River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-04-25

cised and lampooned, as well as car
tooned, in a manner more excessive and
relentless than political leaders have
ever been subjected to before. But, in
the midst of it ALL while many charges
of serious nature have been preferred,
it is a significant fact that nobody has
arraigned the Fifty-third congress for
RIGHTEOUSNESS or moral depravity.
1t is Indicative of the elevated moral
tone of the entire country that better
and purer men are constantly being
selected and sent to the senate and
house of representatives in the national
capital. 1t would be practically impos-
sible for any community in this period
of our history to send a professional
prize fighter to congress, solely on the
ground of his reputation as a slugger
and brutal bcater of other men. il
would also be practically impossible for
any community to send a professional
gambler to congress; but if such
thing were done the gambler would GER
tainly be expelled from the house of
representatives If he undertook TO es-
tablish gambling house in Washing
ton and run that kind of a business
during his term of mem bership in the
house. And yet, thirty years ago John
Morrissey, professional prize fighter,
was a member of the house of repre-
sentatives, kept a gambling house on
Pennsylvania avenue, and was at the
same time regarded as a popular repre-
sentative by a large class of people in
Washington city. Within a single
generation the moral tone of the entire
country has been so elevated that such
a man could not now live such life and
prosper in the glare of public opinion.
The members of the house of repre-
sentatives, one year ago, were inclined
TO take official notice of the trial of
certain member of congress, but, upor
reflection, concluded 60 leave, and did
leave. Col Breckenridge to the judg-
ment Of the people of the Ashland dis
trict. The verdict of that people was
against immortality; and with the close
of the Fluffy ohird congress on March :,
the public career of Col. breckenridge
also closed.
During tho Fifty-first congress- there
were many stormy scenes and at least
one personal encounter between rcr-e-
sentatives; but no gambling nor eXces-
sive drinking was noted. In the very
early days of the republic oar states
men INDUCED in swearing, fighting,
drinking, gambling and carousing. In
179s there was a dreadful scene in the
house of representatives. Roger Gris-
void, of Connecticut, and Matthew
Lyon, of Vermont, came TO blows.
After a hot war of words, Lyon
4 1 A
come back there and teach you good
manners"
eff you come, Lyon, cried Griswold,
don't forget to bring your wooden
sword!'' abiding to the fact that the
Nermonter was drummed ont of the
army during the revolution. Lyon,
without a word, but in a frenzy of
rage, crossed the room and deliberate
w spat in Griswolds face. There WIS
a motion to expel him, and during its
tendency the offender made n speech
in self-defense which was so obscene
that.the newspapers of even that free
and-easy time could not fully Indicate
its purport The motion to cxpel was
defeated, whcreupon Griswold ran over
to Lyons seat, jerl1ed him out of it,
THREW MIN nONil ptsk kiill vi AiAN
floor of the house. Lyon escaped to
the fireplace and defended himself
with the tongs, b 1t was beaten again.
Friends of the parties at last interfered
and the battle came to an end; but
only after considerable damage had
been done. Such a scene would be
wholly impossible during the present
generation, for our people have grown
better as well as wiser than their an
cestors were.
With one exception during recent
years we have not only had better men
in congress, but men Of stainless repu-
tation in the white house. Never again
viii our people place IN the prcsidcn-
tial office a man whose hands are
stained with human blood or who has
engaged in deadly dueling. When Gen.
Jackson came to the white house he
lad the reputation of having wounded
two men in duels and killed one. He
had received two wounds in ..treet
fracaSes, one OF which. from the hands
of senator Thomas II. Benton, he bore
conspicuouslv all his life. 1t was said
that "Old Hickory had been in
dozen duels and hundred personal
encounters when he entered the white
house. During these latter years we
have had in the executive mansion high
bred Christian gentlemen and ladies.
Thequarrclsous-. querulous slvaggerer
is no longer a popular political idol.
No matter what differences Of opinion
may ariss, nor how excited statesmen
may becoiiAS ia debate, nor what wicked
things they\ may say - each other.
there viii neSer more be duciing in
Washington nor in this vicinity. The