Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-07-05
STANDING HIS GROUND.
Gen. Schenck's Pluck in the House
of Representatives.
A Scene Of IslotOus CemGusiOn--
Nearly a Personal Encounter-
Siidcirs QucAlion-A Pie
tob Cor One.

Gen. Scbenck, of Ohio, who served eight
years in congress-lSi3 to 1S5l--before tho
rebellion, was one of the early champions OF
emancipation, and had several alterations
with the Shareholder On one occasion it is
narrated that the venerable Joshua X. Gid
dings was virtually refused a hearing when
lie desired to make a personal explanation.
A scene of the most riotOus confusion fol
| lowed, and in the midst # it Schenck, broad
shouldered. square headed and powerful,
rose in his place and commanded silence by
the intensity of .his manner and the vehe-
mence with which he said
Il have no personal interest in this matter,
Mr.. Speaker, nor knowledge of the matters
alleged; but when the honorable gentleman,
my colleague, who has been SO Violently aad
gravely assailel, desires TO maze "A personal
explanation, surely he should to be permitted
to do so. Under such circumstances, sir, NJ
gentleman would object"
Again, however, there came from different
parts of the chamber cries Of 81 object ! o..
jectr aud again Schenck, with renewed eas-
phasiS, said:
II repeat, Mr. Speaker, that under the
circumstances no gentleman would object"
As result of Mr. Schencks courage and
pertinacity, Mr. Giddings was allowed to
make his explanation When tine scene was
over there was much discussion as to who
ScheHck referred 10 when he said that no
gentleman would object, and Jacob Thomp-
son, of Mississippi, who was afterwarj secre
tary of the interior, communicated to him
the impression, which was general in the
house, that he meant Slidell, of louisiana.
THAT is a mistake" replied Mr. Schenck;
II did not even know that he was in the
house.
Are you willing to make that explanation
public!n asked Thompson.
Certainly was the reply. Il will do Sc
with pleasure
The next day on the floor Mr. Slidell, in
accordance with this arrangement, rose and
asked if the gentleman from Ohio referred to
him when he said that no gentleman would
object to Mr.. Giddings explanation.
mo, certainly not, sis, replied Schenck.
al did not even know that the gentleman
from Louisiana was in the house.
Still Slidell questioned him, saying: IF
the gentleman from Ohio knew that the men,
Der from Louisiana was in the house, would
he have made that remark'
That, replied Schenck, as "a hypothetical
question, and will not be questioned in that
fashion"
Still the southern member went on to in
terrogate him. and. at last, entirely out Of
patience, Schenck took tho flor, against ! 0
almost violent efforts which his friend, Gov
| ernor Vance, Of Ohio, made to restrain him,
and said: at is evident that what the mem
Der from Louisiana desires to know
is 20 whom | referred when | SAID yesterday
that no gentleman would object to the ex-
PLANTATION of my colleague. Lest there be
any further doubt upon the subject, / will
say here ANA now that meant and referred
to the drunken member from Alabama,
Felix G. Mcdonnell"
As may well lie imagined, this declaration
created the widest excitement iii the house
Mcconnell, one of the most violent Of Demo-
Gratis and pro-slavery men then in VI ASKING
ton, rushed down the aisle shaking his fist AT
Schcnck. and for moment il was believed
that personal encounter could not be
avoided With great difficulty order was at
Inst restored, and the ordinary business of
the house for time resumed. Just before
al journment, however. Garret Davis came
over TO where Mr.. Schencl was quietly
seated. and said: "have you n pistol,
Schenck!'
NO" replied the latter, Il never carricl
one in my life $3.50
well, YOU had better carry one to-day"
said Davis ~for Mcconnell is swearing he
will shoot you on sight
Still, | haven't got pistol, and don't
know where to get one, replied Schenck.
Take mine. take mine, said Davis. quietly,
| at the same time handing his friend pistol.
For some days after this Mr.. Schenck went
armed. Three days later he met Mcconnell
as he was walking down the eastern steps of
the capitol. The Alabamian was standing
quietly on the portico, but made No demon
stration as Scdenck passed him, and SO the
all air ended.