Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-20
A Passage at Arms

"a usage 81 Armh
On Friday last, the Loan Bill was considered
and discussed in the House of Representatives
The debate was made somewhat attractive by
q spat between those two refined and polished
wits, THADDEUs STEVENS and long JOHS Went
WORTH. This encounter attracted much atten-
ton, and was much remarked upon by the
Washington letter writer's. The gruf old
Pennsylvania leader has 50 long lorded it over
the House that he is greatly feared BY his fell
lOw-members. His lash is dreaded, and it is
seldom that any one is vsloroIs enough to con-
tradict or even to question him. The sudacity
displayed by Mr.. WENTWORTH in undertaking
to enter the lists with him, has made the Hi
nois member somewhat Of hero. He is re-
garded as those dancing knights we're regarded
who assailed dragons, and Kissing and fiery
serpents in Z" the brave days of Old"
1t is encouraging to know that there is, at
least, one man in Congress who has plucked up
courage enough to take a tilt at the dragon
from Pennsylvania. These two cOmbatants are
men Of the same type-cOarse, rough and I'M
couth. They care little, if they know any
thing, about the proprieties Of life and the de-
corums of debate. A contest between twosuch
men resembles a contest between black gum
and thunder" The reporters were at unusual
pains to furnish full details. They evidently
felt that they were contributing an enduring
page to the parliamentary annals Of the coun-
try. We extract the account of this passage
at arms:
Mr.. wentw0rh-would you have specie payment
tomorrow
Mr.. Steyeus-If could have specie payment TO-
morrow without arrangement; II il were to dersngt
the business Of the country, would postpone II.
/ could have il without that arrangement would
have il tomorrow.
Mr.. WentwOrth-How long will it be before you
will have specie payment (Laughter.) Will you
compromise on one yearl Shouts Of laughter)
Mr.. Stevens-NO, sir; nor two years. England,
after her great war with Napoleon, ending in 1915,
did notreturn 70 specie payment till the latter part
Of 1922.
Mr.. Garfield stated that he thought the law there
was 10 have gone into operation on the LIST Of Janu
airy, 1928. They had practically returned to specie
payment in the Spring Of 1921.
Mr.. Stevens-Yes; for small sums Do gentlemen
expect when Great Britain, with all the commerce
Of the world, was unable TO resume specie payment
for eight years after the conclusion of that war and
then did il by such gradual legislation that there
Of man TO resume specie payment here in q sin.
gle day. But pass this law and the day Of specie
payment is far distant, indeed.
Mr.. Wentworth-The gentleman and are acting
together now. Undressing Mr.. Stevens) You
know more than all of Us put together (Lsughter.)
Just state to this House fairly and canddly whether
if We follow you, you can lead us to specie payment
Shouts Of laughter, and whether you would, If you
could. Now, fair play.
Mr.. Stevens-My friend need not appeal to me a.
aiRepublicAn. know no party on this question.
Seriously, all / can say is, that If | believed we
could resume specie payment within month with
out breaking down manufacturers and oppressing
the people would, il | had the power, order that
every bank in the country, and the government IL
self, should resume specie payment
Mr. wentworth-But suppose Mr.. McCulloch
could do it
Mr.. Steyens-If he could, would give him great
credit.
Mr. Wentworth believe he can, therefore shall
vote for the bill
Mr.. Steyens-Ny friend from Illinois is honest,
and has faith like two grains Of mustard seed
UaughteE)
Mr.. Wentworth have followed you on the mig
ger question. Shouts Of laughter.)
Mr.. Stevens-And shall be very glad to follow my
friend from Illinois.
Mr.. Wentworth don't want you to follow me.
want dollar for dollar will you give US specie
payments
Mr. Stevens-I have said that / would if | could.
Mr. Wentworth-well, Mr.. McCullooh will do 1t.
Mr. Stevens will not 60 for giving 10 any man
the power contained in this bin. l would hardly
entrust IL to my friend Wentworth himself.
Mr. Wentworth-Well, trusted you on the negro
question and want you to trust me on finance.
Play fair Laughter)
The scene between Messrs Stevens and Went.
worth was greatly enjoyed by the House. Few
members were in their seats, but were standing in
the and in the aises, in the vicinity Of the two
principal actors applauding and encouraging them.
The hour Of four and a half having arrived, the
House took q recess till ", P, NJ
This is put forth as a high specimen of the
parliamentary wit of these degenerate days.
In one sense only is il attic-that which refers
to the uncommon stature of the member from
Illinois, who stands about six feet six in his
stockings. In any other sense it is common
and puerile. Such a passage at arms in the
British Parliament, or in the United States
Congress Of a former and better period, would
have been felt as feeble and notifying ex-
hibition. We search in vain through it for
classical wit, for humOr, piquancy, attic salt.
1t is coarse, pointless, almost stupid
Yet we are pleased at the evidence it furnishes
that Mr.. STEVENS cannot hereafter expect to
have everything his own way-that there is
one man, at least, in Congress, Of his own
stamp, and in his own party, who has pluck
enough to question and oppose him. Others
will soon be emboldened to follow the example
set by Mr.. WENTWORTH, and there is some
likelihood that the Pennsylvania member will
soon find himself dealt with like any common