Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1858-02-18
THE FIGHT IN THE HOUSE.

The washington correspondent OF the
New York Times gives the following clear
and graphic statement Of the encounter be-
tween Keill and Grow, and the melee which
ensued.
Every thing passed of 10 excellent tenn
per, Aad with less excitement than is usual
to night sessions, until nearly 4 O'Clock this
morning. Mr.. Grow, who is the recog-
nized Republican leader in the House, went
over 10 the Democratic side Of the Hall 10
talk with Mr.. Hickman, Of Pa.-As be
turned to leave, ar. Quitman rose and ask.
ed to make an explanation. Mr. Grow OBJ
jected 10 any speeches which we're out Of
order, and then started down the aisle with
view Of returning to his own seat, when
Mr.. Keir, offs. G. called out 10 him, ask
ing, "Why don't you 60 over on your own
side, God d-n you, il you want to object?
What business have you over on this side,
any howl" or something to that effect.
Mr. Grow replied quietly and cOolly,
saying, "This is a free hall, and have the
right to object from any part of it, when |
choose" When in response to an appeal
from Mr.. Harris. of Indiana, Mr.. Grow
withdrew bis objections, in order to per-
NIT Cen Quitman to 90 on. BY this
time, Keitt, who seems to have supposed
that be had only TO look ferociously at
Northern man to wilt him-and who pre-.
sumed, perhaps, upon the fact that he is a
more athletic man than the gentleman from
Pennsylvania-had crossed over to meet
Mr.. Grow. As the latter was about to
pass, Keitt inquired in a rufianly tone,
Nv nat did you mean by that answer which
you gave me just now?'
81 meant preciesly what l said-thst
this is free ball, and 1 will object from
whatever palt Of 1t see fL' was Mr..
Crows reply, as he looked bis assaiant
calmly in the face. The cbiyalrous and
genllemanly South Crolinian returned to
the charge, saying: an show you, You
ID Black Republican puppy!" Mr..
Grow, still unexcited, answered, "You may
thiuk me what you please, Mr. Keitt; but
let Inc tell you that no nigger.driver shall
come up from bis plantation to crack his
lash about my earsT' "We'Il see about
that" said Keitt, as he caught Mr.. Grow
BY the throat. Mr.. G.. threw his assail.
ants hand of, and Mr. Reuben Davis, also
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 blow under the left ear of the
gentleman from South Carolina which
sprawled him fairly upon his face on the
floor. Mr., Keitt picked himself up and
after some Intellectual ard random passes,
left the bali and was seen no more until
after the melee ended, except by some
friends who sponged his bruises. Iunder-
stand he is Ofthe impression that he stub
bed his toe, and so fell The mistake, Ger.
tainly, is excusable, for the blow which be
finally provoked from Mr.. Crows long,
suffering patience, was so severe that be
would hardly be expected to have any very
clear recollection 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.
c side of the EIoue. When the blow was
struck, dozen Southern men rushed to.
ward the parties, some doubtless to keep
the peace, and others to have hand in the
fight. Barksdale, Of Miss, Nc Queen, oI
S, c., Craige, Of N. O., aud Renben Da
Wis were prominent in the scrimage. Barks'
dale specifically states, and l doubt not tru'
S ly that bis only object was to separate the
: contestants. lie and other opponents siez
ed upon Grow at once, as Kett was already
hors du combat. To gentlemen Oh th,
other side of the hall it looked very muct
as though the gentleman from Pennsyva
MIA was to be cut into mince. meat, and tht
Anti Lecomploa men rushed over in
L body to the rescue. Foremost came Mr.
Potter, Of Wis, a very athletic, compact man
; who bounded into the centre Of the excl
IS ted group striking right and left with ire
mendous yigor. Washburue, of III, anC
0 his brother, of Wis, also were prominent
Il and for minute or two it seemed as thougl
: we were to have a Kilkenny fight on
S magnificent scale. Barksdale had hold 0
Grow, when Potter struck him a sever
blow, supposing that he was hurting tba
gentleman. BarksdaIe tuning around an,
supposiDg it was Elibu Wasbburne VIII
struck lin dropped Grow,and struck out a
a the gentleman from Illinois. Cadwallade
P Washburne perceiving the attack upon hi
: brother also made a dash at Mr.. BaIks
v dale, and siezed him by the hair, apparent
d ly for the purpose of drawing him "int
Il chancery" and pumme!ing him to create
e. satisfaction. Horrible to relate, Mr.. Barks
% dale's wig came off in Cadwalader's lei
l. band-and bis right first expended itse
IS with tremendous force sgaiustthe unresist
'e ing air. This ludicrous incident uuques
/ tionabIy did much toward restoring goo
& nature subsequentlyI-and its effect wa
s. 5, heightened not little by the fact that in tb
III excitement of theoccasion Barksdsle restol
re ed bis wig wrong side foremost.
OF There seems TO be very little method
m the struggle, and it was hard to tell VIII
in was in for earnest, and who was trying
<. restore order-The Speaker yelled and raj
10 ped for order. without effect. The Sc
geant at Arms stalked to the scene of ba
tie, mace in hand, but his "Ameriean e
a gle" had no more effect than the Speaker
= gavel. Owen Lovejoy and Lamar, of Mi
L.. - ana nos