26. CHAPTER XXVI.
HUDSON'S SUCCESSOR.
The uproar in the vicinity of Independence Hall arose
from a rumor that General Hudson had been assassinated in
the camp of President Randolph. It soon reached the Convention,
and produced, as was natural, a very great commotion.
Colonel Maller, an officer who had accompanied
General Hudson to the quarters of President Randolph,
came in, and beckoned to General Ruffleton, then surrounded
by many of his friends and partisans. And about
the same time Wiry Willy obtained admission, and placed a
communication from President Randolph in the hand of
the President of the Convention.
For several minutes the proceedings of the Convention
were completely interrupted. President Langdon was
observed to change color, and to clasp his forehead with his
hand. But a moment after his composure was recovered,
and despatching a brief note by Willy to Edith, his official
demeanor was resumed with dignity. Calling the Convention
to order, he stood up and read a brief narrative of the
melancholy occurrence at Red Bank, as written by President
Randolph, as well as the letter found in the hand of
the dying General.
During the reading of these papers General Ruffleton
returned to his seat, followed by several of his partisans.
A pause ensued, and for a long time no one seemed bold
enough to make a motion, or to suggest any action.
At length Mr. Monmouth, a delegate from New Jersey,
moved an adjournment. This was followed by an extraordinary
ebullition of derisive opposition, and the motion was
lost by a majority of five votes.
“Mr. President,” said Monmouth, “I move an adjournment,
because I see no disposition to institute any action.”
“You will see a disposition to act!” said Mr. Virus, a
zealous partisan of General Ruffleton. “I can well understand
why the partisans of the Southern Randolph in this
body should desire an adjournment—”
“Sir!” said Monmouth, “do not insinuate that this foul
deed had the privity and sanction of President Randolph!”
“I judge him by the evidences of his guilt! Of that hereafter.”
“The gentlemen will confine themselves to the business
before the Convention,” said President Langdon.
“Mr. President,” said Mr. V., “that business will come
legitimately before us. But, in the meantime, let us proceed
to the nomination of General Hudson's successor. I propose
General Ruffleton.”
“Mr. President,” said Monmouth, “I again move an adjournment.”
“No! no!” cried many voices, and nearly half the members
sprang to their feet.
“Then let there be a call of the house,” said Monmouth.
“Several of my friends are absent—mysteriously absent.”
“Whom do you accuse,” asked Mr. Virus, at the instigation
of General Ruffleton.
“I accuse General Ruffleton!” cried Mr. Carbon, one of
the members whose absence had been alluded to, rushing
forward with torn garments. “Yes, I accuse you, sir!”'
he continued, pointing to Ruffleton, whose face was red
with anger. “It was your messenger that summoned me
away, and it was your soldiers who withheld me, and who
now prevent my colleagues from returning to their seats.”
Here the President's hammer imposed order.
“Gentlemen,” said he, “let us remember that we assume
to be the representatives of virtuous freemen. The motion
now pending is for an adjournment, and it must have precedence.
But before I put the question, I would remark,
in view of the proposition to nominate a General-in-Chief in
place of the one who has just fallen, that it is not clear to
my mind, nor was it at the time of General Hudson's selection,
that any power has been conferred upon us to appoint
military officers. I think we were sent here merely to represent
public opinion. At all events, let us not act with
precipitation.”
“I demand the vote on my question,” said Monmouth.
It was decided in the negative by a majority of four.
“I ask a vote on the nomination of General Hudson's
successor,” said Mr. Virus.
“Excuse me,” said the President. “I would rather not
put it to the vote—at least to-night, and in any other than
a full house. I know this proceeding is not in accordance
with parliamentary rules; but if I cannot be gratified, I will
resign.”
“It is not in accordance with your duty, sir,” said Col.
Maller. “You are the tool of Randolph—”
“Order! order!” cried many.
“Remove that man!” said the President to the doorkeeper.
“At your peril!” said the Colonel, drawing his sword.
“The chair is unoccupied,” said President Langdon, rising,
and retiring from the chamber with dignity. A moment
after, all the members who coincided with Langdon
rose up, and were about to follow their President, when
General Ruffleton stamped violently on the floor, and this
was immediately followed by the entrance of a body of
soldiers, with fixed bayonets, led by General Balatrum.
“And you would be the Commander-in-Chief?” said
Monmouth, turning to Ruffleton. “Say, Dictator or Tyrant!”
“I am a true Northern man,” said Ruffleton, smiling in
his blandest manner; “and will not see the people sold to
the Southern assassin, Randolph!”
“It is false!” cried Monmouth. “Randolph is no assassin.
But you —”
“Die, d—d traitor!” cried Maller, rushing forward and
stabbing Monmouth to the heart. He fell and expired beside
his chair, while consternation seized the rest.
“The vote! The vote!” cried Virus. “All in favor of
General Ruffleton succeeding to the chief command, say aye!”
This was responded to unanimously by all who voted.
“Gentlemen,” said Ruffleton, “I thank you. I will immediately
repair to the head-quarters of my murdered
predecessor, and either avenge his death or share his
fate.”
“I move, next,” said Virus, “that this Convention do
now adjourn, to meet again as soon as practicable, in the
city of New York.” This, too, was carried by a similar vote.
