M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1858-02-18
Free Fight in the House and the
Full Particulars Thereof.
WASHINGTON. February

.
Full Particulars Thereof
WASHINGTON, February 6.
! The tone of debate in the House for
tie last two or three days, and the
bitter feelings on the part Of the ultra
men of both sides, have caused many
predictions that physical demonstra-
tion would sooner or later tako place.
Last night, orrather this morning, the
disgraceful scene occurred. From
dark all through the evening hours
the House was noisy and excited
Motion after motion poured in; calls
Of the House were overruled, and the
clerks wearied with calling the yeas
and nays. Many of the older mem.
berS and those in poor health paired
of, and at one o'clock there we're fifty
/ five absentees. Most Of the Ameri.
cans went away, declaring that they
( had no interest in the matter and did
not care which side triulnphed. The
majority against adjournment varied
from six to twenty votes during the
contest, and the Douglas men declared
their determination never to yield
Thus stood the case at half past two
o'clock, when General Quitman offer
ed a resolution Of compromise, that
the House should adjourn until twelve
o'clock on Monday, and that at one
o'clock o direct vote should be taken
on Mr.. Harris resolution. The gal.
leries were now nearly deserted, with
tile exception Of the reporters depart
ment, where every reporter and cor.
respondent was at his deek, watching
the tide Of affairs and specializing up
on the result. Mr.. Keitt had all the
evening been observed to be in an un.
usually restless frame Of mind frac-
tiops, noisy, and apparently "full Of
tight" 1t was the general belief that
he had charged himself for the occa,
sion with something stronger than
water; and from his defiant style il
was plain that he felt like the pugna.
cious Irish gentleman at Donnybrook
Fair, when he remarked to the crowd,
SIS there any gintleman priSent who
will tread on the tail ofme coatl" Mr.
Grow, Of Penn, just at the instant
that Mr.. Quitman offered his resolu
ton, was standing in the broad aisle
on the Democratic side of the House
Just beyond the seat of Mr.. Cox, o
Ohio; and, the moment Gen. Quitmal
had concluded reading his resolution
called out, 81 object!" Keitt, who wa
seated a few PAGES beyond Mr.. Grow
shouted, amid the confusion, in
somewhat insolent tone, "What do yot
object forl Go to your own side o
the House and object" l do not un
dertake to give the exact words usec
by the parties; but as near as coulc
be understood, Mr.. Grow replied, il
defiant manner, This is free hall
shall object when and where
pleased" Keitt started toward Groy
and demanded what he said. Grow
repeated his language, and added tha
he would not Ge dictated by a slave
driver. Keitt sprang forward anC
made vigorous grab at Crows col
lar, which was partially warded of
Hurried exclamations from both par
ties followed, with scuffling, and tn
words, "d-d AboLitiOnist" an,
i"aigger-driyer" were heard, whel
Keitt again grasped at Grows throat
As he did SO, Grow let fly his righ
arm, and struck him a tremendou
blow just beneath the right eye. Keit
staggered back and dropped on hi
knees, (some say one knee,) and in
second all was confusion dire, precise
lly like q drunken brawl or frce-stree
fight. Davis, Barksdale and Lamar
ofMississippi; Potter and Washburn
of Wisconsin, and Lovejoy, of Illinois
plunged furiously at each other, be
tween the two principal assailants
who were thrust apart, and the mas
oftwenty or thirty excited men swaye
into the arena in front ofthe Speaker
desk, shouting, swearing, striking an
crowding like pack Of fierce dogs
Blows were given, parried and re
eeived, with the rapidity of lightning
The most conspicuous parties wer
, those mentioned above. Potter "slasll
ed in," right and left, hitting hare
with the sleight and strength of a
old bruiser. As there may be an ex
animation, and evidence required,
is not best to state Who struck whc
Barksda!c received two blows. Tn