The Cecil Whig., 1881-01-29


for David Wimot, votes for Mereditl
=. Gentry. votes for Horace Mann, an,
a number of scattering votes. The tel
lers announced that there was no choice
and the balloting was continued. 1a
after day, amid great and increasing eX
element. After the thirty-nirth ballot
Nh. Winthrop withdrew from the pro
tracted contest, expressing his belle
that the peace and safety OF the Uniol
demanded that an organization of som
sort should be effected without delay.
The Southern Wings who had oppose,
iIr. Winthrop were vehement and pas
sionate in their denunciation of til,
North. THE time has come" said Mr.
Toombs. his black, uncombed hair stand
ing out from his massive head as i
charged with electricity, his eyes glow
in. like Goals of fire, and his sentence
rattling forth like volleyS of musketry,-
"the time has come said he. "when
shall not only utter my opinions, bu
make them the basis of my political ac
ton here. | do not, then, hesitate t.
avow before this House and the country
and III the presence of the living God
that if, 10y your legislation, you seek t.
drive us from the territories of Caliior
MIA and New Mexico, and to abolish
slavery in the District Of Columbia, an
for diSunion: and if my physica! courage
be equal to the maintenance of my con
victions of right and duty | will devote
all | am and all ! have on earth to it.
consummation.'
These inilammatory remarks provoked
replies. and after heated debate Mr.
Duer, of New York. remarked that he
would never, under any circumstances.
vote to put a man in the Speakers chail
who would. in any event. advocate ol
sanction a dissolution of the Union.' This
brought dozen Southerners to theil
feet, with angry exclamations, and Mr.
Bayly, of Virginia, who was near Mr.
Due, said. There are no disunionists.
There arer exclaimed Mr.. Duer.-
Name one" shouted Mr.. Bayly. AT
that moment Mr.. Meade. of Virginia.
rose, and passed directly before Mr..
Duer, who pointed to him and shouted.
"There's one"' 1T is false!" replied
Mr.. Meade, angrily. ''You lie, sir!' re-
sponded Mr.. Ducr. in tones which rang
through the hall; and. drawing himself
up. he stood unmoved. while his political
friends and foes clustered angrily about
him, talking and gesticulating. Fortu-
nately, M Nathan Sergeant, who was
the Sergeant at-Arms, was in his seat,
and he Immediately came to the side OF
Mr.. Duer. bearing aloft the mace
which is the symbol of the authority of
the House. Quiet was restored and Mr.
Duer then apologizcd to the House for
ha"ing been provoked into the use of the
unparliamentary expression, but justified
himself by referring to a speech which
Mr.. Meade had just made and printed,
which contained disunion sentiments
Mr.. Meade promptly challenged Mr..
Duer. who showed no inGisposition to
fight: but with some difficulty friends
secured an amicab!c settlement of the
quarrel.
Finally, after three weeks of angry
rccrimination. it was voted that il plu-
rality should elect. and on the sixty-sec-
ond ballot Mr. Howell Cobb, of Georgia
having received 102 vote against 100
votes for Mr.. Winthrop, was declared
the Speaker of the House. lie did not
have that sense of personal dignity and
Importance which belonged to Sir John
FalStalf by reason of his knighthood.
but he displayed the same rich exuber-
ance of animal enjoyment, the same
loguish twinkle of the eye. and the same
Incidence which characterized the fat
knight
President Taylor's first and only mes
sage to Congress was transmitted on the
Monday following the organization of
the House. December 24th. and the print
cd copies first distributed contained the
sentence. 1--WE are at peace with all the
nations of the world, and the rest of
mandink. Other copies were soon
printed in which the corrected sentence
read, I'VE are at peace with all the
nations Of the world. and seek to MAIN
tain our cherished relations of amity
with them" The blunder caused much
diversion among the Democrats. and
greatly annoyed Colonel Bliss. who. as
the Presidents Private Secretary, had
superintended the publication Of the
message.
Meanwhile, Henry Clay had reappcar-
ed at Washington as Il Senator from
Kentucky. and occupied his old quarters
at the National Hotel. which belonged
to one of his many devoted friends. Mr.
Calvert, of Maryland. Although in his
seventy-third year. he was apparently
hale and hearty. His head. bald on the
top, was fringed with long iron gray
hair. his lofty forehead was arched and
expansive. his cheeks somewhat sunken,
his nose thin, and his wide mouth
wreathed in genial smiles He always
was dressed in black. and from a high
black satin stock, which enveloped his
long neck, emerged a huge white shirt
collar. which reach to his ears. He
mingled i'll society, generally kissing the
prettiest girls wherever he went: and he
enjoyed quiet game of cards in his own
room, with glass of toddy made from
Bourbon comfy whisky.
Az the commencement of the session
Mr.. Clay requested that he might be ex-
cused from service on any of the stand
Ing committees Of the Senate. and his
wish was granted. 1t was not long. how
ever before he evinced a desire to re-
enter the arena of debate. as a leader of
the Wing party, but not as follower OF
President Taylor. Presenting series OF
resolutions which would consolidate the
settlement OF the eight different ques-
tions involving slavery, then before Con.
gress. into what he expected would prove
a lasting compromise, Mr.. Clay moved
their reference to Il select committee OF
thirteen, with instructions to report them
in one bill. The committee was author
lied, but not without opposition, and Nv
Websters vote secured for Mr.. Clay the
craftsmanship. A general compromise
bill was speedily prepared, and the bat.