ady, I have no doubt, such people would be--and I deem it
no disparagement to them; I have no doubt they are
conscientious--to go upon the battle-field. Such things have
happened. They are willing to take an insult, and horse-whip and
chastise the man who has extended the rudeness to them; but they
are exceptions to the softness which is the charm of the female
character. I appeal to my friend from New York [Mr. Morgan]--I
can speak for Baltimore--and to the member from Pennsylvania
[Mr. Cowan] who I suppose can speak for Philadelphia, would they
have their wives and their daughters seeking to get up to the
poll on a hotly-contested election, driven with indignation at
times from it, insulted, violence used to them, as is often the
case, rudeness of speech sure to be indulged in----

Mr. WADE: I should like to know if that is the character of your
city?

Mr. JOHNSON: Yes.

Mr. WADE: Then it is very different from the community in which I
live.

Mr. JOHNSON: I rather think you might make Cincinnati an
exception from what I have heard. I am not speaking for the
country, though I have seen it pretty rough in the country; and
they have been rough occasionally in Ohio. If they were all of
the same temper with my honorable friend who interrupts me of
course it would be different, and all could have their rights
accorded them.

Mr. COWAN: I should like to ask whether the presence of ladies on
an occasion of that kind would not tend to suppress everything of
that sort? Would it not turn the blackguard into a gentleman, so
that we should have nothing but good conduct?

Mr. JOHNSON: No, sir; you can not turn a blackguard into a
gentleman.

Mr. COWAN: Except by a lady.

Mr. JOHNSON: No, sir; by no means known to human power. There may
be some revulsion that will cause him to cease to be a blackguard
for the moment, but as to a lady making a gentleman of a man who
insults her it has not happened that I know of anywhere. He may
be made somewhat of a gentleman by being cowhided. But the
question I put I put in all seriousness. I have seen the
elections in Baltimore, where they are just as orderly as they
are in other cities; but we all know that in times of high party
excitement it is impossible to preserve that order which wo