Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1864-04-30
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
HIS ELECTION By THE HOUSE Oh REPREsENTATIyEs.
THRILLING SCENE.


purpose to NEEDLE but it was my lot to witness
The issue of the contest, when it came to a head,
and was decided, blow for blow, On the high
places of the field The hall of the House of
Representatives. exhibited on that eventtul day,
such spectacle as has never been witnessed III
this country, such as the world never saw
There being three candidates for the Presidency,
and neither of them having received the consti-
tutional majority giving him title to the office,
that crisis had arrived which, in all other coun-
tries has been decided by the sword but which,
having been contemplated as possible by that
band of inspired men INSPIRED they surely were,
with wisdom not their own who framed our
happy government, has been provided for by the
peaceful expedent of taking the choice out of
the immediate hands of the people, and commit
ting it to their representatives, acting, not one
amalgamated body, but in their separate capaci-
ty as the delegation of the respective States );
each united delegation casting one vote.
As the day appointed for the election approach
ed, the excitement of the public mind became
intense. Washington was crowded. Nightly
caucuses and most anxious caucuses, and the
most anxious calculations, occupied the leading
men of each of the three parties. So evenly
were they balanced, that after the most exact
scrutiny had been gone through with after the
probable vote IF each individual man had been
set down with as much caution and as if
the whole result depended on his individual suf-
frage, it was concluded the result would very
possibly turn on a single vote and when the
morning of the decision had actually come, il
was generally understood that that vote in
the hands of a wealthy upright, amiabe, but..not
very firm or vigorous member of the New York
delegation. He had given his promise to vote
for Mr.. Adams but the eager, agitating anxious
question was whether he would remain firm to
that pledge.
The hall was prepared for the process Of the
h1-,N tlar
delegations, each having its separate table, in
the semi-circular open space in front Of the
Clerks table. Before the hour for taking their
seats had arrived, they were 10 be seen walking
about in little groups, earnestly convcrsNg in n
low tone, every mind being occupied in the re-
suit Of the election. Each party was sanguine
of success Bets were staked TO large amount
The most confident predictions were uttered
and by some of the excited and most unscrupu-
lous pnrtizans without, most ferocous threats
were uttered. A second Missouri contest was
expected. None counted on less than forty or
fifty balotings; some said the election would
occupy weeks, perhaps months while others
went so far MS to say that no choice would be
made; but Congress would break up in a row.-
To patriotic mind it seemed if MI the evil
powers who sought the ruin of free government
had gathered together at Washington. and were
hurting through the troubled air Many persons
carried concealed weapons, as expecting some
violent outbreak. The har-rooms of hotels and
eating-houses were crowded with guests, whose
aspect hoded no good TO the country, or the
peaceful progress of its government MANY
heart that loved American regulated freedom
trembled in view Of untried experiment now for
the first time to be attempted. Amidst augurics
the day of election came. Every avenue leading
to the Capitol was filed with people all whose
faces looked III one direction, and were filed
with one common expression of grave and inter-
ested curiosity Into the galleries which sur
round and overlook the Hall of Representatives
not an additional human being could by any pos
sibility be forced, and the stair-cGscs. quite out
of sight and hearing of vhatwas passing thin
were crammed with watching multiudes hoping
against hope to gain, by some good chance, or
by dint of patience and physical strength
glimpse at least, of the exciting scene
1t had been proposed in debate. on the da1
previous, during the election that the galleries
of the hall be closed as they could at best &C.
commodate but handful Of those who were
anxious to witness the scene. BIT Mr.. Duf'ie
(then prominent member of the House warm
~ denied the right Of Congress to exclude the
people from Witnessing, if they so pleased the
acts of their own representatives. in matter
especially so vitality affecting them ALL And
when it was suggested that the admission of so
great and so excited a crowd would inevitably
be productive of disorder, he spranC up. and in
tones which echoed through the hall and galleries
he pledged himself for - the orderly department
of the PEOPLE while looking such a scene
His appeal was too popular to be successfully
resisted, and the doors were thrown open accord
ingly. 1t was an imposing spectacle. The cir
cular lobby outside the bar, land into which
none are admitted but privileged persons whose
right is specified by law well Ms the logic or
open space behind the columns in rear Of the
Speakers seat were filed with members of the
Senate, ex-Governors Of States, military and
1O1ron .
ceiyed votes of thanks from Congress for mer-
torious service) foreign ministers md their A.
tdches, Judges of the Supreme Court-in A word
with all whose envied distinction it was TO mass
the vigilant scrutiny of the door keepers. now
doubly viglant and all upon the qai rire 4
restless movement of the members within the
bar, and general murmur, like the alarmed
hum of bees when their hive is disturbed gave
token of the state of feversh anxiety which pre-
vailed throughout the body. Could any reveal
ing spirit have opened to view the hopes, the
fears the boiling passions, which tumul;uated
within those fierce bosoms how would the pain
full interest of the scene have been yet further
heightened in intensity
AT length, the Speakers hammer fell. 4 dead
silence instantly prevailed, and the respective
delegations assembled and took their seats around
the tables prepared for them
1t was my privilege, from an elevated position
on the right of the chair, 10 enjoy fnll view of
All the groups, and have preserved q rude and
nasty sketch which ! caught of their positions
while the hrst ballot was proceeding Each del
egauon appointed one OF their number to act as
chairman, collect their votes and report the re-
suit sun The delegations voted by pluralities. u
whoever IN each, received the most votes. was
reported as the choice of that delegation There
were ,wenty-four of these groups ; and when the
woes mad been gathered in each they were cali
Gu upon 10 vote, which they did in succession.
r'ea ,oce' commencing with Maine. The silence
was IKE mat OF a sepulcher Mems breath was
SUSPENDED as State after State uttered lis voica
anu y, can ever forget the moment when tbe
speaker, standing up in his place declared in =
c,ear, sonorous voice, that seemed 10 nierca
tnrongn bone and marrow that Jorx o..
ADAMS having received a majority of the votos
cast, was duly elected President of the rri.od
states Tor four years from the 4th dav of March
next ensuing p u Aarch
Ihen rose such shout from the galleries a.
seemed to hit the very dome of the hall Mr.
McDnfie (whose candidate had been defeated
whose eager hopes were blasted, and whose per,
sonal pledge for the good behavior of the Assem-.
bly, was remembered by ALL, sprang in much ex-
cjtement from the ground, and in voice that