Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-09-28
AN INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF JOHN
QUINCY ADAMS.

r.
QUINCY ADAMS.
On the opening of the 26th Congress, in
December, 1889, in consequence of twOfOld
delegation from New Jersey, the House was
unable, for sJme time, to complete its organ
iEatiOn, and presented TO the country and the
world the periOus and discreditablc aspect of
the assembled Representatives of the people
unable to form themselves into constitution
al body. On first assembling, the House had
no officers. and the Clerk Of the preceding
Congress acts, by usage. as chairman of the
body, till Speaker is chosen. On this occa-
sion, after 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 able and most judicious mem-
bers had addressed the House in vain, and
there was nothing but confusion and disorder
in prospect.
The fourth day opened, and still confusion
was triumphant Mr.. Adams, from the b, =
ginning of this scene of confusion and anarchy
had maintained a profound silence. lie ap-
peared to be engaged most of the time writ
ing. To common observer, he seemed to be
reckless Of everything around him , but moth
ing, not the slightest incident, escaped him.
The fourth day of the struggle had now COM
menced Mr.. Hugh III. Garland, the Clerk,
was directed to call the roll again.
He commenced with Maine, as was usual
in those days, and was preceding towards
New Jsrsey. turned and saw that Mr.. Ad-
ans was ready To get the floor at the earliest
period possible, as soon as that State was
called. His keen eye was riveted on the
Clerk his hands clssped the front edge of his
desk, where he always placed thom to assist
him in rising.
Mnv Jorsoy, ejsculated Mr.. Hugh Ii.
Garland, and the Clerk has to repeat that
Mr.. Adams sprans to the floor
rise to interrupt the Clerk, was mis- first
ejaculation.
Silence, silence, resOunded through the hall :;
hear him-hear him Hear what he has to
say hear John Quincy Adams! was the unan-
lmous ejaculation on all sides.
In an instant the most profound silence
reIgned throughout the hall, and every eye
was riveted on the venerable member from
Massachusetts,. He paused for moment and
having giving Mr.. Garland withering look, be
proceeded to address the House:
q 1t was not my intention, said he, % to take
any part in these extraordinary proceedings
L had hoped that this House would succeed in
organizing itself, that Speaker and Clerk
would be elected, aud that the ordinary bus-
ness OF legislation would be progressed IN.
This Is not the time place to discuss the
merits OF the conflicting claimants for seats
from New Jersey that subject belongs to the
House of Representatives, which by the Con-
sututOn, is made the ultimate arbiter Of the
qualification Of its members. But what
spectacle We here present? We degrade and
disgrace ourselves; We degrade and disgrace
our constituents and the country. We do
not and cannot organize. and why? Because
the Clerk Of this House, the mere Clerk whom
We create, whom we employ, and whose ex-
lstanee depends upon our will, usurps the
throne, and sets Us, the Representatives the
yicegorents of the whole American people, at
defiance, and holds Us in contempt. And
what Il this Clerk Of yours? Is he to sus-
pend, by his mere negative, the functions of
Government, and put an end to this Congress
He refuses to call the roll 1t is in your
power ~ COMPEL him to call it. if he will not
do 1t voluntarily. (lIere he was interrupted
by member, who said that he was author
lied to say that compassion could not reach the
Clerk, who aVOwed that he would resign rather
than call the State OF New Jersey.) Well, sir
then let him resign, continued Mr.. Adams, and
we may possibly discover some way by which
We can get along without the aid of his all
powerful talent learning and genius. If we
cannot organize IN any other way-lf this Clerk
Oi yours will not consent u our discharying the
trusts cOnhded to Us by our constituents, thon
let US initiate the example Of the Virginia
House OF BurgesSes, which when the colonial
Governor Dinwiddie ordered it to disperse, re-
fused 10 obey the insulting mandate, and like
the men -
The multitude could not retain or repress
eloquent and indignant speaker, and intercept
ell hiLi with loud and deafening cheers, which
seemed to shake the Capitol to It's centre. The
turmoil, the darkness, the very chaos of anarchy
which had, for three successive days pcrvaded
the American Congress, was dispelled by the
magic ana tAlismsnic elOquence of a single man !;
and, once more the wheeis Of Government and
OF Legislation were put in motion.
Having, by this powerful appeal, brought the
yet unorganiEed assembly to perception of
Its hazardous position, he submitted d motion
requiring the Clerk TO proceed to call the roll
This AID similar motions had already been made
by other member. The difficulty was, the
acting Clerk declined to entertain them, Accor-
dIngly, Mr.. Adame was Immediately Interrupt
ted Dy burst Of voices demanding how shall
the question be put! Who will put the ques-
ton The voice of Mr.. Adams was heard above
the tumult. Il intend TO put the question
myself That word brought order out vi chaos
There was the master mind.
As soon as the multitude had recovered it.
self, and the excitement Of irTepressble en-
thuSiasm had abated, Mr. Robert Barnwel
Rhett Of South Carolina, leaped upon ono
ot the desks, waved his hand, and exclaim-
ed
- move that the Honorable John U. Adams
take the Chair Of the Speaker Of this House
and officiate as presiding officer tIlI the House
be organized by the election Of its cOnstitu-
tional officers. As many as agreed to this
will say, Ay; those--''
he had not IN opportunity to complete the
sentence" those who arc not agreed, will
say No for one universal, deafening Ay re
sponded to the nomination.
Hereupon, II was moved and ordered that
Lewis Williams Of North Carolina and Rob
ert Barnwell Rhett conduct John Quincy Ad-
ans u the chair
Well did Mr.. Wise, Of Virginia, say, " Sir
regard 1t as the proudes, hour Of my life and
II when you shall be gathered to your farthsrs,
were asked to select words which in my
Judgment are best calculated TO give ut oncs
the character Of the man, would inscribe up-
ON lbs tomb this sentence, i will put the ques-
ti1n myself. "-RsminisceHces Gy an oh
Colony Man.
A CALIFORSIA WIDOw.-Captain Saltwater
rays his 6rst essay to affect matrimonial char
aeter resulted in q manner So discourayiDv that