The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-04-18
The Bull by the Horns.

The special Washington correspondent OF the
n. Y. Tribune, gives the following graphic ac-
count OF the scene in the House on Thursday,
when the Southern members undertook to pre-
vent Owen Lovejoy of Illinois from speaking.
We recommend tho subject to the attention Of
the Pictorials.
In the ardor of his argument Lovejoy was
approaching the line which divides the Repub.
lican from the Democratic side of the
Chamber. He was uttering severe philippics
| against slavery as a system. He was indorsing
and enforcing John Wesley's declaration, that
it il the sum of all viainies" lie was neither
attacking, nor alluding to, persons, but only to
the institution" Doubtless he was using
sharp words, and was looking straight at the
Chivalry. And thereupon, Roger A. Pryor rose
and walked rapidly down one Of the aises, and
confronting Lovejoy, and standing close to him,
said in substance, that he would not allow him
to utter sach language. At that precise in
slant LovejOys right arm was lifted on high.
and the fist clenched, being il the act of en-
forcing his argument with an emphatic gesture.
In the the twinkng of an eye, Mr.. John 4.
Potter Of Wisconsin confronted Pryor, and said,
in substance, TO him, "LoveJoy shall speak +!
For eight weeks we listened to your stuff, in
silence, and now We intend to say what We
please. Lovejoy shall speak" Pryor made
no remark.
In the briefest possible space of time, there
was a rush to the spot from all parts of the
House, until some forty members were in the
area, compacted together, and all talking vocifer.
Ousiy, and gesticuinting violently, in the midst
of whom stood LOvejoy, with arm still extended,
his mind doubtless intent upon the spot where
he stopped interrupted by patriarch Pryor, and
seemingly waiting for the tumut TO subsde, so
that he could complete his unfinished gesture,
aud go on with his outline sketch of the black
twin"
The most conspicuous of the patriarclIs who
rushed TO the vindication of their ebony darling,
were, in addition to Mr.. Pryor, Messrs Barks-
dale, Burnett, and Crawford. II injustice is
done by this classification, the error will be cheer
fully corr ccted.
Of the Roundheads who wen, down the
promptest to the defense of Mr.. Lovejoy, after
Mr.. Potter, perhaps Mr.. Kellogg of Illinois, who
made the Chamber ring with the declaration
that his colleague should be heard, Mr.. Mward
of Pa, Mr.. Farnsworth of H., Mr. KENYON and
Mr.. Beae OF \. Y, Mr.. Edgerton, and Mr.
TOmpkins of Ohio, should be mentioned, though
others, doubtless, deserve equal credit for the
readiness they displayed to vindicate freedom Of
speech on the floor of the House a, any hazard.
The scene lasted some FIVE minutes-a long
time in a row. The Chairman piled his mallet
till be grew weary, and shouted Order" I'LL
he grew hoarse. Ia despair, he summoned the
Sergeant-atArms. As is usual in such exigen-
cies, that funetonary could not be found. A
substitute finally appeared and approached the
brawling crowd, bearing aloft the mace, the en-
blem OF authority and dignity, which in this in
stance consists of black biudgeon some three
feet long, having a smaller metallic eagle with
spread pinion-, and looking rather chicken
hearted. perehed on its top. But neither the
patriarchs, with Pryor at their head, who were
shouting at the top Of their voices, that Lovejoy
should not abuse the black relic; nor the Round.
heads, with Potter as their organ, who were
declaring in stentorian tones that Loveioy
should express his opinion respecting said rel
ic, paid the slightest regard 10 Washburns NAL
let or the Sergeant's mace.