The daily union., 1856-01-20
THE ORGANIZATION or THE HOUSE.
NJ AsAINeToA, jan. l5, l6ba

The ORGANIZATION VT tflE u0IcEs
wAsHRGros, Jan. rs 1854
GESrLnsS In several recent numbers Of your paper
YOU have rebusd with more less severity the House Of
Representatives for their failure to elect Speaker, and in
at Of yesterday you sa il Is not easy to speak Of this
Gte Of things in OF due reprehensou and
of becoming proprety and doubt II the members See T
In all It's enormitylP
Now, as l. for one must acknowledge my inability
the enormity' Of this proceeding allow me 70 make few
remarks on the subject
The House Of Representatives finds itself lrreconcaby
divided Ito say nothing Of minor differences Of opinionl
on a question OF momentous importanee. set Of men
entertaining opinions entirely incompatible with the
stsnce Of the Union and who have hitherto formed
temptble minority in that body for the first time in the
history of the country find themselves numbering nearly
majority and their influence is increased by the divisions
which unfortunately prevail among those entertaining
tona sentiments questions of far less Importance The
leaders of this faction their determination TO carry
out their designs as far practicable and the state of
things" you refer 10 results undenaby, from their ef
forts obtain the control Of the House for this purpose
Now permit to ask whether the present state Of
things however runoas' IL may be- is not far preferable
to that which would exist if the House organize
by the election Of u black republican Speaker Would
not such event inspire with energy and invest with
new influence party unscrupuous in their means as
they bold and reckless in their ends Would il not
shake confidence in the stability OF the Union both home
and abroad Would the tidngs of such m event fall
upon the Of every patriot the tocsn OF alarm
the knell of the Union ........ ....
You say that in your opinion undue importance is at
tached to the party complexion of the Speaker doubt
the truth Of this remark when understood in refer
ence solely to the ordinary struggles of political parties
No one knows better than you do that Speaker can and
usually does exercise vast influence such questions
through the standing committees, the composition of
which depends hm but If your remark be understood
referring to the particular subject which the division
of the House mainly hinges wit the slavery ques-
tont is manastly In reference that ques-
ton the aimportance OF the party complexion of the
Speaker hardly be overraed Suppose f,r instance
that the Committees Territories the District of Co
umba and Commerce respectively constituted
carry out the whole black republican programme
cudng the repeal OF the Kansas Nebraska act the abo
ton of slavery in the District and the prohibition of the
slave-ade netween the States does any doubt that
bills eFoet these objects would be reported2 What
state Of things would then present itself The House
of Representatives would then present spectacle in
parison which its present attitude of silence and mac
ton would be digned and imposing. All the dscordant
clements of which it is composed would be brought into
direct and inevitable conflict All the fury and fanaticism
which the late excitement has produced like the
surface OF the political eauldron would overflow torrents
of mutual nyecve and recrimnation would be
made such have rarely been uttered aud enacted
such have rarely been exhibited that umuuous
body. Gentlemen, if you impatient TO hear these
speeches. and to witness these scenes your differs
from mine and If you anticipate that any good result
from them, you are of more sangnne temperament than
] am Yet what else expect from body in which
it is sad there less than thirty-sx political par
sons !? e. a. IA .,a.. D. .. ..... s
For my part therefore far from regretting the
present inacon Of the House regard it far preferable
what would be its probable action and far from
sidering every day spent in this way day lost
slider it gained to the country know of loss
injury inconvenience which the country susans by
the delay of Congress to organize and if they could in
ten days from this time pass the appropriation bills and
adjourn, | view it a consummation devouty to be
wished
In my judgment therefore, those members of the House
who have thus far resisted and will continue perseverngy
TO resist organization of the House by the choice Of
othor than sound national as Speaker will de-
serve and have doubt will receive the applause and
gratitude of the country. #.
Allow me to add that il would be consonant to the
patriotic and conservative character your paper has hther
10 maintained 10 level your denuncatons exclusively
those who seeking to overthrow the institutions OF the
country than include In your censure those who are
oourageously striving to uphold them.
remain, very respectfully,
AN OLD-LTNE wHIG.
Messrs GALES sEArox Editors OF the National Intei-
gencer"