The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-02-16
THE FIGHT I'M CONGRESS-.

Oh tue OuLSlue VI VuI paper tO-Oays We
publish an account of the fight in Congress
on the night of the 5th inst.
A correspondent of the Charleston Mer-
curry gives the following account of the
the one we publish elsewhere:
AT about o'clock, a. M, Gen. Quit
man offered proposition to diseRtangle
the proceedings in the House. Mr. Grow.
who was in one of the aisles on the Demo-
cratic side of the House, objected little
tartly Mr. Keitt said to him: Go on the
other side of the House, to which you be-
long, if you want to object" Mr. Grow
answered: "I'll object where / please"
Mr. keitt then said: Wait till can come
round, and I'll take care of you.' Mr.
Keitt went round and said to him: You
abolition puppy. move to to your side of
the House, and don't stay here Mr.
Grow said: ''I'll stay as long as I please"
Mr. keitt then choked him for an instant.
He then started off, when Mr. Grow said:
'You can't come from your plantation and
crack the whip over me-" Mr. Keitt turned
back and said: 'rll choke you again for
that insolence," and he grasped his throat
a second time. Gen. Davis. of Miss, then
interfering, wreHched Mr. Keitt round to
keep them apart, and pressing him against
the corner of table, Mr. Keitt partially
fell. Mr. Grow, when Keitt was wrenched
round to separate them, struck at Mr. Keitt
we think, but did not reach him. Those by
say he did not reach him. MIR Barksdale,
in interfering to separate them, was struck,
and dealt few heavy blows in return.
The whole thing was sudden and over in a
moment. There was not much excitement
before or afterwards. This is a succinct
statement of the whole affair, which will.
doubtless, be greatly exaggerated by the
Black Republican Newspapers
A Washington correspondent of the
South" says:
after all the uproar and confusion Of
the rencontre had subsidized, and order been
completely restored, Mr.. Barksdale, of
Mississippi, than whom no more dauntless
spirit breathes walked quietly to the scat
of Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, and said in
an ordinary tone. Il understand sir, that
you deny having struck me-" Indeed l
did not strike you sir" anxiously replied
Mr.. w. Then, sir" said Mr.. Barksdale,
speaking all the time in quiet, cool under
tone, 81 pronounce you to be an infamous
liar.'' The honorable Freesoiler had no re-
ply to make to this, and Mr.. Barksdale
turned quietly away"
On Monday, the two principal combat
tants apologized to the House as follows:
Mr. Keitt, of South Carolina. said:
Mr. Speaker: ask the House to indulge
me a moment ia a personal explanation.
The House will remember that its proceed
ings during the session of Friday were
broken with an unpleasant incident. 1t is
due to fair dealing that l should assume
upon myself all the responsibility for the
violation of its order, dignity and deco
rum. l was the aggressor. and whatever
eff responsibility attaches to the act proper
ly belongs to me alone. 1t is also due to
Justice that should make whatever repara-
ton is in my power to the dignity and de
that in the expression of profound regret
at the occurrence. Personal collisions are
always unpleasant, very seldom excusable,
rarely iastifiable, never in a Legislative
budy. 1 feel, then, the full force of the
responsibility which / assume in saying
that was the aggressor, and that the en-
tire responsibility belongs to me. -..s-
In this connection, ] have but one other
remark to make-and that is, whether any
blow was struck at me is more than can
say. am at least utterly unconscious of
having received any. With this explana-
ton, part with the subject.
Mr. Grow, of Pennsylvania, then spoke
as follows: ...r
Mr. Speaker: have been taught from my
childhood that all fights among men are
disgraccful to human nature and to
Christian community, and especially when
it occurs among the law makers of people
in the midst of their deliberations. The
judgment, sir, Of my ripper years has fully
satisfied me that my education. in this re-
spect, at least, has been good and true.
Yet, sir, the law of self defense recognize
as one of the inalenable rights of man, to
be exercised upon all occasions and under
all circumstances, where it is necessary to
protect life or person; and, sir. at the last
sitting of this House found myself unex-
pectedIy engaged, for the first time in my
life, in personal conflict. To the House
tender most cheerfully whatever of apollo
gy is due for this violation of their order
and decorum, and no one can regret more
than myself shat there should have been
any occasion for violation of either. =
-~~--><>< 0 -<<>~~~----
Tunnel BETWEEN ENGLAND AND
FRANCE.-Some time ago. French engin-
eer, NJ. Thome de Gamond, publised a
plan for uniting England with France by
means of a tunnel beneath the sea, from
Bologne- sur Mer to Dover. We learn
from Paris that the Emperor of the French
regards such tunnel as both desirable
and practicable, and that by his orders NJ. de
Gamond's plan was referred to a commits
sion of government civil engineers, all emf
nent men. This commission, after examin
ing the scheme in all its details, have come
to the conclusion that it is feasible, and
n,rbt to ba cor;ouSlv antertaiued and If