Daily National Democrat

The Inflammable Character of the Present Congress.

The Washington correspondent of the St. Louis Republican, alluding to the exciting discussions of sectional matters in the House of Representatives, at the opening of Congress, says:

"At one time it was believed the whole body was on the eve of a general explosion. Mr. Stevens, of New York, had declared that the Southern cries of "disunion" were intended to frighten the timid of the North. Mr. Crawford, of Georgia, who had just closed his remarks, rejoined: "Why do the northern people hold their mass meetings at which to declare their loyalty to the constitution, and then re-commence their hostility towards southern interests." Mr. Crawford spoke in a low conversational tone, and approaching Mr. Stevens, said: "Why do you not face the music—why not hang out your flag and fight bold under it." By this time, Crawford and Stevens were near together, but not an unkind word had been uttered, nor was there an unkind feeling on the part of either gentleman. Mr. Crawford's words had not been heard over the hall, and as the parties were approaching each other, it seemed to be taken for granted that a fight was on hand, and the mistake came near involving the body in a terrible scene of slaughter, and proves the excited condition of the members.

The Democrats rushed to Crawford, while the Republicans came to the rescue of Stevens, Mr. McPherson, of Pennsylvania, heading that side of the House. It now only wanted the slightest motion or pass, to commence a fight, which would probably have resulted in breaking up the Congress, and perhaps the Union. Some thirty or forty members were known to be armed and prepared for a row. But, fortunately, a motion to adjourn was made, and the ayes and noes ordered, when members returned to their seats and order was restored. Both sides of the House seemed to take a long breath, as if relieved of some terrible apprehension. I say this illustrates the inflammable condition of the present Congress. Without the slightest cause, but from a mere vague suspicion, or rather a nervous apprehension that there might be a row, a sanguinary conflict came near being precipitated, the result of which, had it taken place, cannot be foretold."

A sanguinary conflict came near being precipitated!

Is it to be inferred, then, that members of Congress take their seats armed with bowie-knives and pistols? Is a hasty word liable to incite a general slaughter on the floor of Congress? Has it come to this, that the experiment of a free confederated government is a laughing-stock to the whole earth? Personal collisions in the halls of legislation are disgraceful enough, but when you talk of "sanguinary conflicts" upon the floors of Congress, it may well make the world mock at republican institutions and laugh at Democratic Governments.