The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-08-16
"IIear John Quincy Adams -

3
ed Speaker. Mr.. Hugh H. Garland
the clerk, refused to proceed in calling
the roll after reaching the State OF
from that State was in dispute.
The fourth day opened, and confu-
sions still prevailed. The clerk had
begun the roll call with Maine, and, as
he was proceeding toward Massachu-
sets, John Quincy Adams, eX-Presi
dent of the United States, one of the
most learned and most eloquent states
men of the world, was seen to clasp
the front edge of his desk TO assist
him in raising, for he was an old man.
His keen eye was riveted ON the
clerk. New jersey" called Mr.. Gar
land "and the clerk has repeat that
Before he could finish the sentence
Mr.. Adams sprang to the floor, and
said
II rise to inter- upt he clerk"
"Silence Silence! resounded
through the Hall. "Hear him! Hear
him! Hear what he has to say Hear
John Quincy Adams %
In an Instant the most profound
silence reigned throughout the Hall.
Mr.. Adams said; "This is not the
time or place to discuss the merits on
the conflicting claimants for seats from
New Jersey 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 a spectacle we
here present! We degrade and dis
grace ourselves we degrade and dis
grace our constituent and the country.
We do not and cannot organize and
why? Because the clerk of this
House, the mere clerk, whom we create,
whom we employ, and whose exis-
tence depends upon our will, usurps
the throne, and sets us, the representa-
tives and vicegerents of the whole
American people, at defiance, and
holds US in contempt! And what is
this clerk of yours! Is he to control
the destinies of sixty millions of free
men! Is he to suspend, by his mere
negative, the functions of government,
and put an end to this Congress?
He refused to call the roll 1t is in
your power to compel him to call it, if
he will not do it Voluntarily"
Here Mr.. Adams was interrupted
by member, who said that he was
authorized to say that compulsion
could not reach the clerk, who had
avowed that he would resign rather
than call the State of New Jersey.
"Well, SIR" exclaimed MIR. Adams,
'then let him resign, and we may pos
sibly discover some way by which we
can get along without the aid of bis all
powerful 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
confided to us by our constituents,
then let us initiate the example of the
Virginia House of Burgesses, which
when the Colonial Governor, Dinwid-
die, ordered it TO disperse, refused to
obey the imperious and Insulting man.
date, and, like men-"
Before Mr.. Adams could finish the
sentence the whole body, together with
the multitude of on-lookers unable
longer to repress their enthusiasm,
burst into cheers. The anarchy of
the past three days was dispelled in q
moment.
Several members shouted: "How
shall the question be putt" "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
Sonth Carolina, leaped upon one of
the desks, waved his hand, and ex-
claimed:
II move that the Hon. John Quincy
Adams take the the chair of the Speak
er of this House, and ot1iciate as presid-
ing officer till the House he organized
by the election of it's 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
laundering aye responded to the nomi
nation. And Mr.. Adams was conduct
ed in honor to the chair.
Mr.. Wise, of Virginia, addressing
Mr.. Adams, said.
"Sir, 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, are best calculated to
give at once the character of the man,
1 would inscribe upon your tomb this
sentence, Il will put the question n my
self '"-Epworth Herald.