sanction a dissolution of the
Union." This brought a dozen Southerners to their feet, with angry
exclamations, and Mr. Bayly, of Virginia, who was near Mr. Duer,
said "There are no disunionists." "There are!" exclaimed Mr. Duer.
"Name one!" shouted Mr. Bayly. At that moment Mr. Meade, of
Virginia, rose and passed directly before Mr. Duer, who pointed to
him and shouted, "There's one!" "It is false!" replied Mr. Meade,
angrily. "You lie, sir!" responded Mr. Duer, in tones which rang
through the hall; and, drawing himself up, he stood unmoved, while
his political friends and foes clustered angrily about him, every
man of them talking and gesticulating most furiously.

Fortunately, Mr. Nathan Sergeant (known as a newspaper correspondent
over the signature of Oliver Oldschool), who was the Sergeant-at-
Arms of the House, was in his seat at the Speaker's right hand.
Seizing the "mace," which represents the Roman fasces, or bundle
of rods, bound by silver bands and surmounted by an eagle with
outstretched wings, which is the symbol of the authority of the
House, he hastened to Mr. Duer and stood at his side, as if to
protect him. His official interposition was immediately respected
by all concerned in the disorder, and even the most tumultuous
began at once to subside, so that no forcible measures were needed
to prevent further violence.

Quiet was restored, and the excited Representatives, one by one,
obeyed the sharp raps of the Speaker's gavel, accompanied by the
peremptory order, "Gentlemen will take their seats." Mr. Duer,
who had recovered his usual composure, then addressed the Chair,
and having been recognized, apologized to the House for having been
provoked into the use of the unparliamentary expression, but
justified himself by referring to a speech which Mr. Meade had just
made and printed, which contained disunion sentiments. Mr. Meade
promptly challenged Mr. Duer, who showed no indisposition to fight,
but with some difficulty friends secured an amicable settlement of
the quarrel.

Finally, after three weeks of angry recriminations, it was voted
that a plurality should elect, and on the sixty-second ballot Mr.
Howell Cobb, of Georgia, having received one hundred and two votes
against one hundred votes for Mr. Winthrop, was declared the Speaker
of the House. He did not have that sense of personal dignity and
importance which belonged to Sir John Falstaff by reason of his
knighthood, but he displayed