New-York tribune., 1877-05-03
7UE SOTTH CIGOLIN1 PCPG1H0N


The Columbia correspondence Of Ihe Chdr'es-
Ton Rcirs and Courier contains full particulars
OF the proceedings il the South Cafoiiia
Hons, of Representatives, when the mehlDcrS
VINO had acted with the now deiunct Dody
which recognized the Chamberlain Govern
mcnt appeared at the bar Of the House ana
by ahiect apologies Turecd themselves OF
" contpmpt." Although it seems to have
been enjoyed with something like savage
satisfaction by the Conservative mcn-
bers who insisted upon this condition
of admission, 1t could not have been for any
urprcjudiccd or thoughtful person very edi-
fying spectacle. In every case the last degree
OF humiliation was insisted upon, the most
complete apology cxGcted. The simple accept
apce OF the situation and recognition of the
present House as the legally constituted one,
which OF course contained by implication the
confession tnat the organization they
had abandoned was not legal, was not
deemed sufficient. Each one OF the
rccusants was held to the strlctest
construction Of the resolution describing hm
as il contempt and rcQuinnG an apology. No
one was allowed to offer explanation, juSi!l:ca-
lion, or defense of his preyicIfs action; the
atte.npt to disclaim any intention of wrong
doing WAS nOisily put down; nothing would
do but that each individual should come for
ward to the bar and confess that he had done
wrong knowingly and willIully, and crave the
pardon of the House for his unlawful conduct
The first person brought to bar said ad-
dressing the Speaker, "What | have done
believe to be right, but / am perfectly will
"ing to recognize you as the legal Speaker
" and this as the legal House Of Representa-
tiyes." This the Speaker would not accept,
because it contained no "cxpressIon OF regret
or pcnitence for his palpablc violation ol
claw" The confession of deliberate quit ana
humble petition for pardon were insisted upon
and after a time cXiortcd. lie then asked per
mission to speak for his colleagues, and IN
their behalf make the same admission
and apology. But that was not to
be thought of. The reputable gentlemen
who have just come into possession OF power
did not propose to lose any Of the rare sport
which this scene Of humiliation and disgrace
offered them. Each offender must appear at
the bar in person and publicly abase himself
i'm purgatOn OF his contempt. Nothing short
Of the pound of flesh w0uld answer. One
member said, eff am in contempt, ! hope !
will be pardoncd; - but they tolerated no IFS,
ana he hau 10 ci,'"H, !. " ''''i -, ~
tempt, "SA P'i"o"' ., .'...l,
IS "e,'IIpc" "' o'','7 ''''"'' ''''" WV
him is thus related:
,,',, ,Io st,,c, ,rHo srclLcr-,p,,o Won as, forgive
pc..,v Forrest-"I always axes forgiveness when
does wrosg" the speaker" Do you admit that You
have done wrong" Forrest" OF course, II is violate
fltf
I'c COM, ',.s . -. a., r ,,s man
i, ,.d N ti,is ,y.,. he must pur, his contempt
or leave" Forrest mucA moyod)-' say axes humble
pardon SIR
The correspondent describing the perform
ancc iudUlgCs in expressions OF satisfaction and
delight at the spectacle OF Illumination, anu
adds, " the show Tor the day having closed
"wlile thc crrins members were Illuminating
themselves. thc rest ol thh Mackey hcih"erS'
"whoSe names are not yet feachea' sat gloom
ely and silently III Their seats; ana as oau a.
it appeared to be to those vino IecanIed' II
was infinitely worse to those WHO uldh Sel
"a chance to eat dirt"
Now 'hiS IS the sort oi JiNg 'H4I Scf'eiy
needs comment. Ihe fictAe pants iiNri, al"
carries IT, lesson along. Ohe does hoJ ihe 10
think Of these respectable ana lht.iIiS'h' men,
the best men III inc o'a'e, II Is Su"-'I'n ""o
! boast Of gentle blood ana oU.I.de "hc h.Sh
/ sense OF personal Eoh'i' ana III 'ne c-h's!iIIc
yirtues-sitiing II Sta!" TO near Apologies rom
| a parcel ol Ioof Ignorant pln'N me" VINO '''
IS 1t possible That thefa can DE any hc"iihS i"I
lnSultCU i!gnif OF any IcI'dl'uioh '"l "'u'i"'"