The Kanzas news., 1858-02-06
Vol. 1---No. 80.
"reminiscences.

/ "reminiscences.
The following extract of a letter from the
Hon. ]. B. Giddings. to the editor of the
-Ashta6ula Sentinel, win be read with pecu-
liar interest:
''WAsHINGToN, Dec. Is, 1857.-This is
the last session to be held in the old Hall of
| Representatives. Tomorrow we occupy
the new building, and this will be appro-
priated to other purposes. / look around
upon its majestic columns, its lighted dome,
| Its spacious galleries, its faded tapestry, its
gray walls, with emotions of sadness. They
have long been familiar to my view. have
become attached to them. They seem to
have been companions of my better days.
L look at the figure of the recording angel.
as he sits upon the clock Of time, with pen
recording those passing events which viii
long live in history, after we shall have
passed from our present state of existence.
They viii tell for good or for eYilon coming
generations. There, high elevated above
the Speakers chair, stands the Genius of
! America, holding forth that scroll which
contains our past history, of which mem
bers take so little notice. He and the re-
cording angel look down on US with coun-
tenance cheered with hope for the future,
rather than with satisfaction with regard to
the present.
The Speakers seat, the Clerks table,
the mace the old armed chairs, the writing
desks, are dear to me. They have for twen-
ty years been my companions. With them
have spent the best, the most active part
of my life, and am now panied at the sepa-
ration.
Here have spent sleepless and anxious
days. ] well recollect the time, when, for
thirty consecutive hours, the Old Man
Eloquent maintained his seat, now near me,
during one of those conflicts which often
marked that period of our history. He has
long since passed from those scenes to the
peaceful climes of the spirit land. Yet me-
thinks l see his venerable form, with his
pen in his hand, watching transporting events,
as in days of yore. He was the connecting
link between the revolutionary and the pre-
sent age.
With thrilling emotions I call to mind
the period when he was arraigned by the
slave power before the House, for presenting
the respectful petition of his constituents.
l now see him in memory, as he stood at
the time of his celebrated reply to Marshall
on that memorable occasion. His aged
form seemed to rise with his subject his
language became impassioned and his in
vectives more and more terrible, until many
cheeks were bathed in tears. Reporters
laid aside their pens; the vast galleries
seemed filled with inanimate beings, bent
forward in the attitude of endeavoriDg to
catch each syllable that fell from his lips.
A friend now occupies the seat at which he
cfo fho OF xryl.f ha ybaT,
the angel of death kindly summoned him
less form from the hall. We placed him in
the last of earth
peared in this Legislative temple since l first
took my seat, made their obeisance to man
kind, pronounced few words, and then
disappeared. Many have gone before me to
the unknown land. Some have climbed to
higher honors, and some have disappeared
in the mass of human beings who throng
the earth.
What scenes have witnessed within these
walls It were perhaps well to draw the
veil of obscurity over them. There Gar
land and Bynum fought. On my left, near
the door, White and Rathbun came into
conflict. opposite TO where SIT, Haralson
and Johnson exchanged blows. But time
would fail me were I to describe the re-en-
actments of Wier, Stanley, and Bell and
others, who figured in those unworthy af-
trays. The fourishing of canes, the show
of bowie knives, and the cooking of pistols,
with the apparent purpose of assassination,
all rush upon the recollection as l call TO
mind those scenes which marked the early
history of the cause of Freedom.
Here, too, have witnessed the highest
manifestations of patriotism. [ have been
enraptured with the most sublime eloquence,
and have laughed 10 perfect exhaustion un-
der the facetious powers of Corwin. Stark
weather, and other. But here comes the
message from the Senate. announcing the
death of Senator Bell, of New Hampshire.
Another friend is gone. He was my junior
in years and in service here. Hon. Mason
w. Tappan has risen to pronounce an eulo-
gy upon the deceased. In a few moments
we shall resolve to go into mourning for my
deceased friend. AS place the sad en-
blem upon my arm, departed friends and
departed scenes must occupy my thoughts
South American Antiquities.