Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-04-15
Correspondence of the N. Y. Tribune.
The Defeat of LecOmptOn.
WASHINGTON, April l, lSi

w VAShiNdiON, oPih ~ AOoO'
The final struggle on Lecompton at
tracted an immense crowd to the House
this morning. Never have seen the ffoer
so full or the members in so much commo-
ton as when the Speakers rap called them
to order, as the minute hand Of the Hall
clock indicated the hour of noon. Every
body was standing talking TO somebody
else, except Mr.. Giddings, who, with his
gray head thrown back, was reclining in
his chair, contemplating the scene with the
air of man who had seen stormier times
than this, and was not to be disturbed by
a passing sqaall like this Lecompton fur
ry; and Gen. Quitman, who sat, as usual,
quietly reading, the impersonation of dig
nifty, gravity and propriety, wholly un-
moved by the tumult around him; and
lastly, Eli Thayer, who, with his head on
his breast and his hands in his pockets,
was pacing up and down the side of the
Hall with the air Of a conspirator whose
hour for action is close at hand.
Active among the throng were the lead
ing Senators on both sides, of whom Mr..
Bigler was particularly conspicuous in his
efforts to strengthen the wavering and re-
claim the erring. did not notice any
Cabinet officers on the floor this morning.
Their interference on previous occasions
had been so much noticed by the press
that suppose they have grown shy Of
showing themselves.
The Speakers nerves or his temper were
evidently out of order. He raped with
uncommon vehemence, in his efforts to sub
due the buzz in the House. "Gentlemen
will come to order! Gentlemen will take
their seats! Conversation is too lond in
the hall! The Chair will call gentleman
by their names if they do not take their
seatsw Still the buzz continued. Groups
gathered around Stephens, and around
Montgomery, Grow, Gilmer and other lead
ing men. Again the Speaker raped and
chided his unruly flock. Nothing could
keep down the excitement. Some ordina-
ry business was hurried over until the hour
of one arrived-the hour for taking up the
Lecompton question. All eyes were turn
ed to the center of the hall, to the seat of
Stephens, who was already on his feet,
looking at distance like one of the pages
a little taller than his fellows. He paused
a moment as Col. Harris of Illinois, his
deathly pale, corpse-like countenance look
ing still winter and more ghastly from the
blackness fhis beard and hair, was brought
into the hall and placed reclining in bis
seat, striking spectacle of energy and res
olution triumphant over disease and suf-
fering.
''Mr. Speaker" The words were quiet
and subdued, but their shrill, familiar tones
penetrated at once the remotest corners of
the hall, and fell upon thousands of expec-
tant ears.
"The gentleman from Geogia," respond
ed the Speaker. Mr.. Stephens proceeded
to move that the Senate Kansas bill be
taken up. 1t was accordingly read first
time. The second reading was proposed.
Mr.. Giddings, in moment, was on his feet,
saying, 81 object" This fairly opened the
ball.
That vote was taken on the question,
Shall the Senate bill be rejecteds 1t was
decided in the negative by vote of 95
Yeas to 137 Nays. All the Republicans
and three Douglas Democrats Harris of
Illinois, Hickman of Pennsylvania. and one
other) voted in the affirmative. The bill
was read second time. Stephens who
had the floor, then said that he understood
that the opponents of the bill had a substi-
tute to offer. He had intended to speak,
but would give way to allow the substi-
tute to be offered. Mr.. Montgomery of
Pennsylvania offered the substitute-the
Crittenden amendment with some modifi-
cation which had been made at the sug-
gestion of the Republicans. Gen. Quit
man of Mississippi then offered, as an
amendment to the substitute, the original
bill, divested of Pugh's amendment. This
was voted down-Yeas ~, Nays, 160.-
The question was then taken on Montgom-
sry's motion. 1t was carried-Yeas 12O,
Nays l12. The crowded galleries burst
into loud applause. Mr.. Keitt rose, shak-
ing his head with rage, and moved that the
galleries be cleared, but was finally molli-
led, and the offense was suffered to pass
With rebuke from the Speaker. The bill
was put upon its final passage, and pass
I'd by the same vote-a majority of eight
against Lecompton. The House immedi-
'tely adjourned. The defeat of the Ad-
ninistration was enough for one day; for
he nerves cf both friends and foes.
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PEACH BUDs.-We have been shown