The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-12-21

sion.
We give this morning the elaborate opinion of Chief
Justice Glchrist of the Court of Claims in the of
Samuel p. Todd u.s. United States.
THE MORALE OF THE STRUGGLE IN THE HOUSE.
Nearly three weeks of the public time have been
sumed in vain efforts to produce organization We are
not however disposed say that the of this pro-
tracted contest have been without sauary effect upon the
cause Of just principles Certain facts have been develop
ed certain positions assumed parties brought out
in clearer light to the country and the history of the pres
placed before the country in conspicuous manner
that the future conflicts Of the leading organizations will
be stripped of much of the mystery that might otherwise
have surrounded them The democratic party remains to-
day in the attitude which it assumed at the meeting
of Congress but the grand army of the opposition has
been formally and rrevocaby disunted We at last see
the proportions of what is called national know-nothins
ISM as conradistnguished from what is known as black
republicansm, or northern know-nohingsm and aboi-
tionism combined.
Probably no events in political annals will compare
with the debates which have sprung up within the last
three days and certainly no exhibitions of parliamentary
discussion have contributed sgnaly to strengthen sound
doctrines on the one hand and expose and impair dan
the wise forehought and instructive sagacity which nva-
riaby accompany the fearless assertion of right principles
has sustained the doubeassaul who affect osympa
hze with in constitutional duties and of others who have
no sympathy with Of any kind wba,soeverand this by
selecting ground in advance of the Sd December OF plant
ing its standard on an emnence that the whole nation
might see it, and of nominating its representative leaders
man identified with it in its great conflict with the OPP
IL 4 of /, Cd
ries ATTEMPTED TO dsodge it. vainy have they labored
strike down candidate for Speaker Vanly have they
sought to obterate the inscription which shines upon
every fold of its banner 1t remains now we have said
more strongly fortified than the day when it announced
its purpose and its principles to the world.
We disposed to exult this spectacle nor to
cav those who have deemed it consistent with national
professions denounce the democracy for standing fast
to the truth; because the trial is not yet over The
+ march of constitutional issues has only commenced.
will be impossible for any portion of our countrymen
longer to maintain distinct and segregated attitude
on an mmaterial and fleeing platform like that OF
know-nothingism and at the time loudly to pro-
claim their adhesion to the doctrines most fearlessy adj
vocaed by the democratic party But it due to the
majority of antagonists to say-we mean the black
republicans in the House of they
have caught if may the phrase the spirit OF I'M
compromising and resoute hostility to the rights of the
States which anmaes their accepted leader In the Senate
Mr. Seward and that they have initiated the democratic
example in far to enuncate their designs in the bold
est and most fragrant We have heard all their
strong in the popular branch of Congress For two
long hours the House sat patiently by while Mr. Gdtings
denounced the nation those opinions which constitute
the superstructure of the abolition organization daring
the public sentiment and defyng the constitution, and
invoking that popular support which be no doubt sincerely
believes he has right to invoke that for the first
time in our history, himself and his parsans may claim
the majority of in that body Mr. Banks is the can
ddae of this majority for Speaker Himself one of the
most polite and sereant of that number he has not
halted or been prevented by the fear Of defeat but on the
contrary has been stimulated by the hope of increasing
his strength in declaring to the country that be represents
the strongest antsavery district in the Unon and that
he stands the national legislature as the candidate OF the
advocates of the ansavey sentiment of the North Mr.
Campbell has been less candid while Others, of less
note only because they have not been prominently put
forward in this controversy have followed the bold and
beigerent example of their chieftansi SO that the
lines NAV be said to be drawn, the divisions of
parties to be mapped out in the House. and the chart
Of future operations to be already prepared for APP
preaching eXlgencfes IL Is III consequence " et'O
of things that VIC are disposed the whole, TO gath
or counsel and comfort for the future and to congratulate
the American people, that legislation has not been put
forward at any rate the bitter contentious that must
tainly have grown out Of such legislation have been
anticipated in the primary and inevitable conflicts be-
tween rival organizations in the popular branch Of Con-
Rress One feature has been disclosed in these conrove
sizes which possesses valuable sgni6cancewe aude to
the fact that from all that region upon which, in 1854
the secret order achieved its most distinguished and
striking advantages not than eight north
ern men have been Congress who ready to say
that they differ from aboonsm in the abstract or in the
detail and hence able to dsproye however ready
they may deny that aboltonism has either usuped
the power of this order that the secret order itself
has been willingly used TO further the ends and aims Of
aboltonism.
This conflict does not establish that all the know-nohings
North mpregnatcd with the views of antislavey ia
nacsm on the contrary, believe that if an occasion
were be presented thousands Of who were be-
rayed into sympathy with know-nothingism account
Of its boast Of exclusive Americansm would gladly enrol
themselves in the democratic ranks the only true de-
posltOry Of the national sentiment Of the country butt