National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-12

sentation and in consequence Of this crowded
condition frequent quarrels generated into fierce
| conflicts. During night sessions many pugiilsuc
encounters took place between belligerent legisla-
tors, which reporters made no note OF, and, while
1t served to amuse and excite the occupants OF the
galleries, rarely disturbed the equanimity OF the
House
! The atmosphere of the hall, from its poor Venl-
lation and other causes was almost stiting; Wheh
| crowded it was simply unendurable. Preston
Brooks, the assaulter of Sumner, died from a vlo-
lent throat distemper contracted in the poisonous
atmosphere of the old Hall of Representatives
Even in John Quincy Adams time it waSdescribed
by him as 'the modern Black Hole of Calcutta
The peculiar odor fingered many months after It's
| final desertion.
THE OLD SENATE CHAMBER,
| now occupied by the United States Supreme Court,
has not lost any of its dignity or historic value.
The associations connected with it will always
make it a veneTated and hallOwed spot In the eyes
of the present generation and of others yet TO come
Websters famous speech in reply to Haynes, of
South Carolina, was made in this chamber. IL was
the first intellectual tilt between the North and
the South. The champion of State Rights and Sc
| cessiOn was overwhelmed by the grand and pa
triotic utterances of Massachusetts orator.
Here also occurred the exciting assault of Brooks
on Charles Sumner which did much to widen the
gap between the two opposing sections and bring
on the terrible strife of civil war. This old Senate
chamber also consecrates and preserves the
memory of the great triumvirate-as they were
called-Clsy, Webster. and Calhoun. These three
brilliant intellects welded potent power among
their associates seldom restricted by party ties.
A speech from Clay or Websterwas talismanic. OF
the effect and power of
CLAY's oRAToRY
mUch has been said and great deal written, but
the most vivid description fails to give an idea OF
his magnificent voice, his eloquent pauses, his Pc
culiar and impressive genuheXions The earnest
sincerity in his very utterance of" Mr.. President
at once enforced attention and commanded re-
spect; his musical and resonant voice perVaded
every nook and Granny Of the Senate chamber,
and, he warmed with his subject he never
failed in producing irresistible feeling Of kin
dred sympathy. On his fayorite topic, "The
Union: Its Indissolubility and Strength" lie was
simply sublime As he depicted the disastrous re-
suits that would follow disruption of the Union
the tone of his voice grew solemn and his listeners
became thoughtful and sad. When he referred to
the enemies of our beloved country, who were
eagerly striving to sound the knell of its liberties,
his hearers faces became dark with resentment
and angry excitement As he went on to portray
the earnest faith and loyalty of the people for that
self-same Union, every face Frightened into
proud confidence and hope; but when, carried
away by the intensity of his feelings he declared
his own unselfish love for his country, dazed by
the eloquence of the man. Senate, lobby, and
galleries broke forth into tumultuous and sympa-
tletic applause. Within that chamber one bright
light after another fades from the Senate consel-
lation. John Randolph, of Roanoke, more like a
spectre of the past glides out after short but tender
parting with his old enemy Clay. Calhoun, wan
and feeble, gazes for the last time on the sacred
fame, and is kissed by Clay as he passes from its
threshold forever Clay in turn, tOtters feebly out
of the Senate chamber, sad and emaciated, with a
| farewell word from the Little Giant" Douglas,
who is just stepping hopefully forth in the arena
of life.
There are dusty folios and worm eaten volumes
recording their deeds, and congressional reports
of fiery debates, quick flashes of temper wrangling
discussions, thrrlsts of eloquencc; but these are
stereotyped and rendered immortal by the silent
walls and nameless echoes that will never die
away with the march of time.