The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-12-26

Correspondence Of the Ashland Union.l
Pencil Sketches In Washington. No. 3.


WASHINGTON CRY, Dec. 225 1855.
Believing that the readers of the
Union might be interested In a pencil
sketch Of the leading candidates, now
lionized, for Speaker of the House, I
will lay before them a true likeness of
the respective heroes in that drama.
WILLIAM Fl. RICHARDSON, ofIllinois,
the Democratic candidate for Speaker,
is a large man-perhaps six feet high
dark hair, stern countenance-indicating
strong passions and appetites-with a
dull, hazel eye, though expressive of
great determination, is a fluent speaker,
ready debater, and somewhat unscrupu-
lous as.to the manner in which he tri-
umphs on the fall of his enemy. He was
the bold advocate of the Wilmot Provi-
so, the friend of the Compromise of
1850, denounced PIERCE for vetoing the
River and Harbor Bill and was the hon
of the Nebraska Bill in the House, at
its passage. He stands upon the non-in-
tervention platform, ard believes as ev-
cry other national man should, that the
General Government has M right to
legislate upon slavery in the Territories,
and that the only question for the Gen
eral Government to determine when a
State presents its Constitution for ad-
mission into the Union, is, whether that
Constitution is Republican. The do
mestic institutions of the incoming
States, in his opinion, are to be alone
regulated by their citizens. and if evil
it is their evil, and if good it is their
blessing, and not that of the General
Government.
NATHANIEL P. BANKS, of Massachu-
sets, formerly a Democrat, but now
a Know-Nothing Black Republican, is
here on his second term, elected by the
conjoint effort of these two isps. He is
evidently a man of good abilities, a thor.
ough student, is a pleasant spoken man,
of fine appearance and of remarkable
dignity. He is a short, heavy framed
man, hair well parted, broad forehead,
keen restless eye-indicating cunning
and determination. He is about forty
years old, has been in both branches of
the Legislature of his State, a member
of its Constitutional Convention, was
twice elected to Congress, and was
known as a sound Democrat until his
sensitive nerves gave way at the passage
of the Nebraska Bill, when he returned
home and joined the opposition. Asa
presiding officer he is perhaps as well
qualified as his distinguished rival, Mr..
RICHARDSON; but will eventually be
defeated, because of the endorsement of
his Democracy ~ by the National Era.
In my opinion that gentle bag will crush
his last chance for success, unless the
plurality vote should carry him into a
seat which his treachery has purchased.
HENRY NJ. FULLER, Know Nothing
Wing, of Pennsylvania, is a man of
large stature, hair quite gray, looks to
be about ffty-two years old, has a pleas
ant and manly countenance, q keen eye,
and possesses a fair share of dignity.
This is. I think, his third term. I was
in the House when he made the expose
of his political opinions, a fewdays since.
He was eloquent and forcible, and occu-
pies the same position as Mr.. R1oHARD-
SON. He is said to be a cunning and
tricky wire-puller. He lives in a Dem
ocratic district, and carefully watches
the drift of public sentiment, and taking
every advantage of the weakness of 9th
ers has thus far been successful in secu-
ring a seat in Congress. He would no
doubt make a good Speaker, but I think
he will never be elected. His expose OF
sentiments on the slavery question was
extolled by southern men who had voted
for him, to ave them from injury at
home; and though correct, it will kill
him in his own district. To such ex-
tremes has fanaticism run hat no north
ern man dare express a determination
to be national
A. @. N. PENNINGTON, of New Jer-
sey, here On bis second term, is known
as q Black. Republican Know Nothing
Wing (?). He is a tall, slim, fhe-look-
ing man, of some forty-fye years of age,
hair quite gray, is of impressive appear
ance, a good speaker and a ready deba-
ter. His chances for the Speakership
are few and far between. The singular
combination of isms which characterizes
him should make him a desirable cam
didate for Black Republicanism; but
it has married Mr.. BANKS and can't join
Mr.. PENNrNGros till a divorce is obtain
ed. Such is the picture-let all remem-
Der it. HORATIO.
New York Dec. 90.
A Washington correspondent Of the
Herald telegraphs, on Saturday evening,