Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-01-24
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Who is Responsible
No matter who else may be responsible for the
continued non-organization of the House of Repre-
sentatives it is rain that the American party are
in no wise accountable therefor Though few in
numbers, their strength has yet been sufficient to
prevent for eight weeks the election to the Chair of
Banks or any other Freesocr Meanwhile, how
ever. they have exhibited time and again, the most
conciliaory spirit towards the Richar lson men, and
have evinced, throughout this protracted struggle,
an earnest disposition to contribute all in their pow
or to a speedy organization of the House upon a
conservative and national basis Hence. they have
repeatedly declared their willingness to sustain any
Democrat provided they should be allowed TO do 81
without being made to swallow, at the same mo.
ment n personal insult, and without being required
TO sacrifice their personal seli-reSpect and honor.
Acting in this spirit, they have proposed first
and then another from the ranks OF the seventy
four, who disapproved the action OF the Democrat,
caucus and who are known to be unwilling To villy
and calumnile the American party, without provo
cation reason, or necessity. The last gentleman OF
the Democratic party whom the American members
OF the House through Mr. Carlile suggested for III,
Speakers chair was Gov Smith. of this State. And
how was this suggestion received by the Richardson
men. Why, it was promptly voted down, withou,
single one of those opposing it condeSccnding t.
tell their constituents and the country why they
thus acted thereby prolonging unnecessarily fruit
les, contest wasting the public money, and dana
gin. al the great interests of the country, i moi
Gov smith an old line lifelong unwavering Demo
crat i he not also right side up the slavery Is
sue DENYING both The constitutionality of the VII
mot Provi>o and of the "squatter sovereignty doc
trine. WHAT objection then, exists in the minds OF
Southern Democrats to voting Tor him for Speaker:
l. he not likewise fully competent TO the duties o.
the Office What's the objection to him We can
readily enough see, but for patriotism and the pub
lie good being superior with them to every other con-
sheraton why the Wing and American members "'
Congress should hesitate refuse 70 give him
their support But we are really at loss To com
prehcnd the grounds of Democratic opposition L.
him The question recurs. therefore, who Is reSpou-
eiblc Cor the non-organization of the House Thv
Democrat, asSurelly, because they persist in reject
ing every proposition and every candidate though
coming from their ranks by means of whci.
an organization could be effected Gov. Smit.
might easily be elected by a union of the Fuller and
Richardson men-but the Richardson Democrat,
stubb1ruy refuse to consent to his election. Upon
them must all the responsibility, ana the coun-
try will certainly hold them responsible The Anne
rican member, have no other alternative but to con
tinue to adhere to Fuller till the crack Of DOOM il
need he Though thwarted and opposed at every
step by Democratic ob>tinacy and intolerance good
men of all parties will applaud their selfSacrihcing
conciIttory aud patriotic course, and hold them
net accountable, no matter who may be elected
Speaker or whether one j. never elected.
To uN the responsibility of a nonelection Of
conservative southern Speaker upon the refractor,
Richardson men, beyond the possibility OF doubt
or evasion We extract the following paragraph from
the Washington correspondence of the Richmou,
Dipatch--a neutral paper proisSsedly, but who's,
authority sometimes goes very far with Demo
crlt,. H. the letter OF this correspondent, date,
Monday night last we discover two short sentences
which read thus
'Nlr Smith, OF Virginia, nominated by a meuibc
OF the American party and received 2y Of the votes
that plr-yJni Is democratic vOtcs-i7 in ALL The foot
ing upo tl. 10 this trial showed that had the De
aI voted tor Mr. Smith, he would have been ecc
Ted by majority OF two
"HJ N, Dsaocrois all roted tor w. Smith. h
1oud har, beel, ciected jg 1t mojori'y Of hrot!-
There it is \ true Democrat-a Southern Demo
crat-l Virginia Democrat whom his party have Of
ten honoreI with their confidence and with high OF
Gcc-to be rejected for the Speakcrship By his ow
political friends, when they had it completely il
tive organization of the House and putting an end
the disrepu,abie AMI disgusting struggle which hu
been carried on for now nearly two months "
beg the patriotic and homes; Of the country
bear in mind the fact we have stated, aud they w
have no difculty-npt the least-n determnin
fairly, what party aud what men are responsible q,
the present ridiculous, chaotic and money wIstin
condition Of things at Washington. RccoIlcct th.
the expenses Of the House alone, apart from tho.
OF the Senate aud the other departments Of the 2,
vernment all of which at dead lock in cons
qucncc Of The disorganzation Of the House, are pi
down at upwards Of Joar housqad doiioys per dg,
This is q financial fact. which particularly commen,
itself To- the consideration Of the citizens Of Virgin
Ia, whr are shortly u be ssddled with d6ubic tan
by their own Legislature.
We have not yet seen the names of the eigIte,
Deaocrii, who are said 10 have voted with q
Americans for Gov. Smith When We do. we sha
put them in print, a. well as the names Of those wi
did not