What people!"