The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1860-04-17
Correspondence OF the N. Y. Tribune.
MIR. LOvejoy's Speech The PatriarchaI Mob
In the House.
WAsHIYGroN. April 8, |.

WASHINGTON, Aprll D, 1850.
Freedom of speech on the Republican
side Of the Chamber, was vindicated to.
day in The House Of Representative. The
House resolved itself into Committee Of
the Whole upon the state f the Union,
and Mr.. Washburn, Of Maine, WAS called to
the Chair. After laying aside a dozen
bills, the Committee reached that upon
the tariff, which was taken up for consider,
alton. The floor was assigned to Mr..
Lovejoy, of Illinois. For three or four
days honorable gentlemen, and especially
those from the South, had been sketching
tho lineaments of polygamy with free
pencil. Mr.. Lovejoy, with an eye to ar.
tistic harmony, now proceeded to point the
beauties of the other "twin relic of barba-
rsm"-Slavcry. The patriarchs from be.
low the Potomac, who gloat over the black
twin, but detcst the white, were eager to
hear what Lovejoy had to say in dIspar.
agement Of their ebony fayorite.
1t was soon evident fiom the high key
in which he pitched his speech, that the
eight weeks Of incessant abuse to which
one side Of the Chamber had been subject.
ed, during the struggle over the Speaker
ship, had not been thrown away upon
Loyejoy. Apt always to free his mind, he
had what our Methodist friends call uncom.
mon "liberty' to-day. When he com.
menced speaking, he stood quite on the
Char, and at remote point from the De-
mocracy. Getting warm with his theme
he advanced step by step, as is his wont
when reused, until he reached the area in
front Of the Chair, and continued, as he
uttered one sentence after another, to cross
gradually over toward the Democratic
benches, his right arm, with tn, fist clench.
ed, being extended high in air-this not
being a menance, as was evident to every.
body, but simply one Of the usual gestures
of the Illinois orator.
In the ardor Of his argument, Loveioy
was approaching the line which divides the
Republican from the Democratic side of
the Chamber. llo was utterng severe
philippics against slavery as syste -
lie was endorsing and explaining and en-.
forcing John Wesley's declaration, that it
is "the sum Of all viIanies.' He was Meth.
er attacking, nor aluding to, persons, but
only to the institution" Doubtless he
was using sharp words, and was looking
straight at the Chiyalry. And thereupon,
Roger A. Pryor rose and walked rapidly
down one of the aisles, and confronting
Loycjoy, and standing close to him, said
in substance, that he would not allow him
to utter such language. 4 that precise
instance Lovejoy's right arm was lifted on
high, and the fist cleuchcd, being in the
act Of enforcing his argument with an
emphatic gesture. In the twinklng of an
eye, Mr.. John +. Potter of Wisconsin con
fIonted Pryor, and said, in substance, to
him. "Lo'ejoy shall speak. ~ For eight
weeks we have listened TO your stuff, in
silence, and now we intend to say what we
please. Lovejoy shall speak" Pryor
made no remark.
In the briefcst possible space Of time.
there was rush to tic spot from all parts
Of the House, until some forty members
were in the area, compactel together, anI
all talking yocifcrou,ly, and geslicuiatiug
violently, in the midst of whom stood
LoyejOy, with arm still extended, his mind
doubtless intent upon the spot where he
stopped when interrupted by the patriarch
Pryor, and seemingly waiting for the tu.
multi to subsile, so that he could complete
hIs unfinished gesture, and 20 on with his
outline sketch Of the black twin"
The most conspicuous Of the patiiarchs
who rushed 10 the vindicatlcn of their eb.
ony darling were, in addition to Mr.. Pryor
Messrs. Barksdale, Barnett, and Crawford.
If injustice is done by this Classification,
the error will be cheerfally corrected.
Ofthe Rounlhea!s who went down the
promptest to the defence of Mr.. Loveioy,
after Mr. Potter, perhaps Mr.. Kellogg of
Illinois, who made the Chamber ring with
the declaration that his colleague should DO
heard Mr.. Mlward of Pa, Mr.. Farnsworth
Of Ill.,, Mr.. Kenyon and Mr.. Beal of n. Y,
Mr.. Edgerton and Mr.. Tompkins of Ohio,
should be mentioned, though others, doubt.
less, deserves credit for the readiness thew
displayed to vinicate freedom Of speech on
tae floor Of the House at any hazard.
The scene lasted some five minutas--a
long time in row. The Chairman piled
his mallet till he grew weary, and shouted
Order TIL no grew hoarse, In despair
he summoned the Sergeant. at-Arms. A.
is usual in such oxigsncies, that functuary
could not b. found. A substitute finally
and approached the brawling
crowd, bearing aloft the mace, the EN-.
biem of authority and dignity, which in
this instance consists of black blu oeon,
some three feet long, having small me.
talic eagle with spread pinions, and look.
ing rather chicken-hearted, pearched on its
top. But neither the patriarchs, with
Pryor at their head, who we're shouting at
the top Of their voices, that Lovejoy sho'd
not abuse the black relic; nor the Round
heads, with Potter as their organ, who
were declaring in stentorian tones that
Losejoy should express his opinion respect
ing said relic, paid the slightest regard to
Washburne's mallot or the Sergeants mace.
Abandoning all hope of bringing order
out Of such chaos, Mr.. Washburn left
the chair, which was resumed by the
Speaker, to whom Mr.. w. hastily reported
that the committee was unable to proceed
with its busn,s SIS on account of the disor.
derly conduct of some Of its members
After some time and much persuasion, the
Speaker succeeded in dispensing the excl.
ted throng, in front of his desk, and induc.
ipg the beligerent parties to resume their
seats. 1t is worthy Of note, as showing
the pluck ef the men, that the last man