The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1881-10-07
a nEmISnscEScE.
The Exeitiag Declaration Made by Robert
q. schenek.

On one occasion on the floor Of the
House, Joshua II. Giddings Of Ohio
was assaiIed in the bitterest fashion by
q member OF the friends of slavery, and
charged with stealing negroes and
sending them away from the District Of
Columbia, then, OF course, within the
slave dominion. After abuse of-,tbis
sort had been leaped upon him for
some days, he at last rose to a personal
explanation and, demanded the floor.
At once from the Southern members
there came cries Of "Don't hear him I
don't hear him We object ! we OBJ
ject !" A scene Of almost ri0tOus con-
fusion followed, and in TIE midst Of it
Schenck, broad-sboulderet, square
headed and powerful, rose in bis seat
and commanded silence by the intensity
Of his manner and the yehemeDce with
which he said
81 have no personal interest IN the
matter, Dir. Speaker, nor knowledge
Of the matters alleged bat when the
honorable gentleman, my colleague, VINO
has been so violently and gravely assail-
ed, desires TO make "A personal explana.
tion, be should be permitted to do 30.
Under such circumstance, sir, no
gentleman would object"
Again, however, there came from
different parts Of the chaniber cries Of
Il object / object r. aud sgsin
Scbenck, with renewed emphasis said :
II repeat, Mr. Speaker that under
the circumstances no gentleman would
object"
As result Of Mr.. Scbenck's courage
~ni pcrtinaciiy Mr.. Giddings was al
lowed to make his explanation. When
the scene was over there was mush dis
cussion az TO who ScheDck referred to
when he said that no gentleman would
object, ami Jacob Thompson Of Missis-
sippi, who was afterward Secretary Of
the Interior, communicated 20 him tue
impression, which WAS general IN the
House, that he meant Slid Il of Louis
lana
THAT is a mistake replied Mr..
S:henck 81 did not even know that
he was in the House"
"Are you willing to make that ex-
elanation pubic :" asked Thompson.
Certainly" was the rely II will
10 80 with pleasure" The next day on
the foer NJ. Slidell. IN accordance
with the arrangement, rose aud asked
il the gentleman FROM Ohio referred to
him when he said that M gentleman
would object t. Mr. Giddings' explana-
ton.
"So, certainly not, sir, replied
,cnck al did not even know that the
gentleman from Louisiana was in the
House"
Still Slidcll questioned him, saying
III the gentleman from Ohio knew
tAat the member from Louisiana was
in the House would he have made
that remark
THAT" replied Schenck, sis bypo
thetical question, and / will not he
questioned in that fashion"
Still the Southren member went ON
70 interrogate him, and ut last, entirely
out Of all patience, Schenck took the
floor, against the almost violent efforts
which his friend, Governor Vance oi
Ohio. made to restrain him, and said
'lt is evident that what the member
from Louisiana desires TO know is ts
whom | referred when / said yesterday
that no gentleman would object to tn,
explanation Of my colleague. Les
there be any further doubt upon thi
subject, will say here and now that
meant and referred to tho dranker
member from Alabama, Felix G.. Nc
Connell."
As may well be imagined, this dec
latation created the widest excitemen
in the House. Mcconnell, one of tn
most violent Of the Democrat and l,rc
SLAYER men then in Washington, rushe
down the aisle shaking his lst a
Schepck, and for a moment it WIS bC
lieved that a personsl encounter coul
not be avoided. With great difficult
order was at last restored, an the Oh
dinary business of the House for
time resumed. Just before adjourn
ment, however, Garret Davis cam
over where Nc. Schenck was quietl
seated, and said
Have you pistol, Schenek I"
mo-" replied the latter, al nevt
carried one ia my life"
"Weil, you had better carry one Il
day" said DAVIS, ''for Mcconnell
swearing he will shoot you on sight
"Still, haven't got pistol, an
don't know where to get one" replie
! Schenck.
"rake mine, take mipe," said Dav
quietly, at the same time hsnding |,
friend pistol. For some days aft,
this Mr.. Schenck went armed. Thr,
days later he met Mcconnell as
t was walking down the eastern steps
the Capitol. The Alabamian WI
standing quietly on the portico, b.
made no demonstration rs SehenC
. passed him, aud so the affair ended.
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