Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-01-24
From WASHINGTON.
correspondence Of the State Sentinel
WAsUINGToE. Jan. /,

America" Such n spectacle has never before
been witnessed in this country. Why is the
country now disgraced by such a humiliating
scene? The Democrats certainly have
thrown no impediments in the way of an or
ganization. The Black Republicans said that
if they could have anight session they could
effect an organization. The Democrats i'm
mediately met in caucus and resolved to graf
ify them. Accordingly the House continued
in session from twelve o'clock in the day on
Wednesday until half past eight o'clock on
Thursday morning, but without avail. The
Black Republicans are determined, il APP
pears. To adhere to Mr.. Banks under all cir
cumstances. 1t is very apparent that they
could elect almost any other man in their
party, but they prefer to waste the time and
money of the people to an indefinite extent
rather than elect anybody else, even though
he subscribed to every one of their princi-
pies. 1t is with them n miserable, unworthy
struggle for men. They could, on any day,
by transferring the Banks vote to Mr.. Pen
nington, of New jersey, Mr.. Letter, OF Ohio,
or almost any other man in their party in the
House, end this struggle and organize the
House. But they prefer to act otherwise,
and they must take the responsibility of all
this disgraceful delay, before the country.
1t will be recollected that during the 31st
Congress we had a protracted struggle over
the election of Speaker, of two weeks dura-
ton. What was the action of the Democrats
during this contest? Failing TO concentrate
the full party vote on their nominee, they
- e.. IL. roptlorn,D ~ fl.fr nvfp
party, who, they thought, could be elected,
and, in this way, voted for five or SIX other
Democrats than the nominee, until, under
the plurality rule, a choice was effected. In
that contest it was found that no one party
had a majority in the House, and hence, the
only way of e~ffecting an organization was
through the plurality system. In this Con-
gress it is different. The Know Nothings
have a clear majority Of over sixty votes.-
They came into power on the cry OF Ameri-
cans ruling America. They proclaim them
selves the only ~simon-pure Americans In
their country, and that they were the only
men fitted to rule America. The Democrats,
being in a meagre minority in the House, de
sire to give them a fair chance, and not to in
terfere in any way with the " rule" they pro-
missed the country. We have had a striking
illustration of it in this protracted struggle
They have over sixty majority, | repeat
They are the simon-pure Americans-the
only legitimate rulers of America. Why
don't they organize the House ? All, say
they, the slavery question divides us. In
deed one would suppose that these simon.
pure Americans had but one rule" foi
America. But let MS look farther. Still
with this division, or rather in spite Of 1t, the
Black Republican branch has a majority, and
vet they have failed to organize the House
Why? because even they are divided mp int
cliques. The majority of them say Banks
and nobody else the minority say, anybo
DIV but Banks. The mountain will not 90 tC
Mohammed, and Mohammed will not go t6
the mountain. Such is Black Republican
Know Nothing rule. Certainly the Demo.
Gratis are not responsible for their want o.
harmony and agreement. They were elect
ed against them, and are but exercising theI
constitutional privilege OF voting for a MAJ
who reflects their sentiments, and the senti
ments of the people who sent them here.
But even the few National Know Moth
iDgs, numbering some thirty odd, all told, arr
divided! They cannot agree as to what 1
pure. unauthorized Know N~othingism o
with what kind Of "rule" the american
are to rule America" Mr.. Humphrey Mar
shall, and Mr.. Reade, of n. c., high priest
in the order, protest that the X. n. platform
does not prescribe Roman Catholics, or max
n religious test. Mr.. Eustis, of Louisiana
and Mr.. Walker, Of Alabama, also higl
priests in the order, insist that it does, an'
that they repudiate that portion Of it. Thes'
gentlemen were very fulsome in their praise
Of the Roman Catholics, and defended then
with some warmth. The Catholics are nu
merous in their districts. Mr.. Smith, of Ala
bama. Mr.. Walk, of New York, and Nh
Paine, of n. c., say that the X. n. platform
does intend to prescribe Roman Catholic:
| and they defend and commend it on that &C
count! Was such a party ever before see
in this or any other country? Split into fac
tons, and divided into cliques, with owe
| sixty majority they are unable to elect
Speaker OF the House Of Representatives, an
vet they are the Americans that set up a
| the exclusive rulers Of a great people!
The proceedings of the week have bee
peculiarly rich and amusing. Mr.. Zollicoffe
| of Tennessee, a rampant X. ~, brought fol
ward a resolution that all candidates fc
office should make known their politics
views, and answer all political questions thu
should be put to them, yet, when MIR. Ste
pheng. of Georgia, asked him if he did nc
belong to a party that took an oath bindin
them not to tell the existence of their party
he refused 10 answer The resolution pass
| ed. however, and the candidates were place
on the witness stand to be examined. III
Richardson, of Illinois, the Democratic can
I didate, answered promptly and directly, TIA
questions that were asked him in a straight
forward manner. Mr.. Banks, of Massachu
selts, the Black Republican candidate, mad
a great display of his eagsrness to answer
and did answer very promptly the question
in relation 10 the restoration OF the Mlssoui
restriction over Kansas and Nebraska, bu
when he came to the questions in relation {
Know Nothingism, the abolition Of SLAYER,
| in the District of Columbus, and his views o
the Tariff, he commenced choking dOwT
| and ended by refusing TO answer them, eve
though he himself voted that all candidate
should declare their political views! Nj
Fuller, of Pennsylvania, the candidate Of III
Southern Americans as the Nations
| Know Nothings are called here, answere
very frankly, until he was asked, If he wa
against the appointment of any Roman Cath
ole to office, Here he stalled, and backe
| down. 1t was altogether a very rich scene
But the richest scene of the week weIe TIA
antics of a regular genuine Know Nothin
| from Delaware. lie is a natural Know Moth
ing-a fit sample of his party. He mad
several speeches, but will content myseI
with giving part Of one. He said
Mr.. Cullen. wish tomake a single remark
| | should not have said a word in relation 10 ia
honorable gentleman from Alabama M
| SMITH had IT not been for the remarks jus
now submitted TO the House by the HONORABLE
| gentleman from South Carolina, Mr.. Brooks
| will state here that endorse every wor'
my honorable friend from Alabama said TIA
other day on Catholicism / go against tn
Catholics "a toto. Inever will support them
They are not fit to be supported by Americans
The people Of the State from which come Loo
on them with adherence. A Catholic priest
| short time ago came among ns. He was
stranger. H tau lat the doctrine If purgatory
He let his friends know that with money h
could get their souls outof purgatOry. Laugh
ter. Let me tell the HaUse a remarkable fact