The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-12-10

clous will, and his Investments, up to the last
are characterized by great good sense. The
probate duty on bis will exceeds El00, 0O0."
THE OLD MAN ELOQUENT.
On the opening of the Twenty sixth Con.
gress in Dec, 1889, in consequence of a two.fold
delegation from New Jersey, the House was
unable for some time to complete its organiza.
ton, and presented to the country and the
world the perilous and discreditable aspect OF
the people unable to form themselves into a
constitutional body. On first assembling, the
House has no officers, and the Clerk Of the pre-
ceding Congress acts, by usage, as Chairman
OF the body till Speaker is chosen. Ga this
occasion, on reaching the State of New JERSEY.
the acting Clerk declined to proceed in calling
the roll, and refused to entertain any of the
motions which were made for the purpose OF
extricating the House from its embarrassment.
Many of the most judicious members had ad.
dressed the House in vain, and there was moth
ing but confusion and disorder in prospect
The fourth day opened, and still confusion
and disorder were triumphant. But the hour
OF disenthralment was at hand, and scene
was presented which sent the mind back to the
days when Cromwell uttered the exclamation,
Sir Harry Vanel Woe unto you, Sir Harry
Vane! and in an instant dispersed the famous
Rump Parliament.
Mr.. Adams, from the opening of this scene
of confusion and anarchy, had maintained a
profound silence. He appeared to be engaged
most OF the time In writing. To common
observer, he seemed to be reckless of everything
around him but nothing, not the slightest in.
cident, escaped him. Tae fourth day of the
struggle had now commenced; Mr.. Hugh Ii.
Garland, the Clerk, was directed to call the roll
again.
He commenced with Maine, as was usual
these days, and was proceeding toward Massa-
chusetts. l turned, and saw that Mr.. Adams
was ready to get the floor at the earliest mo.
ment possible. His keen eye was riveted on
the Clerk; his hands clasped the front edge of
his desk, where he always placed them to assist
him in rising, He looked, in the language of
Ottway, like the
! - Fowler, eager for his prey"
"New Jerseyl" calculated Mr.. Hugh h.
Garland, "and the Clerk has to repeat that
Mr.. Adams sprang to the floor
" rise to interrupt the Clerk" was his first
ejaculation.
"Silence-silence " resounded through the
hall. Hear him-hear him Hear what he
has to say Hear John Quincy Adams /" were
the unanimous CALCULATIONS on all sides.
In an instant, the most profound silence
reigned throughout the hall-you might have
heard leaf of paper fall in any part of it,
and every eye was riveted on the venerable
Nestor of Massachusetts, the purest of states
men and the noblest of men He paused for q
moment; and, having given Mr.. Garland
"a whitening look"
he proceeded to address the multitude.
1t was not my intention, said he to take any
part in these extraordinary proceedings. | had
hnn hot
izing itself-that a Speaker and Clerk would
be elected-and that the ordinary business of
legislation would be progressed in. This is not
the timo or place to discuss the merits Of the
| conflicting claimants for seats from New jersey
that subject belongs to the House Of Represent.
atives, which, by the Constitution, is made the
ultimate arbiter of the qualifications of its mem.
bers. But, what spectacle we here present I
We degrade and Disgrace ourselves; we degrade
and disgrace our constituents and the country.
We do not and cannot organize; and why Z?
Because the Clerk of this House-the mere
Clerk whom we create, whom we employ, and
whose existence depends upon our will-usurps
the throne, and sets us 1.-THE representatives, the
vicegerents of the whole American peoplel at
defiance, and holds US in contempt! And what
is this Clerk of yours? Is he to suspend by
his mere negative, the functions of government,
and put an end to this Copgrees2 He refuses
to call the roll 1t is in your power to compel
him to call it, if he will not do il VOLUNTARILY"
| Here he was interrupted By member, who
said that he was authorized to say that com
pulsion could not reach the Clerk, who vowed
he would resign rather than call the State of
New Jersey.
swell, sir, let him resign, CONTINUED Mr. Ad
ans, and we may possibly discover some way
by which we may get along without the aid Of
his all powerful talent, learning, and genius. If
we cannot organize in any other way--if this
Clerk of yours will not consent to our dischar
cling the trusts con6ded to US by our constitu-
ents-then let US initiate the example Of the
Virginia House of Burgesses, which, when the
Colonial Governor (Dinwiddie) ordered il to
dispense, refused to obey the imperious and
insulting mandate, and like men" -
The multitude could not contain or repress
their enthusiasm any longer, bat saluted TIE
eloquent and indignant speaker, and interrupt
ed him with loud and desfening cheers, which
seemed to shake the Capitol to its centre. Che
very genii of applause and enthusiasm seemed
to float in the atmosphere of the Hall. and every
heart expanded with an indescribsble feeling
of pride and exultation. The turmoil, the dark
ness, the very chaos OF anarchy, which had for
three days pervaded the American Congress,
were dispelled by the magic, the talismanc
|
wheels of Government were set in motion.
Having by this powerful appeal brought the
yet unorganized assembly to perception of its
hazardous position, he submitted motion re-
curing the acting Clerk to proceed to call the
roll.
This and similar motions had already been
made by other members. The difficulty was
that the Clerk declined to entertain them. Ac-
cordingly, Mr.. Adams was Immediately inter
ruPted by burst Of voices. demanding, How
shall the question be putt" "Who will pu.
the question:" The voice of Mr. Adams was
heard above the tumult, 81 intend to put the
question myself" That word brought order
out of chaos. There was the master mind
As soon as the multitude had recovered itself,
and the excitement of irrepressibIe enthusiasm
had abated, Mr.. Richard Bsrnwell Rhett, of
South Carolina, leaped upon one of the desks,
waved his hand, and exclaimed
al move that the Hon. John Quincy Adams
take the chair of the Speaker of this House, and
oficiate as presiding officer, till the House be
organized by the election of it's constitutional
officers. As many as are agreed to this will
say aye"--
He had not an opportunity to finish the sen.
tence-" those opposed will say no for one
universal, deafening, laundering aye responded
to the nomination.
Hereupon it was moved and ordered that
Lewis Williams, of North Caroline, and Richard
Barnwell Rhett, conduct John Quincy Adams
to the chair.
Well did Mr.. Wise, of Virginia, say " Sir,
regard it as the proudest hour of your life; aud
il, when you shall be gathered to your fathers,
/ were asked to select the words which in my
opinion are best calculated to give at once the
character of the man, l would inscribe on your
tomb this sentence: Il intend to put the ques-
ton mvself'