The Cleveland Plaindealer related the following incident, which transpired in the Kentucky Legislature:

“A venerable farmer, from a neighboring county, one of that kind for whom Kentucky has an instinctive veneration, appeared in the Legislative Hall, uncovered his snowy locks, and sat down. At the first lull in the debate, he rose slowly, and said he had a word to say, but was aware it was out of order for him to speak before the Legislature while in session. His dignified and venerable appearance arrested attention, and ‘Go on,’ ‘Go on,’ from several voices, seemed to keep him on his feet. Again expressing his diffidence at speaking, out of propriety–’Hear! hear!’ resounded generally over the room. The members’ curiosity, as well as respect, for the appearance and manner of the man was up, and silence followed the ‘Hear! hear!’ when the old hero delivered the following eloquent, but laconic speech:

“‘Gentlemen: I am delegated by my county to inform you, that if you hold a secret session here, as you threaten to do, not one stone of this Capitol will rest upon another twenty-four hours after. Good day!; and he left.”