The Daily Nashville true Whig. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1851-1855, 1855-10-12
go &c. We.k 10 the Hoasa."

shown that the responsibility of delaying the
organization of the House of Representatives
rests withthe Democracy, an attempt Ito ward
off anticipated blows" The inpudence of the
remark would be refreshing, but that similar
exhibitions are 50 common from that source.
The Union and american attempts to base
its defence of its brethren in their factions and
designating course, upon the assumption that
the American party is in the minority 10 the
House of Representatives. The assumption in
the first place is not true, and in the second
place if it was, would be no grounds for excu-
sing the course Of the Democrats. Whatever
were the relative positions OF the two parties,
it was well ascertained fact that majority
Of tie House desired to have Governor Brown
Speaker. Gen. Donelson saw and knew this
from the first to the last ballot, and had he
been free from the trammels of party discipline,
TO act according to his own conception of pro-
priety, especially in view Of the consequences
involved in this protracted contest, would, we
doubt not, have unhesitatingly terminated the
ballotings, as he had the power to do, by Sc
curing the viii Of a majority of the House.
His opponent had been magnanimOus in decli-
ming TO vote for him under the circumstances,
and under the circumstances it would not have
been more magnanimous for him to have voted
for his opponent.
The Union and american says in substance,
that it was the duty OF GOV. Brown to vote for
Gen. Donelson, and thus force the latter gen
teman to elect him Gov. Brown Speaker.
The Union and Americqn made this assertion
once before, aud we explained why Gov. Is.
did not pursue this course, and the Union and
american virtually acknowledged tile correct
ness Of our explanation at the time But in
reviewing the premises that paper finds this
the only point that it can make with any et-
feet in defending lis party and he returns toit
ike dog to his yomit. Without denying or
attempting to paliate the main fact, that such
course on the part of Gov. Brown would
have placed him IN the position of forcing bis
opponent to elect him Speaker, the Union and
Amerieaa tells its readers that he Gov. b
should have pursued that Objectionable and
uumauly course The fact is that the course
OF Gov. Brown was characteristic chivalrous
display of gallautry, and though it may be too
finely tempered to be appreciated by the Eii-
Tor of the Union, we venture to say that it
was and is appreciated by Gen. Donelson, Gov.
Browns opponent, aud that that gentleman is
always ready and willing to acknowledge it.
There are some of the nober impulses OF hu-
man nalure which viii break through even
the closely drawn lines Of the Democratic
party.
The Union and american belitiles itself by
giving utterance to the insinuaton that Gov.
Brown las scLemed aud planned to secure his
election to the Office Of Speaker Of the House
of Representatives. The idea is so absolutely
absurd and disgusting, that we have not the
patience 10 look il ia the face. Our stomach
revolts at its Shiny proportions, and we bid it
back to the filthy slulce from which it ema-
mated.
The Union and Imericaa says the plurality
rule finally adopted was at war with prece-
dent. and that the American party 50 admit;
aud that by It's adoption Gov. Brown virtually
voted for himself Not one of these assertions
is tenable In the first place, Mr.. Hatton
showed conc]usiyely that there was prece-
dent for the course finally adopted by the
House. aud that Gov. johnson was instrument
tai in establishing that precedent in the Con-
gress OF the United States. As 10 Gov. BIS
voting Tor himself by voting for the resolu-
ton adopting the plurality rule, the editor OF
the Union and Amuicaa knows, as well As
any man, that be does Gov. Brown great in
Justice in every respect, by such a charge;
and we are persuaded that proper estimation
of the good opinion of his fellow citizens
would have restrained him from promuiging
such an untounded and ungracious charge
were il not that the party leaders required
him to defend the party though the Heavens
should fall. When the editor Of the Union aud
American fails in such an emergency, the
Heavens will fall. Gov. b. understood that
the public time and public money was being
s9uandered by the delay caused by iactlous
minority; be saw the indispensable necessity
OF adoptins some alternative TO put an end 10
the contest; and he readily voted for the reso-
ton; but having done so, promptly withdrew
bis name as a candidate for Speaker Having
done which, be had fully discharged hs duty
in the premises, and effectually cleared his own
skirts from the responsibility of delay in the
organization Of the House Had be voted
against the plurality resolution, what would
have been the resulll The minority were I'M
Welding, and the contest might have been
kept up until today, or next week Cos.
Brown saw this, and acted as every honora.
be aud high minded man would have done
under the circumstances. II tle msmbers Of
the American party saw lit 20 re nominate
him IN the evening and elect him, lac could hot
object. lie had performed his duty 10 the let
ter: and without desiring the position, bat
rather prefeuing place upon the hoor lac j.
Tow Speaker Of the House OF Representatives /
the choice Of maj trity of that body, clearly 4
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