The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-03-07
Or GREATEST fight ~ TIE
CONGKEsS IN 1858.

"1lAlbS VI III LaiC
Laurin scrimmage in the senate The
Messenger referred to other similar
demonstrations in the past One Of the
most excl, ing-indeed. the most excii-
ing incident of all in the congress was
the light in the time Of Lawrence ~.
Keith. Of South Carolina, who vas a
game man of passion. Galusna A. Grow.
of Pennsylvania, was the other game
cock and they began the row. 1t was
on February End, 1853. The celebrated
Jus ce Lamar, Of Mississippi. RUBBER
Davis. of the same state. and many
Yanks were in the melee. Lovejoy.
job Sherman. Potter. OF Wisconsin,
Washburne, Of illinois, and so on. Dur
ing an all-night session 1t occurred. a
northern writer of strong anti-southern
prejudice, writes of 1t in the Chicago
Record-Herald of the 3rd inst. The
starting of the fuss is thus given:
About 2 o'clock in the morning
Galusha A Grow. who happened at the
time to be put Of his seat and on the
democratic side Of the house. objected
TO John A. Quitman's being allowed to
speak.
II you are gong 10 OBJECT TSlCTU o
your onwn sideOf the house. said Keitt.
OF South Carolina. roughly.
This is a free hall. answered Grow
Every man has Alright to be where he
pleases.'
u want to know what you mean by
such an answer as hat said Keitt.'
coming nearer.
81 mean just what I say. This is u
free hall. and everv man has a right to
be just where he pleases.
"Keitt. his temper getting the better
OF him. seized Grow by the throat, say
ing: I will let you know That you are
u - black republican puppy
- shall occupy such place in this
hall rs 1 please replied Glow. knock
up Keitt's hand. and no n~Cgro-driver
shall crack his whip over me-.
TE,;t started the rouble Keitt grab
bed Grow by the throat. Grow knock
ed his hand Off. and When keitt came
again he a into a sterling right swing
that ioored him. Immediately the
hitherto sleepy house was lii an uproar.
and everybody rushed into the melee
determined to do damaLe.
1.-The republicans rallied abou'
Grow. Elihu Washbul lie. a short man
tackled Craig. of North Carolina. who
vas tall, and while Craig was trying
unsuccessfully To knock W~ashbuTnf
out with the fiail-like movements of
his long arms. the Illinois man butteo
him in the stomach. which tactics. nc
cording TO tradition, Jared Craig's ter
rapin supper"
Then the Scrimnage enlarged and
those named above. and others. took a
hand. Lamar and Barks'iaie waded in.
"A funny thing happened as related.
BarksIale wore a wig. W~ashburn"
grabbed it thinking To get II mans !
head under his arm. Eur. fehuld i:
came off and the blow went wild. La
mar and Owen Lovejoy. Of Il.iEOis. had
paired off and were pomme!iag one an
other in great shape. They were the
last men to be quieted.
London Punch took the scene for al
epic. 1t was an attack on "nigger-
with the usual ignorance a-d
venom. Keitt duly apoIgIZei after
wards, as did Grow explaining. etc, We
give a sample of the Punch Doetic in
spiration:
Come out. Grow Ke1tt cried. 'vcu
black republican puppy;
Come out on the floor ike r man and
darn my eyes but I'll show You
Him answered straigl!r-EItting Grow,
WAL. now, l calkilate, neitt,
No n~igger-driver shall leave his plan
tation in Sou'h Carolina
to crack his cowhide around this
child's ears if he knows it,
Scarce had he spoke wnen the hand, the
chivalrous five fingers Of KeItt.
at his throal--had they closed.
the speeches of Grow had bee"
ended"
Blood was hot in those days and in
three years the north and south were
tussling and the north backed by Eu-
rome got the weak south in its iron grip
and the great contest ended.