Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-02-05
The Election Of Speaker.


The election, by the National House of
Representative. on Saturday last, of Hon.
NArHANIEL 2. BANKS, Jr., of Massachusetts,,
to the important post of Speaker, cannot but
be looked upon by the friends of freedom
throughout the country, irrespective of par
ty, as an event of great significance. Wheth-
er we consider the vast influence possessed
by the presiding officer in the appointment of
the committees, and his influence possessed
in various ways over questions to lie decided
in the general course of debate, or the stand
ing and character before the country and be-
fore the world, which is thereby sustained by
the great Republican party Of the North, in
having SO noble representative Of its Princi-
pies elevated to so exalted post. the cause
for congratulation is equally great.
There is one important desideratum con-
nected with our national politics, which we
hope the suspicious result above noticed may
eyentuate in accomplishing. And that is, the
bringing about of the same degree Of union
sruong the people of the Free States, at the
approaching Presidential election, on the
great paramount issue, which has existed
among their representatives q Washington,
in adhering, with unwavering frmness, for
two long months, through one hundred and
thirty protracted ballotings, to the Republican
nominee for Speaker, irrespective of minor
issues.
What earthly reason can there be. why the
same unaninity of action should not be car
ried into the coming popular contest, on the
paramount principle and basis of action, of
opposition to the extension Of slavery, and
letting each particular division of the great
army of freedom have its own particular views
on other subjects, such as the tariff, the nat
uraiization of foreigners, sc. Mr.. Banks, as
clared himself committed fully and emphati-
cally on this broad platform, and yet he re-
ceived the votes of every Know Nothing Rep
resentative from New England, and nearly
every Know Nothing member from the Free
States, notwithstanding the fact that Fuller of
Pennsylvania was emphatically the g national
American nominee, as such, standing oil the
Philadelphia platform, and receiving the votes
Of those members who put "Americanlsm"
over and above every other issue, and look
upon Banks as the embodiment of "red re-
publicanism.'
The same noble spirit Of unanimity, on the
main issue, and the same charity and forbear-
snce on extraneeus matters, which animated
Mr.. Banks and His supporters in the late con-
test for the Speakership, if carried out in the
coming campaign, would inevitably elect a
Republican President in November next, on
the same platform of principles on which the
successful contestant for the Speakership was
chosen. What these principles are, may be
seen by the following resolves, which COM
prise the platform laid down by the Massa-
chusetts Republican Convention, of which
Mr.. Banks was the President, and endorsed
its doings:
ResoSoed, That the increase and advance of
Slavery, the additions to the number OF Slave
States the successive triumphs Of Slavery in the
political contests of. the last half century, the
control of Slavery over all departments Of the
government, the experience Of the last few years
in the legislative, executive, and Judicial depprt.
ments, and more especially the repeal of the Mis-
souri, Compromise, have made Slavery, in its ma
tional relations, and in its relations to the Free
States, the PARAMOUNT practical question in
the politics Of the country.
Rsso!red, That the repeal of the Missouri Com
promise makes EVERY INCH of the national
domain battle ground between Freedom and
Slavery. 1t makes the admission of EVERS+
NEW STATE, conflict between Freedom and
Slavery. The issue thus forced upon us, we &C.
cept. It shall be by no fault of ours, If another
Slave State is added to the Union, or ANY of its
territories left open TO the possibility of Slavery
ResolDed, That we tender no geographical or
sectional issue; nor will we be deferred from our
duty by the fear of one. The repeal of the Mis-
souri, Compromise has erased the geographical
line. Our principles are national and general
Our spirit is national and liberal. Our principles
do not justly lead to sectional issue. If the slave
power raises one, the faults theirs, be the victory
ours.
ResoEred Thatswe require no conformity Of
opinion on other subjects of national or Statepol
icy. We all recognize the duty Of making the
question of FREEDOM PARAMOUNT. Te
secure UNITY OF ACTION HERE,we attempt
no unity of opinion elsewhere.