The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-29
THE SPEAKERSHIP.

of Representatives. The various offices are dis
posed Of and all the House will have to do will
be, to say yea and amen. The plan, as we
learn from the papers, is as follows:
"Plan far Organizing tie House Of Repre-
seatatires-Th irty.fourh COngress.-To call
meeting of all members of the American Or
der who support the resolutions adopted by the
National Council at Philadelphia, 18th June,
1856
"This meeting shall prescribe obedience to
those resolutions, the test Of eligibility to any
Office or appointment within the power of the
House of Representatives
off a sufficient number of National Ameri-
cans cannot be assembled to effect an organi-
cation upon the above basis, conference shall
be invited with all members favorable to an or
ganization upon the basis of maintaining the
existing laws upon the subject of Slavery as a
final and conclusive settlement OF that subject.
THAT this conference shall refuse to support
any nominee for any office within the appoint
ment of the House, who will not take and sub
scribe the following declaration of principle and
action:
a. That he will obey and enforce, when
called on so to do all laws enacted by the Fed
eral and State Governments, as paramount to
any other authority within their respective and
appropriate jurisdictions.
-. That he will abide by and maintain the
existing laws upon the subject of Slavery, as
final and conclusive settlement Of that subject
in spirit and in substance.
"3. That he will abstain from and dscour-
age the agitation of the Slavery question.
"a. That he aoW confer no Subordinate 0p-
p0iutH,em upon any one achO wW not make and
subscribe the foregoing declaration"
TO carry this into effect, two Representatives
from New York have issued the following call
in the american organ of this place:
NEW YoRK, Nor. l, 1855.
70 the Editors oftae organ:
GENTLEMEN: As it is now clearly known that
the American Representatives to the coming
Congress will constitute large plurality in the
House. it IS eminently desirable that a confer
ence be had, prio! TO the commencement of the
session.
In this view, the undersigned solicit the p-iy-
ilege of inviting, through the medium Of your
columns, the several members of Congress who
have been chosen as the Representatives Of the
American policy, to meet for conference at the
Hall OF Representatives, o. Thursday, the 18th
day Of November next at the hour OF GQcp.
BY giving this invitation in your wide-circu
lated columns, you will confer favor on your
very obedient servants,
Thomas Il. WHITNEY,
FIN NeW York District.
BAyARl CIARF,
Ninth Nel0 York District.
The correspondent Of the New York Express
X. NJ says the call is rather premature, as
many MeI.beys OF the Know Nothing Party
may not be present IN Washington at the time
named. That is quite probable, but tie meet
ing in that case will be preliminary That the
Know Nothing members will attempt, however,
to organize the House, is not to be doubted.
The New York IriJarc and Boston AHas
propose union Of all the members opposed to
the Administration. We do not know what is
to be gained by snoh movement. 1t is WIS.,
ionary to suppose that the Know Nothings and
Wings Of the South can ever be brought to snp-
! port candidate fit to be sustained by the Re-
publicans of the North. They are more hostile
to each other, than Southern Know Nothings
cf the kiEd can be successful, unless the Slave
| ry Question be ignored altogether.
There would seem to be more reason for call
| ing ali Anti-Nebraska caucus, if a caucus is to
be resorted to. The policy of the Administra-
ton in repeating the Missouri Compromise was
the great question submitted to the People.
They were called upon to say whether they APP
proved or disapproved of it. In the free States
it was the sole question. The People replied,
by returning to the House a ma3oIitZ Of mem
bers opposed to the Administration On this
| single issue-the question of Slavery and Sla-
very extension as presented by the repeal OF
the Missouri Compromise. Or this issue, the
House ought to be organized. The Ant-Ee
braska member who seeks to thrust in other is
sues, to make the organization of that body
tributary to other objects, is dishonest.
But, We must not shut our eyes to facts
Several members from the North-how many
| is not yet knoWn-aEe determined that all the
Offices shall be filled by Know lIothings the
aggrandizemsGt Of the new Order is TO ,e
made the paramount Object They call upon
all the members of the Opposition TO rslly IN.
der their banner
is 1t Worth while to go into caucus with
such men? Is it safe--is j. honest? As the
term Republican" is used to define oppes;tio,
to the policy of the Administration on the
question Of Slavery, would it not be the better
way to cali at once "RepublicanA caucus.
and nominate Republican candidate2 So
we think. We like the plain, bold, direct way
OF dealing with these questions. By no act Of
ours would we give countenance or influence to
! the Know Nothing Party.
As usual, the managers of the Secret Order