Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-06-23
MISCECLANEOU US.
From dytLHr's Home Ga-etie.
RecOllcctiOns and dAnccdOtcS.

tial chair shook the Union; it kindled strife
and gave birth to parties which are not vet
extinct among US; with these ii is hot my
province nor purpose to meddle; but il
was my lot to witness the issue ofthe con-
test, when it came to its head and was de-
cided. blow for blow, on the high places
of the field. The Hall of the House OF
Representatives, exhibited on that eventful
day, such spectacle as never had been
witnessed in this country, such as the world
never saw There being three candidates
for the Presidency, aud neither of them
having received the constitutional majority
giving him title to the Office, that crisis
had arrived which, in all other countries
has been decided by the sword; but which
having been contemplated as possible by
that band of inspired men, INSPIRED they
surely were, with wisdom not ,heirown,I
who framed our happy Government, had
been provided for by the peaceful expedi
cnt Of taking the choice out Of the immedi
ate hands Of the people, and committing i,
as one amalgamated body, but in their
separate capacity, as the delegations of the
respective States; each united delegation
casting one vote.
As the day appointed for the election ap-
preached the excitement of the public mind
became intense. Washington was crowd
ed. Nightly caucuses, and the most anx.
ious calculations, occupied the leading men
of each Of the three parties. SO evenly
were they balanced, that after the most
exact scrutiny had been gone through with
after the probable vote Of each individual
man had been set down with as much eau
ton and care as if the whole result depen-
ded on his individual suffrage, it was CON
cludcd that the result would very possibly
turn on a single vote; and when the morn
ing of decision had actually come, it was
generally understood that that vote was in
the hands ofa wealthy, upright and amia-
bic but not very firm or vigorous member
of the New York delegation. He had given
his vote for Adams; but the eager, agita-
ting, ,anxIousquestionw was whctherhc would
remain firm to that pledgel
The Hall was prepared for the process
ofthe election by placing seats for the re-
spec,ive State delegations, each having a
separate table, in the semi-circular open
space in front of the Clerks table. Before
the hour for taking their seats there, they
were 10 be seen walking about in little
bands, or seated in groups, earnestly con-
vcrsing in a low tone, every mind being
occupied in the result of the election Each
party was sanguine of success. Bets We're
staked to large amount. The most con-
tidcnt predictions were uttered, and by
some of the excited and unscruplous parti-
zans without, most fcrocious threats were
uttered. A second Missouri contest was
expected. None counted on less than for
ty or fifty ballottings; some said the cleo
ton would occupy weeks, perhaps months;
while others went so far as 10 say that no
choice would be made; but that Congress
would break up in a row. To a patriotic
mind it seemed as if all the evil powers
who sought the ruin of free Government
had gathered together at Washington, and
were hurling through the troubled air
Many persons carried concealed weapons,
as expecting some violent outbreak. The
bar-ooms of hotels and eating houses were
crowded with guests, whose aspect boded
no good to the country, or peaceful pro-
gress of its government. Many heart
that loved American regulated freedom
trembled in view Of the untricd experiment
now for the last time to be attempted. A
midst such auguries the day of election
came. Every avenue leading to the CAPT
tol was filled with people, all whose faces
looked in one direction, aud were filled
with one common expression ofgrave and
interested curiosity. Ihto the galleries
which surround and overlook the Hall of
Representatives not an individual human
being could by possibility be forced. and
the staircases, quite out of sight and hear
ing of what was passing within, We're
crammcd with watching multiludes, hoping
against hope, to gain, by some good chance
or by dint of patience and of physical
strength, glimpse at least of the exciting
scene.
1t had been proposed, in debate, on the
day previous, that, during the election, the
galleries of the hall should be closed, as
they could. at best, accommodate but
handful of those who were anxious to wit
ness the scene; but Mr.. M'Dufiie then
prominent member of the Housc) warmly
denied the right Of Congress tie exclude
the people from witnessing, ifthey SO pleas
ed the acts of their own representatives in
a matter especially so vitally affecting them
all. And when it was suggested that the
admission of so great and so excited
crowd, would inevitably be productive of
disorder, he sprang up, and, IN tones which
echoed through the hall and galleries,
pledged himself for the orderly dcport-
ment of the People, while looking on such
a scene His appeal was too popular to
be successfully resisted, and the doors were
thrown open accordingly.
1t was an imposing spectacle. The cir
cular lobby outside the bar, tand into which
none arc admitted but privileged persons,
whose right is specified. as well as to logia,
or open area, behind the columns in the
rear Of the Speakers seat, were filed with
members Of the Senate, cx-Governors Of
the States, military and naval officers.
(those only, however. who had received
votes of thanks by Congress for meritori-
Gus service,) foreign ministers and their at
tachees, Judges of the Supreme Court
In word, with all whose envied distinc-
ton it was to pass the vigilans scrutiny Of
the door-kecpers, now doubly vigilant, and
all upon the qxi rite A restless move
ment of the members within the bar, and
general p1urmur like the alarmed hum Of
bees when their hive is disturbed, gave to-