Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-02-14
Correspondence of tn. New York Herald

. HAsHIasfoR, Feb. A.
Mr.. Banks has made very favorable impression
on this the first days occupancy by him Of the
chair Of the Speaker Of the House Of Representa-
tives. Calm, COOL collected, sslfpossessed, prompt
In putting and deciding questions, with respect
good will and approval Of hsmost inyeterate poll
teal foes. Ireally believe that, howsoever prone
he may have been on one memorable occasion Of
catering to the disunion sentiments Of the Aboli-
tionists Of Massachusetts, he will be found to be
firm and conscientious supporter Of the Constitu-
ton and Of the Union. At all events, ye may give
him credit for that in advance and it will be time
enough when he shows the cloven foot, if he ever
does, to denounce and condemn him. I speak 30
much in his favor, being really prepossessed by
his dignifed, candid and independent manner in
the chair Idon't think that, aboitionist or anti
slavery extensionist as he confessedly is he will
prove to be the worst choice that could have been
or would have been made for 1.-THE Speakership.
The members were sworn in to-day. Az it may
interest many Of your readers to know the modus
operdnat Of the ceremony, 7 will describe it. Tho
representatives Of each State are called together,
beginning with Maine, coming down through the
original thirteen States then through all the other
States oceording to their precedency of admission
into the Union, and then the delegates from the
Territories are called, those of Kansas and Ne.
braska being last. The members Of that State
coming up to the Clerks desk, the Speaker de-
scends from the chair and administers the oath of
declaration, or affirmation, in these words:
"You do severally solemnly declare that you
will maintain the Constitution of the United
States ?"
The manner in which the oath was taken to-day
was somewhat remarkable. The membsrs from
Maine being first called, came up and cordially
shook hands with Mr. Banks They had been,
with one exception, believe, firm supporters Of
his. They then made the declaration, each hold
ing up his right hand, and bowing the head in
token of assent. The members from all the New
England States observed the same ceremony, max
ing the declaration in the way have described
Among the New York delegation there were five
or six members who chose rather to take the OATH
swearing on the Bible. Among the PENNSYLVANIA
delegation, Mr.. Knight, Quaker, and one or two
others, hrmed-something Of cross between the
oath end the affirmation. / have said that the
members from New England and the Northern
States almost universally affirmed. On the other
hand, those from the Southern States, with hard
ly On exception, took the oath on the Bible. This
difference Of style is remarkable, as showing the
fidelity with which the people Of each section have
maintained the manners and customs derived from
their ancestors. The Puritans and non-conform-
lists Of New England, in their condemnation OF
forms and ceremonies, haddepnrted from the then
universal and only mode of administering oaths,
while the Cavaliers and Huguenots had cherished
and maintained this to them most sacred form. l
watched with some little curiosity to see the man
ner of the Southerners toward Mr.. Banks, and T
found it to be almost uuo1cspticaably frank, cos-