The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-07-26
Election of Adams
One of the Most Exciting Political Events
in the History of the Country.

|
as president of the United States was
preceded by an intense excitement.
Neither of the three candidates for the
presidency having received constitu-
tional majority of the popular vote, the
election was thrown into the house of
representatives, where the three parties
were very nearly balanced. The hall
was prepared for the process of the
election by placing seats for the respec-
tive state delegations, each having a
separate table in the semi i-circular open
space in front of the clerks table. Be-
fore the hour for taking their seats there,
they were to be seen walking about in
little bands, or seated in groups, earn
estly conversing in low tones, every
mind being occupied in the result of
the election. Each party was sanguine
4 of success. Betc wore etalrod to a large
amount. The most confident predic-
tions were uttered, and by some of the
excited and INSCRIPTIONS partiSans with
out, most ferocious threats were uttered.
A second Missouri contest was ex-
pected. None counted on less than 40
or5o ballotings; some said the election
would occupy weeks, perhaps months,
while others went so far as to say that
no choice would be made, but that con-
gress would break up in a row. To
patriotic mind it seemed as if all the
evil powers who sought to ruin free gov
ernment had gathered together at Wash
ington and were whirling through the
troubled air. Many carried concealed
weapons, as if expecting some violent
outbreak. The bar rooms of the hotels
and eating houses were crowded with
guests, whose aspect boded no good to
the country, or peaceful progress of its
government. Many heart that loved
American regulated freedom trembled
in view of the untried experiment now,
for the last time, to be attempted.
Amidst such arguries the day of election
came. Every avenue leading to the
capitol was filled with people, all of
whose faces looked in one direction,
and were filled with one common ex-
preston of grave and interested curios-
ity. Into the galleries which surround
and overlook the hall of representatives,
not an individual human being could
by any possibility be forced, and the
staircases, quite out of sight and hear
ing of what was passing within, were
crammed with watching multitudes,
hoping against hope to gain, by some
good chance, or by dint of patience and
of physical strength, glimpse at least
of the exciting scene.
1t had been proposed, in debate, on
the day previous, that, during the cleo
ton the galleries of the hall should be
closed, as they could, at best, accom-
modate but handful of those who were
anxious to witness the scene; but Mr..
Md. fse-es1s1 my ucnISa tue fIgnL
of congress to exclude the people from
witnessing, if they SO pieasei, the acts
of their own representatives in matter
especially so vitality affecting them all.
And when it was suggested that the
admission of so great and so excited
crowd would inevitably be Productive
of disorder, he Sprang up, and, tones
which echoed the hall and gal.ries.
pledged himselffor "the orderly dekrt-
ment of the people, while looking y
such a scene" His appeal was too pcL
ular to be successfully resisted, and the /.
doors were thrown open accordingly.
At length the speakers hammer fell:
A dead silence instantly prevailed, and
then the respective delegations assem-
bled and took their seats around the ta-
bles prepared for them. One whose
privilege it was from an elevated posi-
ton on the right hand of the chair, to
enjoy full view of all the groups, has
preserved a rude and hasty sketch
which he caught oftheir positions while
the first ballot was proceeding. Each
delegation appointed one of their num-
ber to act as chairman, collect their
votes, and report the result. The dele
cations voted by pluralities. Who
ever, in each, received the most votes,
was reported the choice of the delega-
ton. There were twenty-four of these
groups; and when the votes had been
gathered in from each, they were called
upon to report, which they did in sue
cesSion, 710a 00fe, commencing at Name,
The silence was like that of sepulcher.
Mems breath was suspended as state
after state uttered its voice; and oh,
can 1 ever forget the moment when the
Speaker, standing up in his place, de-
clared, in clear sonorous voice, that
seemed to pierce through bone and mar
row, that "John Q. Adams, having re-
ceived majority Of the votes cast, is
duly elected President of the United
States for four years from the 4th OF
March next ensuing"
Then arose such shout from the
galleries as seemed to lift the very dome
of the Hall. Mr.. McDufie (whose
candidate had been defeated, whose
eager hopes had been blasted and whose
personal pledge for the good order of
the assembly was remembered by alp
sprang up in much excitement, and, in
in voice that rang all the tumultuous
plaudits of thespectators, cried: "Mr.
Speaker. l move the galleries be clear
ed" The question was put and carried.
eyes," said foreign minister to an
other who stood by his side, "but how
are we going to do it?" A natural
question enough for European, ignor-
ant of the law and the people,
Here were no guards, gems d'armes,
not even a constable; how was the or
der to be enfor cedP
A moment later, and the sergeant-at-
arms, stepping into the area before the
Speakers chair, said in a loud, clear
tone of voice, "Clear the galleries /"
He was obeyed without murmur, and
the immense crowd poured into the up
per lobbies, found its way into the ro-
tunda, where the scene just witnessed
was discussed and the friends of Mr..
Adams were congratulated.
nara lawyer hired to defend thief
opened his conference with the latter
saying: "Now, don't be ashamed to
tell me everything. Remember we are
one now." ''Yes, l know" replied
the thief, 'tthe business we are both
in ought to make US pals; but, for
| r~~oo;1>,,e cola dan'f he foo familiar mi L