The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-04-05
A Scene in the Senate.

many remarks in Washington at the time Of its
occurrence. II was not our good fortune to have
heard the whitening reply Of the patriotic
Senator from Tennessee to Senator Lane, having
left the Senate gallery, wearied with the monot-
ony ofLane, and disguised with his reasonable
utterances, some time before Mr. Johnson COM
mcnced. From what we heard Of the matter
we have no doubt the occurrence Is " true
to the life" It was said, with how much
truth we cannot tell, that the " stentorian
voice " that called for Three cheers for the
Union," was the property Of stalwart son OF
Dirigo State, whose love for the Union and for
Republicanism, responding to the patriotic ex-
pressions Of the Senator of Tennessee, broke
over conventional forms, and was reckless OF
legislative rules on this occasion. As we heard
the story, the galleries where the word was
given, seemed to be actuated by common inn
pulse, and despite Of all rules, respondent the
call in loud and tumultuous cheering.
1t was our good fortune to be present In the
gallery during the day and night sessions OF
the Senate, ut the close Of the late Congress.
Ii was during this time that the various COM
promise measures, that have occupied 80 large
q share Of public attention the past winter.
came up, and provoked one Of the stormiest
debates which ever took place in that body.
The debate was opened on Friday noon, before
il closed on Monday, by Joe Lane Of Oregon,
who, in one of the prosiest speeches ever in
flicted on public body, consumed five mortal
hours, in defense of the South and Southern
principles, or Breckinridgeism, paying partic-
ular attention to Senator johnson OF Tennessee,
whom he stigmatiled rs unfaithful to the Sec
ton he (Johnson) represented, and false to
those principles which he had supported in the
recent campaign. Lane had no sooner COM
menced, than Senators began to leave the Cham
Der, and visitors hurry from the galleries:
Mason from Virginia, alone LETT his chair, and
took an empty seat directly in front and very
near Lane, who stood in the rear OF the outer
most circle of desks, with pile OF books and
manuscripts on the desk by his side. The gray
headed traitor doubtless inflicted this punish
mcnt upon himself, 10 encourage Lane in his
apostacy but IL was too much for even him,
for in ten minutes he, too, was gone. A few
Senator's still remained in the Chamber, but
these were either engaged in writing or in con-
yeration so that the Senator from Oregon
addressed empty benches. The confusion was
SO great, that il was with difficulty that the
dull, harsh and monotonous speaker could be
heard But Lane still kept on, now turning
his long, lank, lean body and small, sharp-fea-
tut ed face in one direction and then in another;
and finally taking up from his desk sheet after
sheet of manuscript. from which he read, or
appeared to read, part Of his speech. Hour
after hour passed, Senator after Senator came
in, but still Lane sawed the air, and drawled
forth what was supposed to be speech. The
n
galleries grew tired, and, here and there, men
vented their indignation in terms which grated
upon the ear. But the end of the speech was
at last reached, and everybody felt relieved.
Lane had no sooner sat down, than Andrew
johnson, of Tennessee, rose to reply. Senators
hurried to their seats newspapers, books and
pens were laid down conversation ceased the
galleries, by this time crowded in anticipation
of reply, were hushed every eye was on the
Senator, who had risen about mid way Of the
democratic side, surrounded rs ii were with
traitors, who CRASHED their teeth in anger, to
find treason condemned in their household.
There, half turned round, 50 as to face Lane,
stood johnson, the intrepid and patriotic Sena-
tor from Tennessee. Considerably above the
average height, but with well-proportioned
frame and physique which gave evidence OF
n {" sound mind in a sound body, q full, round
genial but determined face, q keen, penetrating
heavy, short, black hair slightly sprinkled with
gray-his was form which would have any
where attracted attention and commanded adj
miration. IL needed but moments glance to
convince the observer that he possessed the
iron will of jackson, and the frmness and ten
acty Of purpose requisite to battle against the
schemes OF the Seeessionists. The history OF
the intrepid Senator, who thus almost singly
resisted the treason Of the democratic associates
Is q strange and an eyenttul one. Left an or
phan at an early age, without property and
without friends, he was bound apprentice TO q
tailor, whom he served seven years. lie never
attended school day In his life, and painfully
taught himself To read by perseyering Efforts
after his daily labor ut the shop board. At
the age OF twenty he married, and his wife
taught him to write and cipher. Within TWO
years he was chosen MayorO Greenyill, where
he had settled after removing from his native
State of North Carolina, and five years later he
was elected to the Legislature. In 1913, ut the
age of thirty-hye, he went to Congress, where
he remained ten years, when he was elected
Governor Of Tennessee and after filling the
office for two years, he was chosen Senator
of the United States in 1857.
Such was the history and the character of the
man who had bearded the lion Of Secession in
his own den, and by his heroic and patriotic
conduct given himself name and fame which
will live when such traducers as Lane shall
have been forgotten. Commencing in low
but clear and we'll modulated tone of voice, he
addressed himself at once to the charges which
the Senator from 0rigon had made against him,
gradually warming as he progressed, and
throwing heart and soul into the great subject
which animated his effort that Of the Union
until the galeies forgot the time and place,
and broke forth in repressed applause. which
was promptly repressed by the chairman, MIR.
Polk, of Missouri. We never can forget the
avalanche of sarcasm and scorn which he pour
ed upon poor Lanes head in view Of the fact
that he (Lane), Northern Senator, represent.
Ing a Northern constituency, had undertaken
TO reproach him (Johnson), q Southern Sena-
tor, representing southern constituency, born
and bred amid Slavery, for want OF faithful.
ness 10 the peculiar institution, And then how
remorsclesslyhe stripped from him the covering
with which he essayed to conceal his political
nakedness. The Senate and the galleries chuck
lei and nodded approyingly rs they saw the
prince OF doughfaces thus flayed alive and
even laughed outright when johnson, in reply
TO Lanes charge that he was disappearing
his constituents, asked who ii was that!had
been rejected by an outraged people, and whom
no more forever
"a traitor traitor - repeated johnson
n half.a-dozen times, in q sarcastic tone of
voice, referring to Lanes charge against him |;
concluding with reading the article Of the Con-
stitution defining treason; and then, pointing
his finger to Lane, Wigfall, and Mason, he
scornfully added "if the gentlemen will tell
me who who have abetted and advised the seiI-
ure of the forts and other property Of the U.
4. Government, who now encourage resistance
10 the Federal laws, who talk, even in this
body, of that glorious Union to which We owe
so much, being foreign government. who
have substituted for the stars and stripes
palmetto or q. pelican flag, IL you will point
out TO me such men, will tell you who the
TRAITORS are and "by the Eternal, " were
placed in authority, ere the sun went down on
another day, would hang the villains who
now threaten the existence Of the best Govern
ment that the sun shone on, higher than ever
Hannah swung" The audience in the gallery
could hardly restrain the feelings Of sympathy
and satisfaction which were pent up within
their bosoms and in spite Of an admonition