The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-09-18
NORTH CAROLINA ISTELLIoEscE.

hohld GAkuLiNA iSTkLLiukSCE.
There arose personal debate during the
session, between Judge Dorsey, Of Maryland,
and Samuel P. Carson, Of North Carolina,
which became highly interesting to the House,
as 1t was carried on with the utmost GOOD
humor on both sides. It was evident, how
ever, that Judge Dorsey had decidedly the
advantage Of his North Carolina competitor.
The debate ultimately turned upon the CON-
parative intelligence of the constituents OF
these gentlemen. Mr.. Carson had charged
that the people Of the eastern shore OF Mary
land were ignorant of the country, owing to
their inability to read or write, and closed
with most ludicrous account Of the subser-
vieney OF the Marylandcrs 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 Less
Kerr, afterwards U. S. Senator, whispered
in my ear, "Dorsey say funny things"
give sketch of his speech from recollection:
''fhe gentleman says my constituents are ig
norant 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 important. The late war was
declared in 1912, and the British army in.
gloriously burned the capital in lsl4, to the
lasting disgrace Of that nation. The whole
scene was Immediately published in the Ma
tional lntelfgencer, and copied into every
paper Of the United States. The war was
over and peace restored by the treaty of
Client. just ten years after the burning of
the capital, my business took me into the
gentlemAn's district. was approaching the
principal town, when heard the sound Of
hfe and drum emerging from yellow pine
woods, near the town, where they we're ma
king tar and turpentine. | saw before me
the waving plume and tho marching, with
quick step, of regiment Of men, the stars
and stripes borne aioft, with tho motto
North Carolina now and forever in gilt
letters. rode directly up to the principal
hotel, kept by landlord that evidently lived
we'll, and knew how to entertain his guests
ii he was pleased with their standing. The
moment was seated on the porch he nd.
dressed me, Have you heard the newts'-
what news p why the British have burn
ed the capital and our army 10 moving for
ward, a. you see, to meet the enemy sWhen
did you get the news?' Eve got it last night
about O'Clock. That you may understand
how this happened, just before the last war
we held 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 vo-
ted to take the National Intelligencer, and
that every Saturday afternoon the paper
should be publicly read, beginning at the
first page and reading IL regularly through
advertisements and all; and since then our
reader has kept constantly 1t it every Satur-
day afternoon. Last night he read the burn
ing Of the capital BY the British. We at
once dew to arms. Tho old revolutionary
spirit is completely aroused Dinner was
announced and took my seat ct the end Of
the table, when ont sprang the landlord in a
moment and announced that the President oil
the U. 5. was approaching in = coach and
four, with out-riders, and sure enough ur
drove the coach with four splendid grays,
and out-riders 10 full livery. The distin.
guished parsonage stepped from the coach
and was bowed into the pnrlor by my land.
lord, hat in hand. Curiosity led me 10 place
one ear to the opening. The Landlord bowed
to the aoor-sThc President Of the United
States, presumc?' sNot exactly sThs
Secretary Of State r Not exactly.' sThs
Secretary Of War; Not exactly eth.
Secretrry Of the Navy Not exactly.' sThs
Governor Of North Carolina p Not exact
~ Joseph Gales, the editor Of the Nation.
| al IntelliguncerS Not exactly Then rails.
ing his voice and stamping his foot on tht
floor, who in thunder are you?' & am 4
merchant taylor from Washington City. and
have come here to collect some bills.' sYor
, can pAss o1, have III IoosA foI you.
The Judge closed amidst thunders OF ap.
son laughed heartily, and the matter cndet
In tba b.ef ~ vnrsnra1 fnol.uU