Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-02-07
PUGILIsTIC LEGISLATION.

The enforcement Of arguments by means OF tne
fist is rapidly becoming the favorite mode OF rea-
soning, among those dignifed assemblies through
out the land whose business it is to make laws tor
their less distinguished fellow citizens. Some mem
bers of the Common Council Of New York, In the
ardor of debate, recently exchanged inkstands,
which were made to travel with the velocity OF rock
cts, and were probably very effective and striking
arguments Certain Aldermen OF Phladelphla'
audably anxious to make their debates as interest
ing as those of New York, got upa trough and
tumble" by which they have gained great deal OF
reputation as powerful reasoners. The Virginia
Legislature has also evinced desire not to be be-
hind the times. In the hall which once echoed the
voices of ofJEFFERsoN, HENRY and RANDOLPH, the
dull monotony of Legislation has lately been en-
vened by the exciting vicissitudes of regular fist
and skull fight. Other instances Of this intensely
thrilling kind of eoquence could probably be found
by close examinations of our exchanges, but these
are sufficient to exemplfy the war-ike spirit ofthe
age.
1t might have been supposed that the expert
ence of a four years war would have quenched all
thirst for the stern joys ofconfic especially among
those dispassionate and thoughtful sages who are
generally selected to grace the halls Of legislation
This, however, would seem to be mistake. In
olden times warriors were accustomed to keepallve
the memory of their deeds upon the tented field,
by means of mimic representations OF them IN sea-
sons of peace In like manner, the "choice and
master spirits of the age" appear to delight In re-
producing, for the entertainment OF their constlt-
uents, the interesting combats Of the past. Sotar
as heard from, these carpet knights have sustain
ed no farther damage than broken nose or slight
" fractured skull, and they are more than compen-
sated for these triaing injuries, by the glory thus
acquired. The practical influence Of these tascna-
ting relaxations from tolsome abors, will be to In
duce electors to choose representatives tor their
weight and activity, and not for their brains, as
was once the case No man used to like to hear OF
his representative having been used up in debate,
nor will it, in future, be any more pleasant to learn
that he was whipped Of course, then, the solid
men will be in demand for vacancies in high places
Congress has not yet done her share ofthe knock
down and drag out style Of oratory, though its mem
bers show an honorable desire to commence, as they
abuse one another in no limited terms. The chief
hindrance to the full enjoyment Of all the luxures
peculiar to similar assemblies, is the absence Of
Southern members. IF they will only admit these,
speedy and thorough stirring up of the House
may be expected for southern representatives
have been so long deprived of the pleasure of ex-
ercisng their muscles that the terms ''iar,"
''scoundrel, &C., which sofrequently occur in Con-
gressiona discussions, will be hailed by them with
the 10y of the old war-horse that snueth the battle
afar off.