The Chief Justice, evidently quite nervous, declared the order would be enforced.
Senator Trumbull, of Illinois, moved that the offenders be arrested.
“We’d like to see you do it!”
At length the mob began to slowly leave the galleries under the impression that the High Court had adjourned.
Suddenly a man cried out:
“Hold on! They ain’t going to adjourn. Let’s see it out!”
Hundreds took their seats again. In the corridors a crowd began to sing in wild chorus:
“Old Grimes is dead, that poor old man.” The women joined with glee. Between the verses the leader would curse the Iowa Senator as a traitor and copperhead. The singing could be distinctly heard by the Court as its roar floated through the open doors.
When the Senate Chamber had been cleared and the most disgraceful scene that ever occurred within its portals had closed, the High Court Impeachment went into secret session to consider the evidence and its verdict.