Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-12-25
THE OLD MAN ELOQUENT.

complete its organization, and presented
to the country and the world the peril
Gus and discreditable aspect of the peo-
pie unable TO form themselves into con-
stitutiona body. On first assembling,
the House has no officers, and the clerk
of the preceding Congress acts, by us
sage, as chairman Of the body till I
speaker is chosen On this occasion, on .
reaching the State of New Jersey, the
acting clerk declined to proceed in call |
ing 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 addressed the
House in vain, and there was nothing
but confusion and disorder in prospect.
The fourth day opened, and still con-
fusion and disorder were triumphant
But the hour of disenthralment was at
, hand, and a scene was presented which
sent the mind back to the days when
Cromwell uttered the exclamation" Sir
Harry Vane Woe unto you, Sir Harry
Eane" and in an instant dispersed the
famous rump parliament.
Mr.. Adams, from the opening of this
scene of confusion and anarchy, had
maintained profound silence. lie APP
peared to DO engaged most Of the time
in writing. To a common observer, he
seemed to be reckless of everything
around him but nothing, not the slight
est incident, escaped him. The fourth
day of the struggle had now commenced;
Mr.. Hugh II. Garland, the clerk, was
directed to call the roll again.
lie commenced with Maine, as was
usual those days, and was proceeding to-
ward Massachusetts. ] turned and saw
70 that Mr.. Adams was ready to get the
floor at the earliest moment 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. lie looked, in the
language of Otway, like the
Fowler, eager for his prey"
l. New Je1seyr calculated Mr. Hugh
Il. Garland, and the clerk has to re-
peat that
Mr.. Adams sprang to the floor !
l rise to interrupt the clerk was his
! first ejaculation.
Silence-silence! resounded through
the hail. Hear hm-hear him Hear
what he has to say Hear John GUM
cy Adamsn were the unanimous ejac-
'h culations on all sides.
&c In an instant the most profound ST.
ne lence reigned throughout the hall-you
IT. might have heard leaf of paper fall ii
IN any part of it-and every eye was rivet.
'Il ed on the venerable Nestor of Massa-
nf chusetts-the purest of statesmen mc
the nobest of men He paused for q
moment and, having given Mr.. Gar
land
ITS "a whitening oolr
to he proceeded to address the multitude.
rk 1t was not my intention, said he, tc
ur take any part in these extraordinary pro
IL ceedings. | had hoped that this House
would succeed in organizing itself tina
H. speaker and clerk would be elected
IN and that the ordinary business of legis
in lation would be progressed in. This i;
not the time or place to discuss the merit,
of the conflicting claimants for seat
ret from New Jersey that subject belong
an to the House Of Representatives, which
by the constitution, is made the ultmat,
A aEbiter Of the qualification Of its mem
we bers. But what a spectacle we herr
present! We degrade and disgrace on
constituents and the country. We d.
oy not and cannot organize, and why? BE
.Iariy Of Eli,
DOT clerk, whom we create, whom we employ
and whose existence depends upon GU
will, usurps the throne, and sets us, tn
-. representatives, the vice-regeuts of til
'''' whole American people, at defiance, an
holds US in contempt, And what is tht
clerk Of yours Is he to suspend, b
OF his mere negative, the functions Of GOV
lng eminent, and put an end TO this Cor
END gress He refuses to call the roll
1t is in your power to compel him to call i
if he will not do it Voluntarily
ou' Here he was interrupted by a men
Der who said he was authorized to sa
that compulsion could not reach til
U! clerk, who vowed he would resign rattle
than call the State of New Jersey
axe Well, sir, let him resign continue
oze' Mr.. Adams, and we may possibly di
'ien cover some way by which we may @
TIL along without the aid of his all-powe
o"S full talent, learning and genius. If VI
cannot organize in any other way
this clerk Of yours will not consent to OF
= dischargipg the trusts confded to US /
Co., our constituents-then let us initiate ii
ana example of the Virginia House of Blu
IDS. gesses, which, when the colonial go
rom ernor Ddwiddie ordered ii TO dispers
'0I' refused to obey the imperious and insul
ing mandate, and like men
UGH The multitude could not contain or r.
It OF press their enthusiasm any longer, b.
with saluted the eloquent and indignant speaI
ettle err, and interrupted him with loud al
g 1t deatening cheers, which seemed to shah
the capitol to its center. The very ger
OF applause and enthusiasm seemed
d 10 float in the atmosphre of the hall, al
lhlc, every heart expanded with an indescri
lg'E able feeling of pride and exutation.-
sui The turmoil, the darkness, the very cha
of anarchy, which had for three da,
pervaded the American Congress, w
con- dispeiled by the marie. fhp toIismon