Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-01-28
CORRESPONDENCE or THE sprorAroR.
SENATE CHAMBER,

Harrisburg, Pa, Jan. Ia, 1852.
.uessrs Editors.-A word Of explanation why your
correspondent finds himself in the Capitol of the
"Keysone." He left the "Monumenlal City,
this morning with through iicketfor Philadelphia
by the York, Columbia and Lancaster r. Road
lie was induced by several considerations 10
change his route, prominent among which, was a
desire to see the Capital of the State and the Leg
isalure In session, as also for the opportunity ot
witnessing the reception Of Kossuth and his suite,
which was to take place this day. An extra train
left Baltimore this morning half hour after we
did, containing the Magyar and his party, togelh-
er with the Committee of the Pa. Legislature and
citizens OF Harrisburg, that had been deputed TO
Baltimore TO wait on him and invite him to take
this on his way West. They passed us al York
and we came up with them at the bridge over the
Susqushannah, when both trains were detained
some time waiting for The Cumberland Valley
train 10 pass over before we could cross. Here |
had the first opportunity ofseeing the Gov. Hun
gary. A crowd collected around the Car, The came
out on the platform and remained some lime, hav-
ing entered into conversation with some one IN
the crowd. He enqured if those surrounding him
were not Germans, and was answered in the az
irmalive He made some remarks about Harris
burg, pointing over 10 The city, and mentioned the
self familiar with lis history, also Of much that
related 10 the history Of the Stale. Presently the
trains passed over, and argecrowd al the depot,
of citizens with the Military, received Kossuth
with deafenlng shouts He entered large sleigh,
drawn by four grey horses handsomely caparis0ned,
and passed in procession through the principe SIS
Great enthusiasm attended his progress every
where-the ladies from the doors and windows
waved their handkerchiefs and showered there
sweetest smiles upln him. the boys and groom
childen huzzaed, the drums beat, the 6fes screecb-
ed, the dogs barked, and across the streets flags
were suspended, as well as decorations of divers
kind that graced windows and doors of private and
public buildings.
He stopped at Hers Hotel and was called out
very soon on the balcony and made efspeech
to the crowd, thanking them for their hearty re-
cepton and retired. Dinner was soon announced,
when had the opportunity ufseeing all the party
but Kossuhone of his suite apologlsed for his dbl
sence, that he was busy writing. There were three
ladies' in the party besides Madame Kossuth, and
some twelve gentlemen. Madame X. is small
woman of melancholy expression of counenance,
very dark hair and eyes and very expressive and
intelligent face, although no, very handsome one.
All the ladies dressed in deep mourning and wore
their dark hair so closely combed down their faces
| in their black hoods. Alter the committee Of re-
cep,ior and most Of The gentleman had left the ia
BILE the ladies' and their husbands remained and en-
gagged in an animated conversation in their own
language.
About half past three, walked uphere 10 wit
ness the reception of Kossuh bv tho Legislature, In
accordance with placarded found
great crowd collected about the front porch and
the rotunda, and blocking up the door entering the
Legislative Hall. soon discovered that sume
thing was wrong, and The crowd or mob was out
of humoi made no effort whatever To get into The
Hail, having observed before came up, That its
use was to be reserved exclusively for the Legisla
lure and the Ladies. very soon discovered mis-
to be the cause Of offence 10 The masses, and ucca
sonally would hear one cry out "we are the SOW
ereign people" ''we elect you" &c Sc They
were whoopng and yelling like self OF demonac
savages, and vowing that they would have access
10 the Hall. A large number off ladies lad collect
ed early and taken their seats in the Hall and
considerable number of the members Of the House
were present-----tle House being in session.
Their deliberations were entirely broken off. Many
of the mob forced themselves In and took their
seats on the floor. The gavel Of the Speaker re-
sounded in vain in attempting 10 keep order---lhe
shouts of the mob drowned his voice. Col. Walk
er, Speaker of the Senate, attempted 10 address
them. II was casting pearl before swine.
Amusing scenes occurred at The Hall door;
some of the crowd would occasionally take up one
Of theft number and thrust him over the heads Of
others into the Hail. A rotund, rosy looking men,
Der of the Assembly, Gen. B, came up TO
the door by dint of hard squeezing and elbowlng,
and with the badge "Commiltee of Reception, Pin
flaming letters his shoulder and appealed TO the
crowd 10 let him n-pDnting TO his badge, and in
| forming all who were not cognizant OF The fact,
that he ,cas member Of the Legislature. For some
time they were deaf to his enreaties, but al length
from some whim, concluded he might be put in
| Presently his robust form was seen rising slowly
above the heads OF the crowd, and thrust for
ward towards the door. A moment he was held
| in suspense-ion-the mob hesitated, aud pull
him out'' was heard and back he came in spite of
| himself and few friends who assisted him IN his
vain struggle to effect an entrance. He found his
place again ON Terra firma considerably on This side
of the Door, minus boots, hat, and with his
coat stripped back, face red and Indignation swell
ling out every feature.
do not know when was more amused than
for the brief space stood in the aisle of This room
near the door, where could see and hear all that
was going on. A number of ladies and gentlemen
we're, besides myself, silent and amused spectators
Of the scene at this safe distance. Presently Kos
suth and his party were known TO be approaching
by the sound of the drum &c., but i, was not I'M
i the military were required 10 use their bayones
| in driving the crowd from the door, that an en-.
trance could be effected by him and Committee of
reception. Gov. Johnson met him near the Clerks
table and showed him TO seat and presently, made
his speech to him, which you have doubtless seen.
| Those who were within few feet of the speakers
could scarcely hear what either the Gov or Kos
suth had TO say, such was the noise kept up by tho
mob Kossuth spoke about fifteen minutes in
swer TO one of the pretest little speeches that has
| been made 10 him. The members of the Iiegisla-
ture who were absent from the House, al the time
Kossulh came in, finding it impossible to enter by
the door, retreaed and cambered in at one OF the
windows, from which number Of the ladies, a
larn,ed at the rotous conduct Of the mob, made
their escape, before the exception" took place.
How congratulated myself as Virginian, at
the fact that no such scene as this could ecer be
gotten up under any circ umstances, that | could
| Imagine, TO disgrace our State. Indeed, do not
think that South of Mason & Dixon line, we
need ever fear that our Southern people will have
to blush for any such outrage upon decency and or
der. Happening to be near knot of Senators who
were discussing The affair close by where am
writing ,one that inferred was from Philadelphia,
remarked che had never known more disgraceful
occurrence among their many mobs in the city OF
| PHILADELPHIA than this" 1t was exceedingly NOR
,ifying to the members of The Legislature and am
free to say did not serve to increase my respect tor
the Harrlsburgers.
| This Chamber is a very spacious and handsome
ly fitted up apartment, larger than the Hall of the
H. of Del. at Richmond land arranged with all the
appliances Of comfort and taste. The desks of
.-l1 l.,