The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-01-26
How Douglas was Received IN the
Senate.

Senate.
The following letter to TIE St. Louis
Republican, from'its Washington cores
pondent, is an interesting account of the
reception of Mr.. Douglas by his brother
Senators, on taking his seat lately in the
Senate:
The Senate Chamber was scene of
unusual interest this morning, and the
galleries were crowded to excess. Some
thing moro than ordinary seemed to be
anticipated, and every one appeared on
the gui rivs. The foor of the chamber,
as well as the doors leading thereto, were
closely watched by thousands. Bright
and Hammond were in earnest converse
ton at the seat of the former. Squads
of Senators were here and there dotted
over the chamber, and numberless riramt
tableaus presented, which afforded study
for the spectator. Hunter and Pugh were
chatting in lively tones; Clay and Fitz-
patrick were consulting; Brown, of Mis-
siss:ppi, Yves intent on pamphlet he was
reading; Seward and Wilson were joined
by Wade, and the three presented sus-
picious-looking trio of Black. Republican.
ism. Houston and CliDgman discussed
the Clayton and Bulwer Treaty and the
Mexican Protectorate. Green entered,
and soon joined Hammond, when Hunter
came up and Bright left. But the hour
for business drew, near, and the grave Sen
ators again scattered to their seats Gen
eral Jones, o. Iowa, now entered the cham
Der, but appeared restless, as if looking
for something or somebody. Slidell, too,
entered on the opposite, and cast furtive
glance around to see who were present.
A new face was evidently anticipated
Collamer and Benjamin now entered, and
taking opposite directions across the
chamber were soon seated. The journal
bad been read and the current business
commenced Senator'S looked at each
other aud then toward the main entrance;
when, just at that moment, Senator
Douglas, Of Illinois, entered with grace
ful, easy tread, as if he were entering his
own private parlor. The galleries resoun-
ded with clapping and applause, and the
Little Giant was soon surrounded with
Senators shaking hands and offering con-
gratuIations. Green first approached,
followed in order by Brown, Stuart, Hun
ter, Foote, Mallory, Shields, Pugh, Davis
of Mississippi, and many others. 1t was
proud moment for the Senator, and
gratefully did he receive the ovation =
Congratulations over, he was seated by
Senators Stuart and Hunter, and soon en-.
gagged in earnest conversation. General
Jones, in tt, uean time, was busily enga-
ged in arranging papers, and exhibiting
the greatest indifference to the scene trans
piriug near him. He soon rose to offer
a resolution, and some persons thought
his voice trembled slightly. Siidell decli.
ned being q spectator, and retired from
the Senate Chamber, and had not retur-
ned at the closing of this letter.
Such was the return of Stephen A.
Douglas to the United States Senate, af.
ter one of the most remarkable campaigns
known to political history. His colleague,
Judge Trumbull, remained seated at his
desk, with his eyes bent upon some loose
manuscripts before him, apparently ig-
norant of the arrival of Douglas, or the
applause in the galleries. The latter was
a gross violation of the decorum of the
Senate, yet it seemed so apropos, and not
altogether unexpected, that no one arose
to rebuke it.