Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1857-11-20

time, or place, to discuss the merits Of the
conflicting claimants for seats from New
Jersey, that subject belongs to tho House Of
Representatives, which, by the Constitution,
is made the ultimate arbitor Of the qualif-
cations Of its members. But what spec
tncle we hero present Wo degrade and
disgrace our ourselves; we degrade and
disgrace our constituents and tho country.
We do not, and cannot organize; and why 7
Because the Clerk of this House, the mere
Clerk, whom we create, whom we employ,
and whose existence depends upon our will,
usurps tho throne, and sets us, the represen-
tatives, the vcegerents of the whole Amer
lean people, at defiance, and holds us in
contempt! And what is this Clerk of
yoursY Is he to suspend, by his mere neg
ative, the functions OF Government, and
put an end to this Congress9 He refuses
to call the roll 1t is in your power to
compel him to call it, if he will not do it
voluntarily. Here he was interrupted by a
member, who said that he was authorized
to say that compulsion could not reach the
Clerk, who had avowed that he would 70
sfgu raJner than call the State of New
Jersey.1 "Well sir, let him resign," contin-
ued Mr.. Adams, "and we may possibly dis
cover some way which we can get along
without the aid of his all-powerful talent
learning, and genius.
If we cannot organize in any other way, i
this clerk of yours wil.not consent to oul
discharging tho trust confided to us by oul
constituents, then let us initiate the exam
pie of the Virginia House of Burgesses
which, when the colonial Governor Dinwid
die ordered it to disperse, refused to obey
the imperious and insulting mandate, and
like mon"
The multitude could not contain or repres
their enthusiasm any longer, but saluted tn,
eloquent and indignant speaker, and inter
cepted him with loud and deafening cheers
which seemed to shake the capitol to it
center. The very genii of applause and en-
thusiasm seemed to float in the atmospher
of the hall, and every heart expanded wit
an indescribable feeling of pride and exul
tation. The turmoil, the darkness the yer
"chaos of anarchy" which had for thre
successive days pervaded the American
Congress, was dispelled by the magic, til
talsmanic cloquence of single man an,
once more tho wheels of government an
.. legislation were put in motion,
Having by this powerful appeal brough
the yet unorganized assembly to pcrceT
ton of its hazardous position, he submitte
motion requiring the acting Clerk TO ca
the roll. Accordingly, Mr.. Adams was in
mediatcly interrupted by burst Of voice
demanding, "How shall hequcstion be put
Who will put the question:" The voice
Mr.. Adams was heard above the tumult:
intend to put the question myselfw Th
word brought order out Of chaos. The
T. was the master mind.
ss. AS soon as the multitude had rccoverc
itself and the excitement of irrepressiblc e.
thusiasm had abated, Mr.. Richard Barnwe
. Rhett. of South Carolina, Ieaped upon OF
the desks, waved his hand and exclaimed
81 move that the Hon. John @. Adam
.ss, take the chair of the Speaker of this Hous
t a and oficate as presiding officer till IL
the House be organized by the election of i
m constitutional officers. As many as a
the agreed to this, will say aye, those---
lis He had not an opportunity to compile
re the sentence, "those who are not agree
'rm will say no." for one univesal, deafcnin
On laundering AYE responded to the nomin
ers, ton. Hereupon it was moved and order
ress that Lewis Williams, of North Carolir
till and Richard Barnwell Rhett, conduct Jol
at Q. Adams to the chair.
act We'll did Mr.. Wise, of Virginia, say: rs
the / regard it as the proudest hour of yo
the life; and if when you shall be gathered
'ose your fathers, were l asked to select t
ass words which, in my judgment, are best c
ious culated to give at once the character of
ain, man, would inscribc upon your tomb t
and sentence: 81 will put the question mysel