The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1860-01-23
Chlyalry anted-The Wager of
Battle.

Chlyalry anted-The Wager of
Battle.
Those gentlemen who are occupying sofas in
gorgeous hall in the Capital Of the Nation
which proclaims itself the freest on earth talk
too much. ~
There are often some craven spirits who get
into ball Fairgrounds where the game of
"shinny" is going on. Such we have ever
found to be ill.adapted to the place. This
leads US to observe that the true policy for
those who don't relish licks on their shins 10
not to play shinny. Some fifty members of
Congress allowed themselves 10 DO trepanned
into an unwise Endorsement of an electioneer-
ing pamphlet which was gotten up and desis s6sd
to be used to diminish the success in the mp
preaching canvass Of the Presidential candi-
date to be supported by voters Of the Southern
States. They took a prominent--very exposed
position in the game Of political shinny.
Thoy play this spirited game on both sides,
and each one should shinny on his own side.
Having entered the ground these gentlemen,
finding where they are, should either slide out
or stand up-eithor retire from the ring or
fight it out. One portion of tho gamesters
bluser about the grounds, as saucy as can be,
threatening all kinds Of trouncing to the other
party. This talk, talk, threat, threat, making
mouths, &c., has been carried on longer than
Western ball-players would have stood in our
boyhood time: some coats would have been
taken of, sleeves rolled up many words, in
deed, would not have passed, but regular
set-tO would have taken place. Anew fashi6n
of noses would have set in; few Of the sauc-
est would have gone home to got rotten apples
to place on their eyes; and the game would
have gone on with remarkable spirit at once,
each side having some sense of manliness to
bs proud Of. Busthis whining, dodging, tax
ing insults aud no fighting, is q tame, triaipg
business. Even Congress of women would
have had a fight before this time, and after
tho scolding and scratching went on with their
work.
Congressmen refuse to organize, strangely
prssuming that the duty of saving the coun-
try devolves upon thom. They aro very much
mistaken. The peOple-"wo, the peo ple"-
made the Constitution, and are competent to
preserve 1t.
Wo don't care whom you select as Speaker
you are not going to cheat us with bluster.
1t does not depend upon few Con-
gresSmen strutting in their brief authority,
whether the people shall entertain such and
such opiniens, or choose man from the North
or the South for President--no party, no ma
jority, no section has any right to presume
that it can do any unjust thing. This Ameri.
can people--the sensible people Of the States
North or South-are determined to do and ex-
act even handed Justice.
We speak for Western people and Western
members--dcn't be spaniels-be men gen
s'ous, bravs-fghtng men.
IT seems that the desks have been removtd
from the Hall Of Representatives just in time,
and Gtly for the purpose to which we propose
- put the open space. The Helpers and
A Nti-Helper's have talked enough. Now Jet
us have the wager Of battle--a method abol-
ished in England forty years ago.
The tenant in writ of right offors to prove
his right by the body of his champion. He
throws down his glove as gage or pledge,
and thus wages or stipulates battle with the
champion Of the demandant, who, by taking
up the glove, accepts the challenge. Tho
champions, armed with batons, enter the lists,
and taking each other by the hand, each
swears TO the justice Of the cause of the party
for whom ho appears; they then fight till the
stars appear, and if tho champion Of the ten
ant can defend himself till that lime, his cause
prevails.
Now, let us see some proof Of pluck. We,
Of the West, don't want a Speaker from our
section fthe country, unless ho can defend
his cause bravely-6ght for it, allow of no
insults. Let us have a night session. Let
Sherman enter the lists and if he can't "Ggbt
till the stars appear" let his opponent take
possession of the Speakers chair, five have
DO Western chvalry, We ought to have no
Western Speaker.