Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1855-02-14
The Late Scene IN Congress.

!
The late scandaous scene in Congress; curs-
ing, giving the lie. and regular ight in that
body, has prepared Us hereafter, to submit with
meekness to anything that foreigners may say
of the uneivilized and savage character of our
Americans. We have heretofore felt deep in
dignation when such scenes occurred, even
though the actors in them were publicly repri-
manded for their conduct Bu. this last out
rage has added the last drop to the cup Of bit.
terness. Indignation has given place to the
most profound humiliation and modification.
In what deliberative body in the world, except
in France during her revolutionS-y frenzy,
could such a scene occur, as that which, in the
American Congress, has lately disguised and
nauseated wronged and outraged .natiOus-
No American can eontrst tbs tea~FJ spec
tacle with The deeorum aad aigaity os toe Brit
ish Parliament, without grief and pain. Not
long ago, one of the speakers in the House of
Lords referred to statement of his opponent
as "a Misrepresentation" Even this was
harsh and unusual in that assemblage. "Ths
noble lord" said one of the speakers, who fol.
lowed him, 'has characterized statement
made here as misrepresentation. Aisappre
hension is the word in use among gentlemen"
Place by the side Of this the recent outrage in
Congress: "You are liar" "you are a id
liar and the actual blows, regular pugilistic
encounter, and other members hurrying up,
some ofthem anxious TO take pat in the row,
and none of them, so far as any public action
has been taken on the subject, seeming to think
that the reputation and dignity of their country,
lay trampled in the dust.
We confess that, after this, when the story of
our shame shall be trumpeted through Europe,
when even the Russians look upon US as less
civilized people than themselves, we shall feel
as if there we're some warrant for the disparag-
ing idea, and that we have no right to be often
ded with those who bring the charge. Still it
is unjust and unfounded. These men are not
the representatives of American intelligence and
decorum. Tue same House of Representatives,
when Clay and STEVENSON were speakers, was
a dignified and respectable body. Our people
have certainly not retrogaded in civilization.-
In the private intercourse of gentlemen, at
least in the Southern States, there is as much
courtesy and urbanity as in the most refined
circles in the old World We are not savages;
the North American Indians are not yet in pos
session of the continent, even though barbara
ans have possession of the capital.
What is to be the remedy? We know not
Obviously, the two offenders ought as matter
of course, to be at once expelled from Congress.
A mere apology for such an outrage, -Aill no.
atone t2r JIIsrS ms vi o. their Immediate expulsion
will heal the injury inflicted upon the reputa-
ton Of the country. But this will not be done,
and, no penalty being attached to such trans
gresiionS, we may expect recurrence of ike
scenes at any time. We shall not be surprised
her after at anythiu (Which members ofCOngress
may do II they choose to get up general
melee every dnv in the week. or to commit any
other atrocity unhearl of before in a represen-
ative body, they may do it with the assurance
.hev will astonish nobody. Nevertheless, they
nave doLe more, but such scenes as that be-
tween LANE and FARLEY, 20 bring republican
governments in general contempt, and make
he name of America an object of derision and
,corn throughout the world, than all the hired
oreien traducers of American character and
institutions coull ever have eff c ed Dispatch