The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-11-29
"Hear John Quincy Adams"
[Epworth Herald.1

began in December, 1886, had been in
session three days, and yet it had not
been able to organize. 1t was the GUS
tom for the clerk of the proceeding
congress to act as the chairman of
the newcongress until it had organized
and elected speaker. Mr.. Hugh H.
Garland, the clerk refused to proceed
in calling the roll after reaching the
State Of New Jersy, because the mem
bership from that State was In dis
pute.
The fourth day opened and confusion
still pervailed. The clerk had began
the roll call with Maine. and as he
was proceeding toward Massachusetts
John Quincy Adams, ex-president OF
the United States, one of the most
learned and most eloquent statesmen
of the world, was seen to clasp the
front sdge of his desk to assist him in
rising for he was an old man.
His keen eyes was rivited on the
clerk.
"Mr. Garland, call New jersey" Mr..
Adams said.
The clerk replied that "rather than
do 80, repeat that"
Before he could finish the sentance
Mr.. Adams sprang to the floor and
said:
II rise to interrupt the clerk"
"Silence! Silence! resounded
through the hall. Hear him Hear
him Hear what he has to say Hear
John Quincy Adams q!
In an instant the most profound
silence reigned through the hall.
Mr. Adams said 7'This is not the
time or the place to discuss the merits
of the conflicting elements for seats
from New Jersy that subject belongs
to the house of representatives, which
by the constitution Is made the ulti.
mate arbiter of the qualifications OF
its members. But what spectacle
we here represent! We degrade and
disgrace our constituents and the
country.
awe do not and cannot organize ;
and why? Because the clerk OF this
house, the mere clerk, who we create,
whom we employ, and whose existence
depends upon our will, usurps th.'
throne, and sets US, the representatives
and vice-gerents, of the whole Amer
lean people at defiance, and holds us
in contempt! And what is this clerk
of yours! Is he. to control the des-
TIMES of fifteen millions Of freemen !!
is he to suspend by his mere negative,
the functions of government, and put
an end to this congress?
He refuses to call the roll 1t is your
power to COMPEL him to call 1t. If he
will not do If Voluntarily"
Here Mr.. Adams was interrupted by
q member who said that he was au-
thorized to say that compulsion could
not reach the clerk, and that he would
resign, rather than call the State OF
New Jersey.
"Well, sir" exclaimed Mr.. Adams,
"then let him resign, aud we may
possibly discover some way by which
we can get along without his all pow.
erful talent learning and genius.
"If we cannot organize In any other
way if this clerk of yours will not
consent to our discharging the trust
confded to US by our constituents,
then let us initiate the example of
the Virginia House Of Bnrgesses, which
when the colonial governor, Dinwidde
ordered it to disperse, refused to obey
the imperious and insulting mandate,
and like men"
Before Mr.. Adams could finish the
sentence, the whole =. body, together
with the multitude Of onl0okers,
unable longer to repress their enthui-
asm, burst into cheers. The anarchy
of the last few days was dispelled In a
moment.
Several members shouted, "How
shall the question be put?" Who
will put the question ?" Above the
tumult Mr.. Adams own voice was
heard;
II will put the question myself"
Mr.. Richard Barnwell Rhett. OF
South Carolina, leeped upon one Of the
desks, waved his han ], aud exclaimed :
II move that the Hon. John Quincy
Adams take the chair of the speaker
officer until the house be organized by
the election of its constitutional officers.
AS many as are agreed to this will say
aye, those"
He had no opportunity to put the
negative, for one universal, deafening,
thundering aye responded TO the nom
inatiop. And Mr.. Adams was con.
Quoted in honor to the chair.
Mr.. Wise, of Virginia, addressing
Mr.. Adams, said:
"Sir, I regard this as the proudest
hour of your life; and If when you
shall be gathered to your fathers, /
were asked to select the words which
in my judgment were best calculated
to give at once the character of the
man, I would inscribe upon your tomb
this sentance Il will put the question
myself."