The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-04-11
Almost Another Fight in Congress
-Genteel BlackguardiSm.

polygamy. By the Philadelphia Platform
the Republican party stand pledged, as far
as the Federal Government has the power
to extirpate that other twin relic of bar
barism, slavery in the Territories. He
wanted to see them both strangled and 60
down together.
Mr.. Lovejoy, warming up with his SUBJ
iect, passed from his seat to the area in
front of the Clerks desk in full view of all
the members, and spoke in loud tone
with emphasis and earnest gesticulation
against the ground on which it was sought
to justify slavery because the creatures
were poor, and the strong have the power
to oppress the weak, the rich to oppress
the poor, the spirit of slaveholding being
the spirit of the devil, &c.
Several gentlemen called to order.
Mr.. Pryor said the gentlemen from H.
linois had no right to shake his fist at
gentlemen on his side. It was bad enough
to stand in his own place and talk his
treason and insolence.
Mr.. Barksdale-Let him keep on his
own side of the House.
The confusion soon became general, and
members began to press into the area.
Mr.. Cox said the gentleman from Iii.
nois ought to speak from his seat.
Mr.. Pryor-Let him stand there and
talk. He shan't came on this side of the
hall.
Mr.. 3arksdale was seen shaking his
cane, and in the midst of the confusion
was heard to say "rascal." as applied to
Mr.. Lovejoy.
Mr.. Adrain, as if to quiet the tumult,
said the gentleman could speak from his
seat.
The Chairman, Mr.. Washburne, of Me-,
in vain raped to restore order
Mr.. AdraiE, in a concihatory tone. sup
posed that nobody wanted to intimidate
the gentleman.
Mr.. Pryor-No one wants to intimi.
date him.
Mr.. Lovejoy-Nobody can intimidate
me.
Many Republicans now crowded around
Mr.. Lovejoy, who exclaimed to them:
"Oh, I'm safe enough
Mr.. Burnett, elevating his voice above
the din, said the rules required the gen.
tlemen to speak from his seat. He must
and shall do it. He shall not shake his
fist to gentlemen on this side in menaciEg
manner.
The Chairman called loudly for the Ser
geant- at. arms, as if to attend to Mr. Bur.
nett, who said: "You may call the Ser.
geant-at-Arms but the members, shall not
do it,
The glittering mace of the Sergeat-at.
Arms did not quiet the disorder.
Mr.. Kellogg, of Illinois came to the
support of his colleague, saying: ale
shall not commit breach of the rules bu,
shall have his right"
A general fight at one time seemed i'm.
minent, and the widest excitement every
where preveiled.
The Speaker was called in to resume
his seat, and finally comparative quiet was
restored.
Mr.. Lovejoy took the stand at the
Clerks desk, and resumed his remarks
He spoke about Northern Christian wo.
men who went to the South to prevent the
people from returning to barbarism.
Mr.. Singleton said he would not allow
such insinuations on Southern women tc
pass. If the member presisted in tha
course of remarks be would hold him per
sonally responsible.
Mr.. Lovejoy said of the 100000
slaves there was not one legal husband
father, wife or child, and spoke about {
Presbyterian elder down South having the
gospel whipped into him with the broad
side of hand-saw, and of a young girl il
the city being whipped till the blood came
out of her nostrils, and then sent to tn,
garret to die. He had sworn to suppor
the Constitution because he loved it, bu
he did not interpret it in the same way
Southern men cid.
Mr.. Bonham--You violate it.
Mr.. Ashmore-And perjured yourself
Mr.. Leighton--And are negro THE
into the bargain.
Mr.. Barksdale-I hold no parley will
a perjured negro.
Mr.. Lovejoy-I can 60 to England
and there discuss the question of Churcl
and State, or any other British institution
but if go to the slave States and tall
against slavery. where is my protection?
Mr.. Miles-Can you go to England
and incite the laboring classes to assassi
nate the Queen?
Mr.. Lovejoy-I do not desire to do that
. claim the right to discuss slavery every
where under the stars and stripes.
{ claim it demand it.
Mr.. Barkesdale-The meanest negr,
in the South is your superior.
Cries of order from the Republican
, side.
Mr. I.oxaiax In sneakinr of Lob