The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-02-05
Where belongs the Responsibility

Yesterday we notified our readers Of the
election of Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives, and gave full abstract telegraphicr reports
of proceedings Immediately preceding the cleo
zion. The Republicans succeeded in electing
their man. We notice that many of the DEM
ocratic Representatives are endeavoring to ex-
cuse themselves to their constituents for the
long delay in the election Of Speaker, and are
seeking to throw the responsibility upon
others. Oar own Representative has at last
found time to write letter home for publca-
ton, in which he thinks the Republicans are
altogether to blame, because they have the
majority, as he says. There is slight error
in this. The Republicans like the Democrats
except to not so great an extent, are in the
minority in the House. They had to have
aid from some quarter to elect Speaker, with
o full House present. They stuck to the
principles under which they were elected, and
having number nearly equal to that of the
Americans and Democrats combined, it could
not have been seriously expected, nor was it
their duty, to compromise for the election Of
either an American or Democrat. We say
this at the same time our feelings were with
the National Americans. We are glad to per-
seive that bitter enemy of the Republicans, the
Louisville Democrat, maintains the same
position. In the Democrat Of one day last
week, we find the following:
The Black Republicans have an object which
their party sent them there to accomplish; are
they to blame for consistency-for doing what
they promised? If they should now face about
and help put a man in the Chair who would
oppose all their schemes and thwart ali their
purposes, it would be a strange and demoraliZ-
ing spectacle. 1t would show q disregard Of
principle that would shock the moral sense Of
all men. To be sure it would be an infinite
advantage to the country if such a party were
swept out Of existence but such mode of do
ing it, as that Of whole party disregarding
all its professions would be disgusting. Ii
would be purchasing peace at too high price
But if any one party is more to blame thar
another for this long delay, it is the Admins
tration party. At the start they threw out q
defiant caucus resolution declaring against al
compromise, and signifying in plain lang
the Speaker had to be elected without theil
help unless he were Democrat. They
selected man more Objectionable to the Re
publicans than any other man in the House
inasmuch as he had been the champion ant
leader in carrying the Kansas Nebraska Bill
through the House in 1854. Thus the Demo
cratic minority blocked the way for any com
promise, and folding their arms, refused any
practical aid in solving the difficulty. And We
they were representing the Administration
which had everything to gain and nothing tt
lose by an early organization. Standing thus
and small minority, everything demanded
compromise from them first But so deter
H1isasd were they to have Richardson and no
body else, than they refused to compromise b,
electing another Democrat, Smith, of Virginia
when they had chance to do so. Smith wa
less Objectionable to the Republicans, and h
received one time outside votes enough to hav
elected him, had the Democrats sustained hin
cordially.
Finally, they were obliged to give up MI
Richardson. His old views on the Wilmo
Proviso, &c, were brought up, and it becam
matter of necessity to have some other can
ddate Aiken, Of South Carolina, was unite
upon, but with the understanding as comprc
mise to get American votes, that he did nc
stand upon the Democratic caucus platform
Thus things stood when the Plurality yot
passed. We think that all parties were MOI
or less to blame for the delay, but the DEMO-
racy the most, as being least compromise an
as representing the administration.
A Bad Fire.