Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1858-02-17
The late Fight in the House.

we nave seen several accounts OIL he iate unioT.
tunate difficulty in the House of Representatives be-
tween Mr.. Keitt, of South Carolina, and Mr.. Grow,
Of Pennsylvania, and in which other members were
involved before it was terminated. Mr.. Keitt was
clearly in the wrong. Mr.. Grow had right to any
part Of the hall, 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 as
journalists aiming to be truthful and just though we
detest Mr.. Grows principles and associations, and
can have no sympathy with him. ."
As the danger increases-and it is increasng-it
becomes the representatives of the Southern people
in both houses of Congress to address themselves to
their duties with more than ordinary camness and
dignity. Our cause is too momentous-it involves
too many great and vital interests to be put to haz
ard to be injuriously affected by the mere pas.
sions resentments Of individual members. Let
us meet the aegressions Of our enemies with firm.
ness but the halls Of Congress not the places for
the exhibition or the exer,ion Of physical force.
The Washington Correspondent of the New York
Times gives a somewhat amusing account Of the
scene. Messrs. Barksdale and Davis. of Mississippi,
interfered soon as they saw Messrs. Kett and
Grow together, with the view Of separating them;
and as Mr.. Keitt pretty we'll through with his
part of the fight, and as Mr.. Grow 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 hall, It
looked very much though the gentleman from
Pennsylvania was about to be cut into mnce- meat.
and the Anti Lccompton men rushed over in a body
to the rescue Foremost came Mr. Potter Of Wis
consin, very athletic, compact man. who bounded
into the Of the excited group. striking right
and left with tremendous vigor Washburne, Of Il
noiS and his brother, Of Wisconsin, also prom
inent, and for a minute two it seemed as though
we were to have Kilkenny fight a magnificent
scale Barksdale had hold of Grow, when Potter
struck him a severe blow. supposing that he was
hurting that gentleman. Barksdale turning around
and surprising it was Elhn Washburne who struck
him. dropped Grow and struck out at the gentleman
from Illinois. Cadwalader Washburne perceiving
the attack upon his brother. also made dash at
Mr. Barksdale and seized him by the hair apparent.
" for the purpose of drawing him into chancery"
and pummelng him TO greater satisfaction. Horrible
to relate Mr.. Barksdales wig came off in Cadwaa-
der's left hand-and his right fist expended itself
with tremendous force against the unresisting air.
This ludcrons incden: unquestionably did much to-
wards restoring good nature subsequently y,-and its
effect heightened not little by the fact that in
the excitement Of the occasion Baiksdale restored
his wig wrong side foremost.
There to have beeu very little method in the
struggle and it was hard to tell who in for
est and who was trying 10 restore order The Speaker
| yelled and raped for order. without effect The
Sergeant. Arms stslke the scene Of battle
in hand. but his american eagle" had no ef
| feet than the Speakers gavel. Owen Lovejoy and
| Lamar. of Mississippi, were paving each other at
point-ench probably trying to persuade the
other to be still. Mr.. Mott, the gray haired Quaker
representative from Ohio, going here and
there in the crowd Davis, of Mississippi, got a Sc
we're but accidental blow from Mr.. Grow. and vari
gentlemen sustained slight bruises and scratches
Virginia representative. who thought Montgomery,
of Pennsylvania, was about to "pitch in" laid his
han0 upon his arm to restrain him. and was per-
emptorily ordered to desst or be knocked down.
Mr.. Covode, of Pennsylvania, caught up heavy
stone.ware spittoon, with which to "bran" who
ever might seem to deserve il, but fortunately did
hot succeed in getting far enough into the excited
crowd to find appropriate subject for his VEN
geance and all over the Hall everyb body was excited
for the time"
| The scene must have been a rich one, especially
Barksdale with his wig on wrong side foremost
Barksdale, we believe is one of the Editors of the
Mississippian. 1t is fashionable for people in this
part of the United States pull off their coats be-
fore they engage in a fight; but advise Barks
dale to pull off his wig before he engages even
peacemaker, in another fstcuff. "Blessed are the
peacemakers" and the-Edtors Mr. Barksdale'.
intentions were the best in the world but Editor
like he "pitched in" and "caught it" generally
Wuhc caught HIS TUT part wv
do not wear a wig, and never expect to- We have
that advantage of Barksdale. if he is an NJ C.
On Monday last Mr.. Kei,t, by unanimous consen
Of the House, made personal explanation. He as
sumcd all responsibility for the violation of the dig
nifty and decorum of the House on Saturday morn
ing He, he said, the aggressor, and he alone
He expressed his profound regret for the occur
renee.
Personal collisions, especially in legislative body
were reprehensble, if possibly avodable. He coult
not say whether not a blow directed at him
He not conscious of having received one. H.
wished to make to the House whatever reparatiol
he could, by this expression of his regret for wha
had occurred.
Mr.. Grow said that he had been taught in hi
youth that fights among men were disgracefnl. Hi
mature judgment had approved the teaching. Ye
the right of self defence was dear to him.
On Saturday morning, for the first time in his life
he was engaged in personal encounter. He ex
pressed his regret at its occurrence, and tendere
his apologies to the House. ..r... ...
Very handsomely done all round We hope thi
. s the last of it.. ...
HIGH PRICES FOR NEGRoEs-The Commissioner j
Equity for Darlington Distric,, S. c., sold on Nor
day last, the negroes belonging to two estates. On
lot consisted Of 81 negroes: the aggregate Of sale