, 1884-07-08
STANDING HIS GROUND.
Cen. schonck's Pluck in the House
Of Representatives.
A Scene OF Riotous Conrusion-
Nearly n Personal Encounter
SlideIrs Question-A PIs-
tol for One.


LNCh. ANAAoJ LOOibI
Gen. Schenck, of Ohio. who served eight
years in congress-ISEs to 1~S5l-before tho
rebellion, was one of the early champions OF
emancipation, and had several alterations
with the 5 Rveholler. Ga one occasion it is
narrated that the venerable Joshua r Gid
d.ngs was virtually refused a hearing when
he desired TO make a personal explanation.
A scene Of the most riotous confusion fol
lowed, anil in tho midst Of it Schenck, broad
houldsred. SOU ~Ire-headed and powerful,
rose in his placs and commanded silence by
the intensity of his manner and the vehe.
mence with which be said:
a 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 aud
sravely assaile |, desires to mako a personal
explanation, surely he should to be permitted
. do SO. Under such circumstances, sir, no
gentleman would object"
Again, however, there came from different
parts OF the chamber cries OF II objcctl. l OBJ
jectl" md again Schenck, with removed en-
phasis, said;
Al repeat, Mr.. Speaker, that under the
circumstance no gentleman would object"
As a result of Mr.. Schepck's courage and
pertiuacity, Mr.. GiddiDgs was allowed TO
make his explanation. When the scene was
aver there was much discussion as to who
Schenck referred to when he said that no
gentleman would object, and Jacob Thomp-
son, of NJ ssiss ppi, who was afterward score
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.. Schemes;
Il did not even know that he was in the
house"
"Are you willing to make that explanation
publicf' asked Thompson.
Certainly, was the reply. Il will do SO
with p .easure."
The next day on the floor Mr.. Slidell, in
accordance with this arrangement. rose and
nsked il the gentleman from Oaio referred to
him whom he said that no gentleman would
object TO Mr.. Giidlngs' explanation.
mo. certainly not, sir, " replied Schenck.
Il did not even know that tho gentleman
from Louisiana was in tire house,
Still Sii .ell questioned him, saying: @If
tho gentleman from OHIO knew that tho mem
her from louisiana was in the house, would
ne have made that remark"
IT a." replied Schenck, lis a hypothetical
question, AM 1 will not be questioned in tina
fasl
Still the southern member went on to In
terrogate HIM AMI, Mt last, entirely out Of
patience, Schonck took the flo ,r, a ,ainst thu
almost violent Efforts which MS frienL, Gov
eTuOT Hhuce, OF OlllI ma 10 70 fe3Lral I nm,
and sail: at is evident taat what the msn-
Der from Louisiana desir,s to know
is TO whom I refe red when l said yester .ay
that 10 gentleman would object to the er-
planation OF my colleague. Lest there he
my further doubt upon the subject, l will
say here an now hat I meant ami referrel
to the drunken member from Alabama,
Felix G.. Mcconnell"
As may well be imagined, this declaration
created the widest excitement in the house.
McC, nnel, one of the most violent of Demo-
crats and p~ro-slavery men then in Washin g
ton, rushed down the aisle shaking his fist at
Schenck, and for a moment 1t was believed
that a personal encounter could not be
wooded With great difficulty order was al
last restored, and the ordinary business of
the house for n time resumed. Just before
a. adjournment, however, Carrot Davis came
over to where Mr.. Schenclf was quietly
seated, and said; "Have you a pistol,
Bsheuckf'
NO." replied the latter, ~ never carried
one in my life.n
swell, you had better carry one to-day"
said Davis, "for Mcconnell Is swearing he
will shoot you on sight"
"Still, l haven't got a pistol, and don't
know where to get one" replied Schenck.
Take mine take mine" sa d Davis, quietly,
at the same time handing his friend a 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 Albanian was standiu Z
quietly on the portico, but made no demon
ssrasiou as Schenck passed him, and so thu
ar air ended