Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-10-17
THE OLD MAN ELOQUENT.
(From the New York News.

On the opening of the Twenty sixth Con-
gress, 10 December, 1889, in consequence OF a
twofold delegation from New Jersey, the House
was unable, for some time, to complete Its Or.
gauizatioD, and presented to the country and
the world the perilous and discredltable aspect
of the assembled representatives of the people
unable to form themselves into constitutional
body. On first assembling, the House has no
officers and the clerk Of the preceding Con
gress, acts, by usage, az chairman OF the body
till Speaker is chosen. On this occasion,
after reaching the State of New Jersey, the
acting clerk declined to proceed in calling the
roll, and refusedt to entertain any OF the motions
which were made for the purpose OF extrlcatlpg
the House from its embarrassment. Many OF
the able aud most judiclouS MEMBERS had ad-
dressed the House ln vain, and there was moth
ing but confusion and disorder 10 prospect.
The fourth day opened, and still confusion
was triumphant But the hour of disenthra.
ment was at hand, and a scene was presented
which sent the mind back to those days when
Cromwell uttered the exclamation, Sir Harry
Eaue woe uoto you, Sir Harry Vane !! and
10 an instant dispersed the famous Rump Par
lament
Mr.. Adams, from the opening of this scene
of confusion and anarchy, had maintained a
profound silence. He appeared to be engaged
most of the time 10 writing. 10 common
observer he seemed to be reckless OF every
thing around him; but nothing, not the slightest
incident escaped him. The fourth day OF the
struggle had now commeoced Mr.. Hugh Ii.
Garland, the clerk was directed to Gail the roll
again.
He commenced with Maine, as was usual 10
those days. and was proceeding toward Massa-
chusetts. | turned and saw that Mr.. Adams
was ready to get the floor at the earliest mo-
meut possible. His keen eye was riVeted on
the clerk; bis hands clasped the front edge OF
his desk, where he always placed them to as
slss him 10 rising.
New jersey" calculated Mr.. Hugh H.
Garland, land the clerk has to repeat
that"
Mr. Adams sprang to the floor.
Il rise to interrupt the clerk y was his first
ejaculation.
"Sllence silence y resounded through the
hail. Hear him-hear him!' "Hear what
be has to say! Hear John Quincy Ad.
ams' we're the unanimous CALCULATIONS ou all
sides.
In an instant the most profound silence
reigned throughout the hall-you might have
heard leaf of paper fall in any part OF lt-and
every eye was riveted on the venerable Nestor
of Massachusetts. He paused for moment !;
and, having given Mr. Garland wltherlpg
look, he proceeded to address the mu'tltue
'It was not my intention, said he, Ito take
apy part 10 these extraordinary proceedings. |
had hoped that this house would succeed 10 or
ganizipg itself; that Speaker and clerk would
be elected, and that the ordinary business OF
legislation would be progressed IN. This Is not
the time or place TO discuss the merits OF the
conflicting claimants for seats from New ersey;
that subject belongs to the House of Represen-
tatives which, by the Constitution, is made the
ultimate arbiter Of the qualification OF its mem
bers But what spectacle we here present
We degrade and disgrace ourselves we degrade
and disgrace our constituents aud the country.
We do not and cannot organize; and why Be-
cause the clerk of this House, the mere clerk,
whom We create, whom we employ, and whose
existence depends upon our will, usurps the
throne, and sets US, the representatives, the
yice-regents of the whole American people, at
defiance and holds us n contempt? And what
is this clerk of yours2 Is he to suspend by his
mere negative, the functions Of government,
aud put au end to this Congress? He refuses
to call the roll 1t is 10 your power to compel
him to call it, if he will not do it voluntarily,
lIiere he was interrupted by member who
said that he was authorized to say that compul-
sion could not reach the clerk, WHO had avOwed
that he would resign rather than call the State
of New jersey "Well, sir, let him reslgn,
continued MIR. Adams, land We may possibly
discover some way by which We can get along
without the aid of his all powerful talent, learn
ing and genius. II we cannot organize IN any
other way-it this clerk of yours will DOT con
sent to our discharging the trusts contided to
us by our constituents-t let US initiate the
example of the Virginia House of Burgesses,
which, when the colonial Governor Dlnwlddle
ordered it to dsperse, refused to obey the
imperious and insulting mandate; and, like
men-
The multitude could not contain or repress
their enthusiasm any longer, but saluted the
indignant speaker with loud and deatenlng
cheers, which seemed to shake the capitol TO
its ceuter. The turmoil, the darkness, the
very chaos of anarchy" which had for three
successive days pervaded the American Con
gress, was dispeled by the magic, the tails
manic elcquence Of single man; and once more
the wheels of government and legislation were
put in motion.
Having by this powerful appeal brought the
yet unorgauzed assembly to a perception OF Its
hazardous position, be submitted a motion re-
quiring the acting clerk to proceed to call the roll
This and similar motions had already been made
by other members. The difficulty was, that the
acting clerk declined TO entertain them Accord
inpy, MIR. Adams was immediately interrupted
by burst of voices demanding. How shall
the question be pul?' who will put the ques
tion?' The voice of Mr. Adams was heard above
the tumult: II intend to put the question my
self!" That word brought order out of chaos
There was the master mind: =
AS soon as the multitude had recovered itself
and the excitement of irresponsible enthusiasm
had abated, MIR. Richard Barnwell Rhettt OF
South Carolina leaped upon one OF the desks
waved his hand and exclaimed. ;,
Il move that the Honorable John y. Adams
take the chair of the Speaker OF this house aud
ohciate as presiding officer till the House be or,
ganizcd by the election of its constitutional Of
fcers As many as are agreed to this will say ay
those"
He had not an opportunity to complete the
sentence-"those who are not agreed will say no ;,
for the Universal, deafening, laundering AYE
responded to the nomination.