The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1860-02-14

DEf MoIsEs, Feb. z, 1860.
DEAN GAra: IL would be uttery impossible
for any one, except an accurate shorthand
reporter, to give m adequate idea on lcgis-
lative occurrences this day. and shall not
attempt it nor, perhaps, would it be sum
cienkly interesting to the general reader to
paw the trouble il undertook it. The sub
| ieot was that part of the inaugural relating
TO John Brown.
Mr. Williams, Of Dubuque, led Of against
the Inaugural in q style Of grandiloquence
highly fskrsshing. he called himself a Are
eater, admired slavery as great social
blessing, and regarded ID a. the natural con-
dition of the negro. He did not wish the
John Brown portion of the Inaugural digni.
fed by o reference TO any committee.
Following him were Rosenkrans, Lachenr,
Gurley, Clark OF johnson, and Peet, repre-
sensing both sides OF the argument, the DEM
oerats speaking much in Williams's strain.
MIR. Caldwell, of vanBaren, made an ex-
cellens speech. MIR. @. is clear thinker,
hu. bis speaking is slightly too impetuous.
His arguments were we'll considered and
pondcrous, and If bis ennnciation had been
more unimpassioned, he would have pro-
duccd better effect. As it was his remarks
embodied clear aud unanswerable vindi-
cation Of tho inaugural and OF Republican
ism. Ciay,--as you know the advan-
tsge Of handsome and progressing per-
son, and, withal, is a gentleman OF the high-
est type. In answer to Williams, who had
said the Republican party was under the
guardianship of ladies and ministers, Mr.. G.
remarked that Rapubloanism was in q
healthy condition when it has in its train
band ladies and the clergy, ~...- ssas 1000
focos were content to have merely s'niggers
and whisky" In answering fools according
to their folly, and employing scathipg ridi-
Guile and whitening rebuke, Mr.. @. was pre-
eminent in the discussion.
Before he closed he incidentally remarked
that Clagett had uttered an ungenerous in
siuuatiGn against Iowa, when he said that
he was glad that bis relatives had never left
slave Maryland for free Iowa. MIR. O. said
he (Clagett) bad been much honored in
Iowa. The Wing party had done much for
him. He had been elevated to honorable
positions. He had been formally admitted
into Know Nothing lodg,.
Here Clagett exploded, and denied that be
had been Know Nothing.
81 know" said Mr.. Caldwell, speaking to
Clagett, and pointing his finger with much
emphasis at the Judge, 81 know that you
admitted in Keosanqua, on the evening Of o
certain barbecue, that you had been initiated
into K N. lodge. Is il not so ?''
Clagett would not answer. In the midst
Of proarious.excitement, in whiCh Iooofo.
coism was desperately worsted, Lacheur
rose, and in O voice that sweiled out like tht
ROARING Of maay oataracts, called Mr. Cald.
well to order. Clsgett, seeing the thing was
ridiculous, passed up to Laoheur, and, pat
ting him on the shoulder, told him to don't.
ciforate until he was called down by the
| Chair.
/ Clagett followed Caldwell, and show cd
fght--was willing to give Dir. Caldwell sat.
isfaetion in any way known to gentlemen. III
acknowledged he had united with the Know
Nothings, but had left them much Disguised
and sick at the stomach.
Truly yours, j. ND.