The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-22
d. c..
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER %, 1866.
THE ELECTION OF SPEAKER.

VNco 10 ucaID oil PIePaTeu anu lnltldteu Dy It's
Standing Committees, and in many cases de-
termined by them. Its debates and proceed
ings are regulated by usage and express rule.
The Speaker, empowered to appoint these Com
mittees, and decide all questions of order, may
shape to certain extent the action of the body,
and sometimes even battle the will of majori,
ty. Hence, the Importance of the question, who
shall be Speaker?
In lS48, as no one Party had the majority,
the House was obliged to ballot for nearly
month before combination could be effected
strong enough to elect a presiding officer. A
similar difficulty is apprehended in the organi
cation of the next House. In point of fact
there will be but two Parties, Anti-Slavery and
Pro Slavery, Anti-N ebraska and Nebraska, Re-
publican and Anti-Republican and could all
issues but those in controversy between them
be thrust aside, single balloting would de-
eide the question. But, there are members who,
from constitutional timidity, or personal ambi-
ton, or desire to advance the interests of the
Know Nothing Order, will seek to prevent this
open, direct conflict between Freedom and Sla-
very.
The Administration Party will, of course, be
in the minority, not able probably to command
more than eighty votes out of two hundred and
thirty -four; but it will possess many advan-
tages: it will have on its side, unity, set
tied policy, able leadership, strict discipline,
the support of the Federal Executive; it will
know itself and its own strength All these
elements of power will be wanting in the OPP
position. Its only tie will be antagonism to
the Administration-but it is without organiza-
ton, without unity, without a policy, without
discipline, without leadership. What is more,
IL aecey can be united. There is no use in de-
ceiving ourselves. The fact must be recognis-
ed and acted upon-TME OPPOSITION CAN NEVER
BE UNITED. Tricksters and compromisers, men
who would serve the Lord and the Devil, two
faced and double-tongued political proAigates,
might as well lay this truth to heart, and be
honest on compulsion.
OF the Opposition, one hundred and twen-
ty-three members are from the free States, the
restroom thirty to forty-from the slave
States. Of the latter, few are Wings, the
majority, Know Nothings, all, thoroughly Pro.
Slavery. All Of the former are said to be, Anti
Nebraska, but that is rather an indefinite term
Very likely they all think the Nebraska bill
ought not to have been passed so think Messrs
Valley, Hunt, and Barnard, and yet who more
anxious than they to suppress agitation re-
speeding it? How many members elected as
Anti-Nebraska men, are prepared to discharge
the grave duties imposed on the friends of Free
dom by the passage Of that perfdious meas
ure? How many are Anti-Nebraska and,
something else which they deem quite as import
ant? How many are acquiescents, Union-sa-
vers, Know Nothings? How many would be
willing to select JOSHUA R. GIDDMGs, or some
lican cause, as their candidate for the Speaker
ship? Some of the members of Congress elect,
even from Massachusetts. by working against
RepubhcaDism, at the late election in that State,
demonstrated that Know Nothingism was first.
the Anti-Slavery movement, subordinate. in
their regards. Can they be depended upon to
night the battle of Freedom in the House of
Representatives Are they not Just the men
to compromise the question, as the old Wings
used to do, with their Southern confederates /?
Hear another Anti-Nebraska member from
free State We copy from the american Or
gan of November 1lth:
=" member of Congress from one Of the
Northwestern States, writing TO a friend. saws.
FOR my own part, am opposed to all pro-
scription based merely on localities. can see
no good reason why gentlemen who are will.
nm a min xuft !.
this infamous and contemplate Pierce dynasty.
should be prescribed because they happen to
reside IN one or another portion of the coun
try
IhS is the true sentiment. and one which
we are sure will animate the breasts of very
large portion. and We hope the whole of the
opposition, come they from what section they
may. We should as earnestly deprecate any
movement among Southern members. to estab
lish tests, as we should among Northern men.
Either would be as unpatriotic as it would be
impolitic and suicidal"
What is this but ignoring the whole ones.
ton OF Freedom and Slavery? WHY was the
Administration Frustrated in the free States
why were its Nebraska supporters turned ont of
Congress? Because, the People, outraged by
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and the
abominable attempt to nationalize Slavery. re-
solved TO fill their places with men who would
put down that policy. And are they to be
cheated? The talk of this Northwestern mem.
Der sounds very much as if one man at least
had obtained his election on false pretences.
What does he mean by prescription based
merely on localities?" When men begin to
sophsticate, they expose their integrity to
doubt He knows that nobody proposes pro
scription based merely on localities that Re.
pubhcans care nothing for geographical distinc-
tons. Point out Southern man true to their
principles, and they will embrace him. They
mean 10 make, not mans locality, but his
views and policy in regard to the existence of
Slavery in Federal Territory, and its further
extension, a test in the election of Speaker
just what this Northwestern member, from his
adopting the course of the Union savers. means
not to do.
Is there not already call issued by two
Know Nothing members elect of the New York
delegation, for Know Nothing caucus of
the House, to consult on the question of the
Speakership? In the House, as among the Peo-
pie, this miserable organization will ply its
work of mischief seeking by secret arts to d.
vide and mislead the Public Opinion which has
been so rapidly accumulating against Slavery.
Its late partial successes in New York and
Massachusetts, embolden it, and, under the
leadership of its twenty-five or thirty members
from the slaves States, it now aims at nothing
less than the control of the organization of the
next House. We tell the People of the free