Daily national Democrat., 1859-02-17
How the Little Giant was Received in
the u. s. Senate Chamber.


The return of Douglas to his seat in the
Senate Chamber, says the st. Louis CORES
pondent of the Bulletin, is graphically de-
scribed by some of those who were eye wit
nesses to the scene The following from
correspondent of the St. Louis Republican, is
the most glowing picture have seen of the
Little Giants reception by his brother Sena-
tors
The Senate Chamber was scene of unusu-
al interest this morning and the galleries
were crowded to excess Something more
than ordinary seemed to be anticipated, and
every one appeared on the qui gire. The
floor of the chamber, as well as the doors
leading thereto, were closely watched 10y
thousands Bright and Hammond were i'll
earnest conversation at the seat of the former.
Squads of Senators were here aud there dot
ted over the chamber, and numberless givdntS
tabieaur presented which afforded study for
the spectator. Hunter and Pugh were chat
ting in lively tones; Clay and Fitzpatrick
were consulting; Brown, of Mississippi, was
intent on pamphlet he was reading; Sew
ard and Wilson were join by Wade, the three
presented n suspicious-looking trio Of Black
Repubicansm. Houston and C!ingman dis
cnssed the Clayton Bulwer Treaty and the
Mexican Protectorate Green entered, and
soon joined Hammond, when Hunter came
up and Bright left. But the hour for bust
ness drew near, and the grave Senators scat
tered to their seats General Jones, of Iowa,
now entered the chamber, but appeared rest
less, as if looking for something or somebody.
Slidrll, too entered on the opposite, and east
a furtive glance around to see apho were pres
ent.
A new face was evidently anticipated.
Collamar and Benjamin now entered, and
taking opposite directions across the cham
ber, were soon seated The journal had been
read and the current business commenced.
Senators looked at each other and then to-
ward the main entrance; when, just at that
moment, Senator Douglas, of Illinois, entered
with an easy, graceful tread, as if he were
entering his own private parlor. The gale
ries resoundcd with clapping and applause,
and the Little Giant was soon surrounded
with Senators shaking hands and offering con
gratulations. Green first approached. fol-
lowed in order by Brown, Stuart, Hunter.
Foote, Mallory, Shields Pugh, Davis, of Mis-
slssppi, and many others. 1t was a proud
moment for the Senator and gracefully did
he receive the ovation. Congratulations
over he was seated by Senators Stuart and
Hunter, and soon engaged in earnest conver-
sation. General Jones, in the meantime was
busily engaged in arranging papers, and ex-
hihiting the greatest indiffesence to the scene
transpirng near him. He soon rose to offer
a resolution, and some persons thought his
voice trembled SlighHH Shdell declined be-
ing a spectator, and retired from the Senate
Chamber, and had not returned at the clos
ing of this letter.
Such was the return of Stephen A. Doug
las to the United States Senate, after one of
the most remarkable campaigns known to po
litical history. His colleague, Judge Trum-
bull, remained seated at his desk, with his
eyes bent cpon some loose manuscripts be-
fore him. apparently ignorant of the arrival
of Douglas, or the applause in the galleries
The latter was a gross violation of the deco
rum of the Senate, yet it seemed so apropoS
aud not altogether unexpected, that no one
arose to rebuke it.