The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-12-24

18th ult, the E. c. will bring us two weeks later
adwces from the gold region.
TIE Election OF Mr.. Cobb as speaIter--or
ganizstIon OF the House and OF Congress.
So Speaker Is at last elected-Howell Cobb,
Of Georgia, being the fortunate man. THIS I'M
portant deed was performed on Saturday last, be-
fore the adjournment, and full report of the
debate and proceedings appeared in our columns
yesterday, which was probably the only account
of them, given that day, by any newspaper IN the
United States. The rest Of the newspaper press
will republlsh from the Herald the same proceed
lngs to-day.
The scenes on the occasion were highly dra-
matte and interesting. II is victory-a complete
and efiectual victory for the democrats, in oppo-
siuon to the wings and ultras of both sections of
the country. Mr. Cobb was the first candidate
proposed by the democrats, on the first day of the
session His friends stuck TO him for the last
three weeks, and worried all the other parties into
a compromise, by admitting the plurality princple;
by this means he received a plurality Of votes,
and was elected Speaker. The committees Of
conference between the two great parties had
some influence in producing this result, although
their particular proposition was negatived by the
democrats. The spirit of their conference was
adopted by the House on Saturday, and resulted
in the election Of Speaker, after the toll and
trouble Of three weeks.
What is the cause OF all this loss of time 7 The
extraordinary spectacle which the House presented
for the last three weeks during this struggle, was
produced by two important political causes, or two
certain conditions Of things, in the country and
among public men The first of these operating
causes, was the rise and growth Of the free-sol
party in the North, which brought into existence,
by way Of contrast and counsraction, anti-fre--
soi party IN the South, as has been developed in
the secession of Messrs. Toombs q Co., in the
House Of Representatives. The second cause
of the difficulty and trouble was the ncompe-
tency, the mbecilty, the weakness, and the mis-
management of the present cabinet in Wash
ington.
by what means has this free-soil agitation
caused those difficulties in Washington, and pro-
tacted the election of Speaker for three weeks
il Is easily explained. According to the old party
classfcations, had no free soil differences or ag-
tations broken out in the North, the democrats
would have had considerable majority in the
House Of Representatives, and might nave elected
their Speaker on the first ballot. The same resul,
might have attended the efforts Of the whg party,
had no agitation produced a counteraction in the
South or had the cabinet so far as its policy has
been developed, been consistent with the pledges
ard premises Of Gen. Taylor before his election,
and in bis inaugural address, as It was Understood
BY the South The difficulties, therefore, are Of a
mixed party character and will operate more or
lees in every movement, and In every effort at
legislation, during the existing session IN both
houses.
The triumph Of Mr.. Cobb Is undoubtedly re-
suit decidedly hostile TO the Clayton cabinet, 10
every particular, and in every point Of view. Conn
mtees of the most searching character, m opposl-
ton to the policy Of the cabinet, will be organized
by the new Speaker Button the free-soll question.
We anticipate the character Of tAc committees viii
BE- ccncllia'ory 10 the South, and hostile, m some
tesp, cts 90 the uliras Of both sections. Mr.. Cobb
is urdoubudly Southern man, but he "a not an
uuctmrromising ultra. There can be no doubt
that he is IN favor Of such broad and nauon.l
comprcmfe, m organizing the Few territories and
admitting he new States, as governed the ongn al
trainers Of the constitution, and also the Congress
which settled the Missouri compromise, thlrty
years eco. Such a spirit Of compromise may not
cut the party or personal purposes OF the u'ras OF
either section bat The great bulk OF the republic,
and Of the sensible people Of al parties will hall IL
a. ieyoraI ie prospect for the termination OF the
dangerous ogitsiio which has been awakened IN
the Northern and Southern sections 81 the Union.
In snoihcr aspect the election Of Mr.. Cobb. IN
opposition 20 the wings, deyeiopcs the superior
pTacucal s4raciiy, uutirine efforts, and remarka.
bic diplomatic skill, winch auimltes the demo-
cratic party m opposition 70 the same traits 10 the
whig parry proper. Tie wings, as party, have
never display ID that ski in practical government,
which the democratic party constantly and inyari-
ably does. This IL, probably, one # the principal
reasons why the democrats have, for such length
Of time, enjoyed the advantages OF government,
aud kept themselves in power, against all the wIles
and straiegems Of their opponents.
Congress is now organized This committees o.
the Senate have been before the country for several
days, and the committees Of the House may be sp
pointed to-day. The message Of the President
may be received tonight; and Immediately after
the holidays, the great business Of legislation aud
action will commence, which is either TO advance
this mighty republic another step in its great pro-
gress or to scatter il to atoms, by the agitation Of
destructive and desolaung questions. What IS the
prospect, therefore, now before us ? Both the
Senate end the House are in the hands of the
democrsts-of the old democrais-of that class Of
statesmen and politicians who entertain com
promising sentiments on the iree.soh question,
agreeing more or less with the opinions Of Mr..
Clay, Gsn. Cas-, and the moderate men OF both
the old parties The ultras Of the North and the
South will be left equally behind in the future
progress Of events, provided common sense and
sound patriotism prevail with the leading men in
Congress.
The master spirits Of this Congress can be easily
Ioihied out. In the recent movements Of the