The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-04-03
A SURVEY OF THE PRESENT HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES,.

we are about to discharge disagreeable duty.
When, on summing up the results of the Con-
gressional elections for last year, it was an
nounced that the force of the Administration In
the House of Representatives was reduced to
seventy-six members, and that an Anti-Nebras-
ka majority of from fifteen to twenty had been
elected, there was great rejoicing among the
People. 1t was generally believed that the
hour of retribution had come, and justice was
soon to be done by the Peoples Representa-
tives. Understanding the nature of Know Moth
ingism, and suspecting that it had, In many
cases, neutralized or vitiated the Antl-Nebras-
ka movement, we did not share In this belief,
but predicted that the hopes of the People
would be disappointed.
The history of the contest for the Speaker
ship in the opening of the present Congress-
struggle unprecedented in our annals-con-
6rmed the prediction. 1t revealed first the exist
ence of three Parties in the House, neither OF
which commanded majority and, secondly,
that the Anti-Nebraska Party, constituting
plurality, was itself divided, being composed OF
Republicans, who had never been connected
with the Know Nothing Order, and of Ameri-
cans, who had been, or continued to be, mem.
bers of that Order. The former were opposed
to the organization, policy, and objects of the
Know Nothings, but differed as to the course
Of action to be pursued towards them, some &C.
cupying position of decided antagonism,
others, being willing to temporize, for the sake
of securing union. OF the latter, some were
earnest believers in the Order and its princi-
pies some had joined it for personal or politi-
cal reasons some deemed its maintenance of
vital Importance; some were willing to lay it
aside; some held the Anti-Nebraska sentiment,
in subordination to it, some, of equal import
ance; while others, more Republican than
American, were disposed to ignore it alto
gether.
We have given the key to the peculiar move
ments of the Opposition in the present House.
The People were duly apprised, at the opening of
the session, of the efforts required to secure
caucus of the Anti Nebraska members the Sc
cret of all the difficulty was, Know Nothingism.
At last majority of them was persuaded to
meet, merely for conference, but no attempt
was made to agree upon a nomination. The
two sections of the Plurality did not choose to
compromise themselves, but preferred going
into the House uncommitted, and trying the
strength of candidates.
Mr.. Campbell was known to be prominent
member of the Know Nothing Order, in favor
of its perpetuation, and Of carrying out the
Anti.Nebraska policy through it, so far as con-
sistent with its preservation; and therefore could
not be elected, for his election would have been
heralded as the triumph of Know Nothingism.
Mr.. Pennington was also member of the Or
der, and had taken no part in organizing
Republican movement. Mr.. Banks occupied
an exceptional position. He had been men,
Der Of the Order, and the impression was, that
he had united with it for political reasons with
out embracing its proscriptive creed. But, he
was one of the first men in Massachusetts to
encourage the organization of the Republican
Party in that State-presided at the Convention,
that united on the one issue Of Freedom to the
Territories and nominated julius Rockwell for
the Office of Governor, and he took part in the
campaign against Governor Gardner, the Know
Nothing candidate. 1t was not announced
whether he had formally withdrawn from the
Order, or had been excommunicated. The
Americans of the House claimed that he was
still member; the Republicans appealed to
the facts before the public-he had openly
committed himself to the Republican movement
in Massachusetts,, and, as a man of honor, could
recognise no obligations inconsistent with his
fidelity to that movement.
Occupying, then, this singular and exception
al position, he concentrated at last the votes of
the two sections of the Anti.N ebraska Plurality,
and every one knew that, if elected, his election
would be pronounced simply an Anti-Nebraska
victory-not the triumph of any particular or
ganization.
If any of our readers have hitherto been puz-
zled to understand why all propositions of
ton, uniformly rejected, they will now be en-
lightened. 1t was not possible to find another
member of the House, with qualifications for
the Speakership, in precisely the position of
Mr.. Banks.
The struggle terminated in his election. Do
our readers remember what happened? The
organization, which had elected Speaker, vir-
tually ceased the two sections of the Plurality
failed to act in concert. Mr.. CulIom, South
ern Know Nothing, was chosen Clerk, by Amer
lean votes from the North and the South, aided
by some Republicans, who, in the excess of
good nature, and for the sake of Cancellation.
compromised their consistency. Mr.. Gloss
brenner administration man) was reelected
Sergeantat-arms, by Democratic votes, aided
| by some Republicans, who, Mr.. Cullom having
been elected, resolved to divest the remaining
part of the organization of the House of any
political significance, so far as they could, and
prevent the Republican section from appearing
as mere tender to Know Nothingism.
A Doorkeeper and a Postmaster, both of the
American Order, were chosen, in pursuance Of
the agreement Of q caucus, in which certain
Republicans, in moment of strange forgetful
ness, met not only with Anti-Slavery, but Pro
Slavery Know Nothings, chiefly, we fear, for
the purpose of securing, for their candidate, the
public printing. Subsequently, large portion
of the Americans refused to ratify this part Of
the arrangement. Mr.. Follett was defeated, and
to cut the matter short the public printing wa.
continued in the hands of the Administration
printer
1t will be seen that the Anti Nebraska fore,
was disorganized and demoralized after tn,
election of Speaker, and so it continued TO
weeks, its two sections, bound by diverse obi
cations owing allegiance tn different oroan