Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-02-13

The late Fight In tAs Hpuse.
We have seen several accounts Of the late unfor-
tunate difficulty in the House Of Representative be-
tween Mr.. Keitt, Of South Carolina, aud Mr.. Grow,
of Pennsylvania, and in which other members were
involved before it was terminated. Mr.. Kett was
clearly in the wrong. Mr.. Grow had right to any
part Of the hail. at least to make motion; and but
for the rude remark made to him by Mr.. Kett, the
scene would not have occurred. We say this Is
journalists aiming to be truthful and just though we
detest Mr. Crows principles and associations, and
can have no sympathy with him. -
As the danger increases-and it Is increasingly
becomes the representatives of the Southern people
in both houses of Congress to address themselves TO
their duties with more than ordinary calmness and
dignity. Our cause is too momentous-it involves
too many great and vital interests to be put to haz
ard OF to be injuriously affected by the mere pas
sions or resentments of individual members. Let
US meet the aggressions Of our enemies with firm
ness but the halls of Congress not the places for
the exhibition or the exertion of physical force.
The Washington Correspondent of the New York
Times gives somewhat amusing account of the
scene Messrs Barksdale and Davis, of Mississippi,
Grow together, with the view of separating them;
and as Mr.. Keitt was pretty well through with his
part Of the fight, and as Mr.. Grow was just getting
his "dander" fully up, they both seized on him
to hold him; but, says the Correspondent of the
Times
"To gentlemen on the other side Of the hail. it
looked very much as though the gentleman from
PENNSYLVANIA was about to be cut into mnce-m meat,
and the Anti Lecompton men rushed over in body
to the rescue. Foremost came Mr. Potter, OF Wis
consin, a very athletic compact man, who bounded
into the centre of the excited group, striking right
and left with tremendous vigor Washburne, Of ILL.,
noS, and his brother, Of Wisconsin, also were prom
inent and for a minute two it seemed as though
we were to have a Kilkenny fight on a magnificent
SCALE Barkstale had hold Of Grow, when Potter
struck him a severe blow, supposing that ne was
hurting that gentleman. Barksdale turning around
and supposng it Elihu Washburne who struck
him, dropped Grow and struck out at the gentleman
from Illinois Cadwallader Washburne percciving
the attack upon his brother. also made a dash at
Mr. Barksdalc and seized him by the hair, apparent
ly for the purpose of drawing him Into chancery
and pummeling him to greater satisfaction. Horrible
to relate, Mr. Barksdae's wig came off in Cadwala-
der's left hand-and his right fist expended itself
with tremendous force against the unressting air.
This ludcrous inciden: nnquestionably did much to-
wards restoring good nature subsequently,-and Its
effect heightened not little BY the fact that in
the excitement OF the occasion barkS0aie reStoEeu
his wig wrong side foremost.
There seems to have beeu very little method in the
struggle and it hard to tell who was in for earn
est and who trying 10 restore order The Speaker
yelled and raped for order, without effect. The
Sergeant. Arms stake to the scene of battle, mace
in hand but his "American eagle had no more eft:
feet than the Speakers gavel. Owen, Lovejoy and
Lamar, of Mississippi, were paving each other at
one point-each probably trying to persuade the
other to be still. Mr.. Mott the ay-haired Quaker
representative from OHIO, was seen going here and
there in the crowd Davis, of Mississippi, got Sc.
we're but accidental blow from Mr.. Grow. and vari
gentlemen sustained slight bruises and scratches
A Virginia representative. who thought Montgomery,
of Pennsylvania, about to "pitch in" laid his
hand upon his arm to restrain him, and was per-
emptorily ordered to desist or be knocked down.
Mr. Covode, of Pennsylvania, caught up a heavy
stone-ware spittoon, with which to "brain " who.
might seem to deserve it, but fortunately did
not succeed in getting far enough into the excited
crowd to find an appropriate subject for his ven-
geance and all over the Hall everybody was excited
for the time"
The scene must have been rich one, especially
Barksdae with his wig on wrong side foremost
Barksdae, we believe, is of the Editors of the
Mississippian 1t is fashionable for people in this
part of the United States to pull off their coats be-
fore they engage in fight; but we advise Banks
dale to pull off his wig before he engages even as
peacemaker, in another fisticuf: blessed are the
peacemakers" and the-Editors! Mr.. Barksdales
intentions were the best in the world but Editor
like he "ptched in" and "caught il" generally,
while Washburne caught his wig. For our part we
do not wear wig and never expect to. We have
that advantage of Barksdale, if he is an NJ. C.
On Monday last Mr.. Keitt by unanimous consent
Of the House, made personal explanation. He as
sumed all responsibility for the violation of the dig
nifty and decorum of the House on Saturday morn
ing. He, he said, was the aggressor, and he alone.
He expressed his profound regret for the occur.
renee
Personal collisions especially in legislative body,
were reprehensble, if possibly avoidabe. He could
not say whether not blow directed at him.
He not conscious of having received one He
wished to make to the House whatever PREPARATION
he could by this expression of his regret for what
had occurred.
Mr. Grow said that he had been taught in his
youth that fights among men were disgraceful. His
mature judgment had approved the teaching. Yet
the right of self defence was dear to him.
On Saturday morning, for the first time in his life
he engaged in personal encounter. He ex
pressed his regret at its occurrence and rendered
his apologies to the House.
Very handsomely done all round. We hope this
is the last of it.
HIGH PRICES FOR NEGRoEs.-The Commissioner in
Equity for Darlington Distric', S. c., sold on Mon
day last the negroes belonging to two estates One