The Kanzas news., 1858-03-06
Detailed Account of the Fight in
CONGRESS.

o'clock this morning. Mr. Grow, the rec
ognized Republican leader in the House,
went over to the Democratic side of the
Hall to talk with Mr.. Hickman of Pennsyl-
vania. As he turned to leave, Mr.. Quit
man rose and asked to make an explanation
Mr.. Grow objected to any speeches which
were out of order, and then started down
the aisle with view of returning to his
own seat, when Mr.. Keitt, of South Caro-
lima, called out to him, asking: ''Why don't
you go over to your own side, God damn
you, if you want to object? What business
have you over on this side, anyhow? go or
something to that effect
Mr.. Grow replied quietly and coolly, say
ing: "This is free hall, and have the
right to object from any part of it when
choose" Then, in response to an appeal
from Mr.. Harris, of Indiana. Mr.. Grow
withdrew his objection, in order to permit
Gen. Quitman to go on. By this time,
Keitt, who seems to have supposed that he
had only to look ferociously at Northern
man to wilt him-and who presumed, per-
haps, upon the fact that he is more ath-
letic man than the gentleman from Penn
sylvania-had crossed over to meet Mr..
Grow. AS the latter was about to pass,
Keitt inquired in ruffanly tone: ''What
did you mean by that answer which you
gave me just now
81 meant precisely what I said-that
this is a free hall, and I will object from
whatever part of it see ft,'' was Mr.
Crows reply, as he looked his assailant
calmly in the face. The chivalrous and
gentlemanly South Carolinian returned to
the charge, saying: 'tI'll show you, you
damned Black Republican puppy! !" Mr.
Grow, still unexcited, answered: sYou
may think me what you please, Mr.. Keitt
but let me tell you that no nigger driver
shall come up from his plantation to crack
his lash about my ears % "We'lI see
about that" said Keitt, as he caught Mr..
Grow by the throat Mr.. G. threw his as
sailant's hand off, and Mr.. Reuben Davis,
of Mississippi, who had followed Mr.. Keitt,
evidently with the intention of restraining
him, interposed at once for peace.
This ended the difficulty for an instant,
but almost Immediately Keitt broke from
Mr.. Davis and rushed upon Grow, seizing
him again by the throat, when the latter
planted b low under the left ear of ''lhe
gentleman from South Carolina" which
sprawled hi m fairly upon his face on the
floor. Mr.. Keitt picked himself up, and af
ter some Intellectual and random passes, left
the hall and was seen no more until after
the melee ended, except by some friends
who sponged his bruises. understand he
is under the impression that he STUDIED HIS
TOE, and so fell. The mistake certainly is
excusable, for the blow which he finally
provoked from Mr.. Crows long suffering
patience, was so severe that he would hard
ly be expected to have any very clear recol-
lection of the circumstances.
These transactions, which take SO much
time to relate, were the work of very few
minutes, and all occurred on the Democrat
ic side of the House. When the blow was
struck, dozen Southern men rushed to
wards the parties, some doubtless to keep
the peace, and others to have a hand In the |
fight. Barksdale. of Mississippi, Mcqueen
of South Carolina, Craige, of North Caro- |
lima, and Reuben Davis, were prominent in
the scrimmage. Barksdale specifically says,
and doubt not truly, that his only object
was to separate the eombatants. He and
other opponents seized upon Grow at once,
as Keitt was already ''hors du combat
70 gentlemen on the other side of the hall, |
it looked as though the gentleman from
Pennsylvania was about to be cut into mince
meat, and the Anti -Lecompton men rushed |
over in a body to the rescue. Foremost |
came Mr.. Potter, of Wisconsin, a very ath- |
letic, compact man, who bounded into the |
center of the excited group, striking right |
and left with tremendous vigor. Wash
burne of Illinois, and his brother of Wis |
consin, also were prominent, and for al
minute or two il seemed as though we were
to have Kilkenny fight on a magnificent
scale. Barksdale had hold of Grow, when |
Potter struck him severe blow, suppos-
ing that he was hurting that gentleman.-l
Barksdale turning around and supposing it |
was Elihu Washburne who struck him, |
dropped Grow and struck out at the gen
tleman from Illinois. Cadwallader Wash |
burne, perceiving the attack upon his broth |
er, also made dash at Mr.. Barksdale, and |
seized him by the hair, apparently for the
purpose of drawing him ''into chancery''l
and pummeling him to greater satisfaction |
Horrible TO relate, Mr.. Barksdale's wiel
came of in CadEallader's left hand-andI |
his right fist expended itself against the un-
resisting air. The ludicrous incident did |
much towards restoring good nature sub
sequently, and its effect was heightened not |
little by the fact that in the excitement of
the occasion Barksdale restored his wig |
wrong side foremost. ev
There seemed to be very little method IN
the struggle, and it vas hard to tell Who
was in for earnest, and who was trying to
to restore order. The Speaker yelled and
raped for order without effect, The Ser
geant-at-Arms stalked to the scene of bat
tle, mace in hand, but his American eagle"
had no more effect than the Speakers gavel.
Owen Lovejoy and Lanlas. of Mississippi.
were paving each other at one point-=eaeh
probably trying 10 persuade the other to be
still. Mr.. Mott, the gray-haired Quaker
Representative from Ohio, was seen goingt
here and there IN the crowd. Davis of
Mississippi, got severe but accidental blow
from Mr.. Grow, and various gentlemen sus-'