Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-02-24
RRAHLS IN CONGRESS.

| BkAWLS IN CONGhESS.
On the 29th of January, 1885, an attempt
was made to assassinate General jackson oa
the portico of the Capitol, at funeral cere-
mony, by Richard Lawrence, a painter by
trade, and resident of Washington. He ex-
ploded two caps on the pistols in the attempt.
The pistols were afterwards found to be we'll
loaded, and Jackson's escape was considered
miraculous. The would.be assassin was
knocked down and taken into custody. Gen.
Jackson always believed that this act was
perpetrated at the instigstion of some Of the
friends of the Federal Bank.
Prior to this, in 1883, Gen. jackson was
assaulted while sitting down reading news
paper on the boat at Alexandria, but the
friends of the assailant succeeded in getting
him out of the way in good time.
It was in these days that Henry A. Wise
made an ugly face at speaker Polk on the
street and spat at him.
In February, 1888, Mr.. Cilley of Maine
charged in his speech in the House that
James Watson Webb, editor of the New
York Courier and Enquirer, had received
bribe of $4,000 from the Bank of the United
STATES. Graves of Kentucky took up Webb's
quarrel, and Henry A. Wise bore his chal-
I lenge to Cilley. General George W. Jones
was Cilley's second. Bladensburg was the
place and the weapons were rifles. The RI
hes rang out and both missed. The chal-
lenge was withdrawn to give opportunity for
reconciliation. The attempt failed and the
principals again took position, Wise remark
ing shat if the matter YVES not terminated by
this shot he would propose to shorten the dis.
tance. The rifles rang again and Cilley fell
dead.
Henry A. Wise, the Ajax in these scenes,
struck Stanley, from North Carolina, a blow
at the race course. Stanley demanded the
usual satisfaction The demand was with
drawn for explanation. Wise explained that
understanding Stanley come in collision
with him unintentionally near the race course,
he deemed it to be his duty, as a gentleman,
10 say that the blow, inflicted by him on
Stanley through sudden impulse produced
by erroneous Impressions, demanded his pro-
found regret" Stanley's friends told him he
was bound to accept the explanation, which
he did.
1t was in April, 1850, when the compromise
measures were under discussion, that the
scene between Foote and Benton took place
in the Senate. Foote was making speech
and made allusion to Benton. Benton
rose hastily from his seat, pushing his chair
violently from him, and without remark or
gesture moved up the aisle toward Foote, who
was about twenty feet distant. Benton had
no weapon in his hand or upon his person.
Foote, perceiving Benton's movement, ad-
vanced to meet him drawing and cooking a
Eve chambered revolver. Members inter.
vened, and order was restored. Benton said
pistol had been brought to assassinate him.
Foote replied he had only brought it for self
Defense Benton replied that was always
the pretext of an assassin.
In 1854, Churchwell and Cullum had their
"set. to" in the House. Churchwell pronoun-
ced language used by Cullum infamously
false. Cullum, who sat about fifteen feet
from Churchwell, sprang from his seat with
both fists appraised. and exclaiming, Cd
d-n you, you d-n rascal" tried to "get at"
him. Cullum said Churchwell drew pis-
tol on him. The Speaker pounded; the
Sergeant alarms fumed and-held up his
mace! But calm succeeded as 1t always
does.-after time.
1t was the 22d of May, 1856, that Preston
S. Brooks, a member of the House from
South Carolina, came into the Senate Cham
Der and knocked down and beat Senator
Sumner, from Massachusetts. Brooks after
wards challenged Senator Henry Wilson,
who was opposed to the code. He also chal.
ienged Burlingame, who accepted, and named
the Canada side at Niagara Falls, and pro-
ceeded there. Brooks declined to meet Bur-
lingame at that point, alleging that the place
of meeting had been expressly named because
it would be impossible for him to be present.
In the same year scene occurred in the
House between Mr.. Sherman of Ohio (now
Secretary Sherrnan), and Mr.. Wright Of Ten:
nessee. Sherman tried to throw handful of
waters in Wrights face, when Wright made
an attempt to strike him Confusion and ex-
citement prevailed for moment, but was soon
allaved.