The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-12-01
A GOOD CONGRESSIONAL STORY

Hon. T. O. II. Smith of Indiana, is writ
ing series of very interesting reminiscent
ces of his Congressional life. which are pub
lished in the Indiana State Journal. Here
is one:
NORTH CAROLINA INTELLIGENCE.--
There arose personal debate during the
session, between Judge Dorsey of Mary
land, and Samuel P. Carson of North Car
DINA, which became highly interesting to
the House, as it was carried on with the ut
most good humor on both sides. 1t was
evident, however, that Judge Dorsey had
decidedly the advantage of his North Car
Dina competitor. The debate ultimately
turned upon the comparative intelligence
of the constituents of the gentlemen. Mr.
Carson had charged that the people of the
Eastern shore of Maryland were ignorant
Of the history of the country. owing to their
inability to read or write. and closed with a
most ludicrous account of the subserviency
of the Marylanders to the supposed great
men of the country. The good humor of
the House seemed to be on the side of North
Carolina, when Judge Dorsey rose to reply,
his face covered with fun: John Reeds
Kerr, afterwards United States Senator,
whispered in my ear: dorsey says funny
things" | give a sketch of his speech
from recollection: The gentleman says
my constituents are ignorant and illiterate;
| will not retort upon those who sent him
here, but relate few facts and leave the
House to judge between us. Dates are i'm
portant. The late war was declared in
1912, and the British army ingloriousIy
burned the capitol in 1914. to the lasting
disgrace of that nation. The whole scene
Immediately published in the National
lntelligencer, and copied in every paper i'll
the United States.
1.-The war was over and peace restored by
the treaty of Client. just ten years after
the burning of the Capitol, my business
took me into the gentleman's district. |
was approaching the principal town when
| heard the sound of ID fife and drum emerg-
ing from a yellow pine woods, near the
town, where they were making tar and tur-
pentine. [ saw before me the waving plume
and the marching, with quick step, of a reg
iment of men, the stars and stripes borne
aloft, with the motto, North Carolina ROW
and forever in gilt letters. l rode direct
ly up to the principal hotel, kept by land
lord that evidently lived well and knew how
to entertain his guests if he was pleased
with their standing. The moment | was
seated on the porch he addressed me: Have
you heard the news - What news o.
why the British have burned the Capitol,
and our army is moving forward, as you
see, to meet the enemy when did you
get the news - 1--WE got it last night
about I O'Clock. That you may under
stand how this happened, just before the
last war, we held a great meeting to give
information to the people. 1t was found
that there was but one man in the county
that could read. He was elected county
reader. We then voted to take the National
noon the paper should be publicly read, be-
ginning at the first page and reading it
regularly through, advertisements and all
and since then our reader has kept con-
stantly at it every Saturday afternoon"
Last night he read the burning of the
Capitol by the British. We at once flew
to arms. The old revolutionary spirit is
completely aroused" Dinner was an
nounced and | took my seat at the head of
the table, when out sprang my landlord and
in a moment announced that the President
of the United States was approaching in
coach and four with out-rders, and sure
enough up drove the coach with four SPLEEN
did grays. and out-riders in full livery. The
distinguished parsonage stepped from the
coach, and was bowed into the parlor by
my landlord, hat in hand. Curiosity led
me to place one ear to the opening. The
landlord bowed to the foor-"The Presi-
dent of the United States, presume ~
Not exactly The Secretary of State %
mo: exactly" The Secretary of War;
r -
WI" Not exactly" The Governor of
North Carolina! p Not exactly '.Jo-
seph Gales, the editor of the National In
telligencer?" Not exactly" Then rails
ing his voice and stamping his foot, "Who
in the thunder are you p Il am a mer-
chant tailor from Washington City, and
have come here to collect some bills.''-
You can pass on: have no room for you"
The Judge closed amidst thunders of ap
plause; his triumph was complete. Mr.
Carson laughed heartily, and the matter
on1cI in fbt host of faplinr