The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1858-02-13
Another Congressional Knock-down
The following is on account Of another
disgraeoful melee IN Congress-


The following is on account Of another
idisgraccful melee IN Congress-
WAsinSGroN, Feb. o.
The House was in session all night. a
fight occurred brtwccn Mcsgrs. Grow and
kcitt Tho latter struck Grow twice, and
, Grow knocked him down Tho parties were
then separated.
o'clock A. Mn. Davis Of Mississippi
, unacccptobly proposed by way ofyaricty that
the House have a few speeches.
Mr. Grow objected, The proceedings were
exceedingly dull, about ouc-tcnth ofthc mcm-
bcrs being either asleep or nodding in their
seats. A few were smoking cigars, and others
going and coming from the rclrcshmeut
rooms, Just az this point the House Was
thrown into the most violent excitement, and
fearful sccnc Of confusion took place.
A member of Congress who was a witness
giycs the following particulars; Mr.. Grow
objected 10 Mr.. Quitman making any re-
i,a,,thsi heitt EWIJt " vow arc going 10
object, return 70 your own side of the House.
Mr.. Grow responded, this is free hail. and
every man has a right to be where he plcasos.
Mr., kcitt then came up 20 Mr.. Grow, aud
said, want TO know what YOU mean by such
an answer as that. MIR. Grow replied, mean
just what | say. This is free hall, and a
man has a right TO bc whore he plcases
Mr.. Kcitt taking Mr. Grow by the throat
said-"l will let you know that YOU are a
damned black Republican puppy"
Mr.. Grow knocked up his hand saying..-
III shall occupy such place in this hall as
please and no niger driver shall crack his
whip over me-
Mr., >Kctt then again grabbed Mr., Grow
by the throat, and Mr.. Grow knocked, his
hand off. and Mr.. -Koitt coming at him 4ngaii IN
Mr.. Grow knocked him down.
The fight took place n, 20 minutes to
o'clock. Further difficulties unprecedented.
The respective friends of both parties rushed
TO the rescue. Various members on each side
engaged in the fight which took place in the
area fronting the Clerks desk Mr., Wash.
burn of Illinois, was conspicuous among the
Republicans, dealing heavy blows. The
Speaker loudly and imperatively demanded
order and called on the Sergeant-at-Ar ns.
to Interfere. TINT funciionary, carving his
mace of office, together with his assistants
hurried TO the scene and crowded into the
thickest of the fight, in which at least dozen
members were engaged. Some minutes
elapsed before this truly fearful contest was
quoted. The members having reluctantly
returned to'their seats, there was a dead calm
IN comparison with the scene just enacted
The correspondent of the Tribune, who
was nm eyewitness, gives an after Breakfast
view of the Array in which he rciteratcs
the original encounter, and adds:
"NTr. Ketts cxcitablc Southern friends. in
the mit st of whom Mr. Grow happened TO be
when this took place, rushed to the scene of
conflict, some to help him up, others TO assail
MIR. Grow, and others TO restore order A
mong these last was Mr.. Davis of Mississippi
of whose motive for interfering in the fight
was not aware at the time | sent my telegram.
/ have since learned that he actively exertcd
himself TO preserve peace Mr. Grow, who
stood his ground firmly was thus instantly
surrounded 10y ring of Southern members.
all apparently and some really attacking him.
Conspicuous among them were Messrs. Davis,
Barksdale and l.amar. Surprising that the
whole group wcfo attacking Mr.. Grow, Mr..
IetteF- CIV tset1r1sir7 duBhCd among them
dealing heavy blows on all sides, and receiving
some very severv ones in his face and on va
rious parts of his person. Washburno of Ill |
mos at the same moment sprang over chairs |
and desks to Mr. Grows assistance, followed T
by his brother of Wisconsin, by Tappan of
New Hampshire, and other Republicans. TbcJ
Southern members thus Giriously assailed. of
course defended themselves, and some who
entered the arena MS pcacemakcrs left IL ms
combatants. The battle was severe while Il |
lasted, and revealed very unexpected rcadi- |
ness for fight among the Northern men.
As seen from the Reporters Gallery, IL pres.
cnted droll enough spectacle. There were
some fifty middle aged and elderly gentlemen