The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-09-30
A "REMINISCENCES.
The Exciting Declaration Made by Robert c.
Schenck.
Philadelphia Times.

Philadelphia Times.
On one occasion on the floor Of the House,
Joshua r. Giddings Of Ohio was assailed in
the bitterest fashion by number of the
friends Of slavery, snd charged with stealing
negroes and seuding them away from the
District Of Columbia, then, Of course, within
the slave dominion. After abuse of this
sort had been hesped upon him for some
days, he at last rose to . personal explana-
tion and demanded the floor. At once from
the Southern members there came cries of
"Don't hear MIN! don't hear him We OBJ
ject we object" A scene Of almost riot
ous confusion followed, and In the midst Of
1t Schenck, broad-shouldered, square-headed
and powerful, rose in his seat and command
ed silence by the intensity Of his manner
and the vehemence with which he said:
81 have no personal interest in the matter,
Mr.. Speaker, nor knowledge of the matters
alleged; but when the honorable gentleman,
my colleague, who has been 80 violently and
gravely assailed, desires to make q personal
explanation, he should be permitted 10 do
so. Under such circumstances, sir, no gen.
tleman would object" ......
Again, however, there came from different
parts of the chamber cries of al object
object !" and again Schenck, with renewed
emphasis, said:
az repeat, Mr.. Speaker, that under the
circumstances no gentleman would object"
As result Of Mr.. Scheuck's courage and
pertinacity Mr.. Giddings was allowed to
make his explanation. When the scene was
| over there was much discussion as to who
Schenck referred to when he said that no
gentleman would object, aud Jacob Thomp-
son of Mississippi, who was afterward Secre-
tary Of the Interior, communicated to him
the Impression, which was general In the
House, that he meant Slidell Of Louisiana.
THAT Is . mistake" replied Mr.. Schenck,
al did not even know tina. he was In the
House."
"Are you willing to make that explanation
public ?" asked Thompson. ...
Certainly" was the reply; 81 will do 81
| with pleasure"
| The next day on the floor Mr.. SBdell, in
accordance with the arrangement, rose and
asked IL the gentleman from Ohio referred 10
him when he said that no gentleman would
object to Mr.. Giddings' explaua.ion.
"No, certainly not, sir" replied Schenck
II did not even know that the gentleman
from Louisiana was In the House."
Still SIidell questioned him, saying: II
the gentleman from Ohio knew that the
member from Louisiana was in the House,
would he have made that remark ?"
"That," replied Schenck, SIS hypothet.
ical question, and will not be questioned
In that fashion,"
Still the Southern member went on to in
terrogate him, and ut last, entirely out of al
patience, Scheuck took the floor, against the
almost violent efforts which his friend, Gov.
ernor Vance of Ohio, made to restrain him
and said
at Is evident that what the member from
Louisiana desires to know 10 to whom / re
ferrsd when I said yesterday that no gentle
man would object to the explanation Of my
colleague. Lest there be any further doubt
upon this subject, will say here and nov
that meant aud referred to the drunkef
member from Alabama, Felix G.. McCon.
nell"
As may well be imagined, this declaration
created the widest excitement in the House
Mcconnell, one Of the most violent of th'
Democrats and pro-slavery men then II
Washington, rushed down the aisle shaking
his fist 1t Schenck, and for q moment It wa
believed that personal encounter could no
be avoided. With great difficulty order wa
at last restored, and the ordinary business o
the House for time renewed. Just befor'
adjournment, however, Garret Davis cam
over where Mr.. Scbenck was quietly seated
and said:
"Have you pistol, Schenckp"
"No," replied the latter, 81 never carries
one In my life." a-
swell, you had better carry one to-day,
said Davis, "for Mcconnell Is swearing b
will shoot you on sight" es-.g.
"Still, haven't got pistol, and don
know where to get one" replied Schenck.
"Take mine, take mine, "said Davis quietl!
, at the same time handing bis fiiend pisto
: For some days after this Mr.. Schenck wen
armed. Three days later he met McConne
as he was walking down. the eastern steps {
] the Capitol. The Albanian was standiu
! quietly on the poltico, but made no demoi
8 stration as Schenck passed him, and SO th
affair ended.