The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-03-27
Two Nights, i'm the Senate.
HOW SENATORS LOOK AND TALK.

The editor of Harper's Weekly gives his
experience of two nights IN the reporters
gallery Of the United States Senate, at the
close Of the Thirty sixth Cooneress.
JOE LANE AND ANDY JOHNSON.
When I think Of that speech, and when I
remember that Gen. Lane was at one time a
probable candidate for the Presidency can
not find words to express my thanks to di-
vine providence for our escape. True, the
speech had its advantage. Ttgave rest to
the wearied reporters for the press, and en-
abled Senator's to write their letters undis-
turbcd. When it was done, Andrew John.
son, OF Tennessee, rose to reply. Mr.. john
son Is self made man. In his youth he
was a tailor's apprentice, and he learned his
letters from his wife, He is natural orator,
and as brave a man as lives. The author If
General Lanes speech attacked, with sar.
casm and sneer, the homestead bill, with
which Senator Johnson's name is connected
Johnson's reply was one Of the most clio
quent bursts ever heard in the Senate. re-
member, he said in substance, when, after
years Of rainful struggles. with the young
wife had brought from my native place IN
North Carolina, and the little family which
had grown up around US, | was enabled to
purchase small plot Of ground in Tennessee
and build cabin upon it which | could call
nv own I remember the feeling OF trl-
unph and exultation with which we looked
upon the poor little shed, and knew that at
last we had HOME OF OUR OWN. And then.
long years ago. made up my mind that, if
ever had the powor. every poor man, strur-
Cling as I was, should be enabled to obtain
q home-should have one spot of earth. how
ever small, one cabin, however rude and
scanty, which, in thelight of heaven and the
face of man, he should be able to call his own.
THREE CHEERS FOR THE UNION.
ANONYMOUS rustic in the galleries follow
ed this outburst but subSided in growl
from Senator Mason. Senator johnson con-
tinued, laying stripe after stripe scientifically
on the back Of poor General Lane. and final
" closing with magnificent eulogium on
the Union. On this the pent up feeling Of
the spectators could no longer be restrained.
A tremendous cheer arose. Senator Mason
instantly moved that the galleries b. cleared.
A few Kisses were heard; then a stentorinn
voice shouted, "TnREE CHEERS FOR THE
USIoSr' They were given with will =
Not only did the mems gallery shout, but tie
ladies screamed and waved their handker-
cniefs. Never, since the first meeting Of the
Senate did that body endure such an insult.
For some mcmen.s the din was overpower.
ing.
ssrhe sergeant alarms will clear the gal
leries = commanded the Char, fiercely.
It was easier said than done. There were
at least fifteen hundred excited men in the
galleries. For some moments il was queS-
tion whether the Senate would clear the gal
leries, or the galleries the Senate.
The fight was on the Seward-C -Corwin
amendment to the Constitution which had
already passed the House.
Night had fallen, and the Senate, after
soma opposition from Senator Mason rasum-
cd the debate on tho resolution. Senator
Push moved to strike out the words IAN
thorize, or" on the ground that they were
bad grammar.
PuGu's PART.
I am enough of grammarian to perceive
by Senator Pugh's speeches that he is him.
self no friend to Lindley Murray. Wheth",
his amendment would have improved the
grammar Of the resolution really know toe
little to say. Mr.. Pugh is the yourges
member of the Senate in more sense thar
one. He has an invincible tendency to ce
upon his legs-which are short Of the kind
like those of Mr. Douglas. But il his legs b.
short his tongue is long. He generally speaks
whenever tho President will let him. No
that he has anything to say. He seldom has
Perhaps the most useful office he ever per
formed in the Senate vas to read extract
Tor Senator Douglas during his great speec
on the Leoompton question. On this occa
sion words Of sense proceeded fom hi
mouth, and Senators listened. This une.
= a