The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-05

"To know when to yield in govern
ment"-wrote a celebrated English states
man, sis at least as necessary as to know
when to lose in trade and he who can
not do the first is so little likely to gov
ern kingdom well, that it is more than
probable he would govern shop ILL.,"
There seems to be some wisdom in this
suggestion, applicable 10 the state of things
which exists in the House of Representa-
tives at the present moment 1t appears
that after several Intellectual ballotings for
Speaker, yesterday, the House adjourned
without coming to an election. The vote
on the Speakership is considered of i'm
portance as testing the strength of parties.
That strength distinctly tested, and the
next object of interest and importance is
to select Speaker who will preside with
dignity, impartiality and general credit to
the body whose officer he is.
Two days of unavailing effort have clear
ly demonstrated that neither the WIG
nor the DEMOCRATIC party, as such, has
majority in the House. Fifty more trials
would not prove this fact more distinctly
than it now stands recorded. Whoever
may be elected, the result cannot be claim
ed as party triumph. The only question
remaining to be settled, after the demon
stration OF. the position of parties, is one
OF public and national, not of party inter
est. The business of the people ought not
to be heedlessly embarrassed. Something
under such circumstances might be yield
ed, from a willingness to give fair chance
to the Administration. Something might
be conceded with a good grace, and with
out shaking the faith of constituents in
representative loyalty, to the eminent
qualifications or the well-tried experience
of particular candidate, notwithstanding
he is the selected candidate of his party.
Men of extreme opinions might well be
satisfied with having manifested those
opinions by their respected votes, and,
waving the idea of any further test in the
matter, so record their final votes as to ac-
complish an organization of the House,
and proceed to the despatch of the import
ant public business which awaits the DELHI
erations of C ongress.
The composition of the House, as ex-
hibited by the repeated votes on the
Speakership, would indicate that the leg
islation of the present Congress will be,
on the whole, satisfactory to the People.
There is no reason to fear the triumph
of extreme doctrines. No measures can
pass both Houses as pure and simple
party measures. They will rest upon
their merits. There can be no dan
ger, therefore, of violent measures, pre-
cipitated by party spirit, and liable on
that account to shock or disturb the
public mind. The advantages of this
state of things will enure to the country
and the Administration, and, consequently,
to the WIG party. If the Administration
should succeed with their measures upon
their merits, and with adverse majorities
in both branches Of Congress, it will be
the highest possible tribute to the patriot
ism and prudence Of President TAYLOR,
and cannot fail to augment his well-de-
served popularity. Such, we have no
doubt, will be the result. In minority
in both Houses, his recommendations will
carry weight by their merits, and his policy,
foreign and domestic, will prevail by IFS
intrinsic wisdom and strength.