New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-12-05
THE HOUSE-MR. CHAMPION.

correspondent
WASHINGTON, Monday, Dec. 3, 1855.
The Congressional ball opened to-day without
snv unusual animation Indeed, the feeling in the
House 10 indispOsed to extreme cOunsels, or meas
ures, or men. And the very fact that a general
apprehension had been expressed of boisterous
beginning has operated to the advantage of mode
ration on all sides.
No indication was furnished by the three bal
lotings for Speaker which in any positive manner
marked preference for Speaker; but it may be
pretty well assumed now that new name will
not be sprung upon the House, and that of the four
leading candidates in opposition to the Administra-
tion-Mr. Campbell, Mr.. Banks, Mr. Fuller and
Mr.. PensDgtOn-will be ultimately adopted. Mr.
Banks has both positive and negative strength to
aid his election-the first in his political afilia-
tons, and the latter, 10 his universally admitted
abilities for the post.
Asyet no disposition has been publicly mani
tested by the protested friends OF the different
candidates to exchange position or to reiQquish
their partialities but ii is no secret whatever
that great deal more has been protested in some
quarters than was ever intended to be fulfilled,
and that the afectation of zeal has by no means
enhanced the estimation of its sincerity. UlterOr
and personal objects may induce certain set OF
men 10 seeup candidate, for the ex press purpose
of having him knocked down, but these schemes
occasion ally overreacb themselves and are visited
with that sort of retributive justice which
bypocrisy deserves to receive When the result
has been fully sscertaned, and time has softened
disappointment, there may be some interesting
revelations on this first chapter of the present
Congress.
Notwithstanding the conservative position occu-
lN..It<r tha nal Int ana
msp in the whole South-COl sDeed Of Tennessee
could be found willing sud resoute enough to
face the music" Considering that Mr.. Fuller
has lost ground at the North from supposed
liability on these subjects, inconsistent with Free
State opinions this circumstance is not only slgnh-
cant. but il il offensive. Let men disguise 1t as
they may FROM themselves or from Others, the fact
cannot be changed, nor can 1t be consistently ex-
tsnuated. The plain truth is, the South has come
here as usual, demanding its own terms. rejecting
ali conce ssons and threatening the disruption OF
the American party in that section, unless South
ern Sneaker be elected. This sort of Demand may
he followed by reaction, not altogether palatable
10 those who have employed it, for what was ex-
action before. has now become unbiushing extor-
ton. Let us wait and watch.
Lord Clarendon has not come 70 the point in the
Champion matter, as was expected his Gus
patches by the Atlantic are well understood In
diplomatic quarters to avoid the direct issue. ana
to continue the discussion of the fact of completely
as well as to review the arguments heretofore
addressed by the Administration. 1t is clearly
manifest that the object Of this proceeding is to
gain time, ard thus, perhaps, to postpone any
fixed day of reckoning, upon the same idea of
policy that the recent warlike demonstrations
were got up in order to cover the tracks of guilty
violation OF our laws and treaties II 10, perhaps,
little unfortunate that the President did not take
more decisive step at the outset Of this business