Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-11-25
MISCELL A N Y
A Good Congressional Story.

The Hon. i. y. II. Smith, of Indiana, Is WIFI
ing a series of very interesting "reminiscences OF
his Congressional life, which are published in the
Indiana State Journal. Here is one:
NORTH CAROLINA INTELLeENoE.-There arose
a personal debate during the session, between
Judge Dorsey, of Maryland, and Samuel T. Car
son, of North Carolina, which became highly
interesting to the House, as it was carried OH
with the utmost good humor on both sides. 1t
was evident, however, that Judge Dorsey had
decidedly the advantage OF his North Carolina
competitor. The debate ultimately turned upon
the comparative intelligence of the constituents
of these gentlemen. Mr.. Carson had charged
that the people of the eastern shore OF Maryland
were ignorant of the history of the country, ow-
ing to their inability to read or write, and clos
ed with most ludicrous account of the subser-
viency of the Maryanders to the supposed great
men of the country. The good humor of the
House seemed to be on the side of North Caro-.
covered with fun John Leeds Kerr, afterwards
United States Senator, whispered in my cart
Dorsey says funny things" give sketch of
his speech from recollection: "The gentleman
saws my constituents are ignorant and illterate {;
will not retort upon those who sent him here,
but relate few facts and leave the House to
late war was declared in 1912, and the British
army ingloriously burned the capitol in 1914, to
the lasting disgrace of that nation. The whole
scene was Immediately published in the Nation
al Intelligencer. and copied into every paper in
the United States.
"The war was over and peace restored by the
treaty of Ghent. Just ten years after the burn
ing Of the capitol, my business took me into the
yentlemen's district. | was approaching the
principal town when heard the sound of fife
and drum emerging from yellow pine woods,
near the town, where they were making tar and
turpentine. saw before me the waving plume
and the marching, with quick step, of regiment
of men, the stars and stripes borne alott, with
the motto North Carolina now and forever, in
gilt letters. rode directly up to the principal
hotel, kept by landlord 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 mes
Have you heard the newss' what newsf-
why the British have burned the capitol, and
our army is moving forward as you see, to meet
we got it last night about seven O'clock That
you may understand how this happened, just be
fore the last, 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. Wethen
voted to take the National 1ntelligencer, and
that every Saturday afternoon the paper should
be publicly read, beginning at the first page and
reading it regularly through, advertisements and
all and since then our reader has kept constant
ly at it every Saturday afternoon.
Last night he read the burning OF the Capt.
tol by the British. We at once flew to arms
The old revolutionary spirit is completely arous-
ed Dinner was announced and took my seat
at the head of the table, when out sprang my
landlord and in moment announced that the
President of the United States was approaching
in coach and four, with out.riders, and sure
enough up drove the coach with four splendid
grays, and out-riders in full livery. The distin-
guished parsonage stepped from the coach, and
was bowed into the parlor by my landlord, hat
in hand. Curiosity led me to place one eur to
the opening. The landlord bowed to the floor
The President of the United States, | pre-.
sume2' Not exactly The Secretary of State 2
Not exactly The Secretary of Warr Not
exactly THE Secretary OF the Nayyr Not
exactly The Governor of North Carolina p
Not exactly Joseph Gales, the editor OF the
National Intelligencer!' Not exactly Then
raising his voice and stamping his foot, who in
the thunder are yous' 4 ain merchant 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 thun-
ders of applause his triumph was complete
Mr.. Carson laughed heartily, and the matter
ended in the best of personal feeling.