Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-10-20
s'RecOrd.' Of the Me-. Serreaarx

One OF the best pieces of sarcasm We have
seen for some the is the following extracts
from an aftisle in the Republic of last April
from the Yen Of j. NJ. Edmuuis, now post
masts, of Washington:
In December, 1857, the Thirty Fifth Con-
gress assembled, there being Democratic ma
jorlty 10 both the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatlVes. The exciting topic then before the
country was as to the admission OF Kansas up-
der constitution which protected slavery, the
measure being urged by the President 10 his
annual message. The majority 10 each House
was under the control of the Southern leaders
who became violent 10 their abuse of the Re-
publican opponents Of the measure.
They sought to tdke advantage Of the sen.
tlment III the North against the dueug systeu,
thinking they could do so with impunity, as the
Northern Representatives would be deferred
from resort TO personal combat iu defence OF
their principles, some of them, as Sumner, Seward
and others, being known to be opposed, on
principle, to this mode OF conducting coatro-
versy. The assaults OF the violent Southern
leaders upon some of the abest and purest Re-
pubcans In the oeuate, known 10 be non com
batants, hoally became unbearable to SOME of
the less Scrupulous Republicans, until 10 the
midst OF one ut the most deuuucla DRY Trades
OF one OF the hre-eatsrs, there was noticud
little group OF the late y admitted Republic
cans 10 little side consultation on the floor of
the Seuate. Precisely what was said IL co.,
SultatloD is not known to the the writer, nor j.
1t likely that 1t will tranSpre during the life
time OF either of the three gentlemen engaged.
1t is, however known that the group was com-
posed ofSeuatorS Wade, Cameron and Chandler;
that it was agreed between them substantially
that the bust ness ofinsultug Republican Seua-
tors on the floor of the Senate had gone far
enough, and that it must cease. And further,
that 10 case OF any renewed iusorncc to any
other Republican Senator, OF the character
which had been practieed, it should be the duty
OF one OF the three to take up the quarrel aud
make 1t his own to the full extent of the code
to the death if need be- The compact was not
only made, but signed and sealed, and remains
sealed to this day. Its import, however, be-
came known, and the demeaDUr OF the South
ern tre-eaters, though sill violent aud disoyal,
soon after became courteous personally toward
Republican Senators.
They did, however, feel around little to
ascertain whether the whi>periugs as to the
lighting Senators could be relied Oh. They had
scheme to assault Senator Chandler ia the
street, but little inquiry as TO his strength
and skill led to its sudden abandonment. \
clustering Southerner took otfense at tho re
marks OF Senator Wade, who had said, in re.
latlon to statement made by him, that such
a statement would only come from liar or
coward. Ot course this could not be borne by
the hlgh-tooed cavalier, and his friend or agent
or Servtor called on Senator Wade, not with a
formal challenge, but to ascertain how Wade
would probably act 10 the event Of a challenge.
| = ",lo IL y:
agent, SO far as he became aware of his pur-
pose, be told him to tell he id old coward
that he dare not fight. This vas no, quite sat
lstacory; the agent or spy seemed anxious to
Know what kind Of weapons Wade would
choose 10 case OF a contest. o. learning this,
Wade said, rifles at twenty PAGES, with white
paper the size OF dollar plnued over the heart
OF each combatant, and tell him if | do not hit
the one on his breast at the first shot, he may
ire at me all day.
These inquiries seemed TO cure all further
desire on the part Of the chival,y for personal
ubats. Threats, however, continued to be
made OF street assaults and Gaming, generally
pointing to the more prominent of the non
CON batants in the Republican ranks.
Certain of the Republicans went thorough
~ armed all the time, aud these, tor weeks to-
gether, took turns 10 walking with their noa-
Deilgerent colleagues 70 and from the Capitol
to protect them from personal assault"
We don't suppose a bigger unecdote was
ever penoed-even by dependent official
Wade, Cameron, Chandler !!-protectors !
duehsts Oh Heaven defend Us! We don't
suppose three greatel-noD-comba ever
sat 10 Congress, or three who were held D
lower repute BY their fellow members of all
sections than the aforesaid trio Their acts
! speak louder than any words that can be writ
ten OF them, and by their acts they are known.