The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-05-12

III OA0G1s
The Tactics OF the Radicals-Thsd Ste
VEINS and His Tongue.
In the old times of peace and plenty, whom
the present dominant faction was just strug-
Cling into existence, we used to hear great
deal about plantation manners and the bar
bsrism Of slavery. The debates in Congress at
vast quantity of ammunition. Whenever
Southern member became little violent in his
language all the abolition papers would harp
upon it as proof Of the demoralizing effects
Of the peculiar institution. With the philo-
sophie Sumner this was q favorite theme He
would turn it and twist 1t and squeeze every
drop Of eloquence and Of argument out Of it,
In the peculiar style which he mistakes for ora
tory and logic. Under the irritating influences
OF Sumner and the other reformers and aboli-
tionists affairs in Congress grew worse and
worse. Honorable members began to flourish
their fists and brandish spittoons and feel in
their ooattails for pistols and in their coat
collars for bowie knives. At this Pc
Rod Congressman was a walking arsenal.
He was afraid to sit down for fear he should
stab himself in some portion of his anatomy by
accident, and prudent people were afraid to
sit near him lest some of his weapons should
60 off and scatter death and destruction
around. He was as dangerous as box of
nitro-glycerine. When excited upon any sub
ject he would pick his teeth ferociously with a
large dagger, and shoot down the insolent
waiter who happened to bring him rye whis-
key for bourbon.
In these good old times, as our readers will
remember, Congress became the laughing-stock
of Europe. It was suggested that during a
heated debate sentinels ought to be posted
around the Capitol to warn outsiders to
keep beyond pistol shot. Our brethren from
the sunny South stalked about the floor of the
House breathing threatenings and slaughter
against all those who did not agree with them
in opinion. Members practised firing at mark
without taking their pistols out of their peck
cts, in order to be prepared for sudden emer-
gencies When an important vote was taken
each side stood to trims, and those who had no
other weapons ascertained that their inkstands
were handy and sharpened their penknives on
the soles of their boots. Challenges were fire.
quent, though duels were rare. Various at
tempts were made to scalp Barksdale, of Mis-
sissippi, whose life was saved by his wearing
wig Then Sumner was logged by Preston
Brooks for calling Senator Butler the Sancho
Panza of slavery. Afterwards Burlingame de-
sired to fight Brooks with rifles, but the latter
gentleman declined. At about the same period
Potter, of Wisconsin, invited Pryor, foolish
flre-eater, to an interview in a dark room with
couple of bowie knives; but Pryor also
backed down, on the ground that he preferred
to fight with some weapon that would not hurt
so much. Meanwhile all this rowdyism was set
down TO the account Of slavery, and thus it all
assisted to build up the anti-slavery party. So
by and by the republican party came into
power, the Southern members withdrew from
Congress, the rebellion began in earnest, the
fighting men went off to the wars, slavery was
abolished, and for awhile we had comparative
peace and quiet in the marble halls OF our ma
tional Legislature.
But now TINT the military part of the war is
over, and the battle for the Union has been
again transferred to Congress, what do we see
and hear? Was the barbarian of slavery as
illustrated by the Southern members any worse
than the barbarism Of anti-slavery as illustrated
by the radical members? Were Toombs and
his fire-eaters any more rowdyish than Thad
Stevens and his gang? Were Barksdale, Craig,
Pryor and Wigfall any more violent and out
rageous than Ben Wade, Ingersoll, Conl1ling,
Trumbull and Blaine? 1t is true that we have
not yet come to iisticuffs, pistol shooting and
displays Of bowie knives; but no one can say
at what moment this may begin. Honorable
members have already pretty thoroughly ex.
hausted the vocabulary Of hard words, and
after abuse come blows. Within short time
Congressman have declared themselves Gre
sponsible" for their language "here or else
where" which is equivalent 10 an invitation to
duel. Look at the belligerent demonstrate Is
Of Conkling and Blaine. Listen to the bias
phemy Of Ben Wade, the brutal rawlings
of Trumbull, the ISLANDERS which Ingersoll
was permitted to heap upon the Presi-
dent. Read the speech of Thad Stevens,
as reported in our columns yesterday.
Trumbull and Stevens have outrivalled Toombs
and Wigfall at their own game. No slave
driver ever cracked his whip in debete so loudly
as Stevens cracks his whip over the backs Of
both republicans and democrats. When Mr..
Stevens compared himself to Almighty God,
avowed his determination TO humiliate the
Southern people a like animals or felons," and
declared that they ought 10 be kept Z" in the
penitentary of hell, guarded by bayonets," he
went further than any fre-eater ever cared to
go. Yet there was no one to call him to order;
no one to resent this disgrace to the House,
and even the democratic members submitted to
be bullied into the support Of the radical plans.
The tongues Of Thad Stevens and Of Trumbull
are the lashes which drive the members before
them like a flock Of sheep. The tactics of the
radicals are to bully Congress and then to