Fun “Out West”
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FUN “OUT WEST”
If one wants to study the oddities, peculiarities, and “splurges” of American character, he should certainly go out West. There the usual restraints of ceremony and manners , as taught by authority in other parts of the civilized world, are pretty much ignored, as if by general consent, not only in the private circle, but in public life, and in the official hall.
Where, for instance, except out West, could have occurred such a scene as the following, which came off in the Minnesota House of Representatives, a few days since? The members being unable to agree on going into an election about a U.S. Senator from their State, it was, in a fit of general revelry and recklessness, agreed to turn the whole thing into a burlesque. Thereupon the following scene was enacted; which, if not successful as an evidence of wise legislation, has at least the merit of being more harmless than quite a good many of the “fantastic tricks” played in and by some of our legislatures:
An extremely odd looking individual, rejoicing in an abundance of beard, hair, and most primitive costume, was invited by some of the members into the Speaker’s desk, where he delivered a terrific harangue, declaring himself the “grasshopper candidate” for the United States Senate, and emphasizing his remarks by imitating the movements of that insect as nearly as human conformation would admit. The house was crowded and convulsed with laughter; and the whole scene, though little compatible with legislative dignity, was extremely funny.
After he had got through, a member took the stand, and gravely offered a resolution that Colonel Jones,1 of Stearns County, be allowed the privilege of the House, and that in the opinion of the House Colonel Jones ought to be President of the United States in the place of James Buchanan,2 on whose abilities he seemed to have little reliance. The resolution was passed by a tremendous majority, although Colonel Jones modestly declined the honor. Another wild looking individual was now found and placed at the Speaker’s desk as Governor; but he could speak but little, and the fun was put a stop to by the Speaker calling the House to order, when they voted themselves $75 all round for stationery and postage stamps, and speedily adjourned.
Scenes something in the same line with the foregoing appear to be of quite common occurrence out West. We do not condemn them, but rather approve. They are as good a way of letting off the surplus steam as any.
Notes:
1. Alexander Caldwell Jones (1830–1898) was a future Minnesota adjutant general and Confederant general. [back]
2. James Buchanan (1791–1868) was the fifteenth President of the United States (1857–1861). Late in life Whitman still considered Buchanan "perhaps the weakest of the President tribe—the very unablest" (With Walt Whitman in Camden, Monday, November 5, 1888). For more information on Whitman and his disdain for Buchanon, see also Bernard Hirschorn, ""To a President" (1860)," Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998). [back]