The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-06

THE PRESERVATION, PROPAGATION, AND PER
PErUAroN OF SLAVERY, THE VITAL AND
ANINATING SPIRIT OF THE NATIONAL Gov
ERNMENT'-JoHS QUTNcY ADAMS.
No. 6.
The House of Representatives. Of the Thir-
teth Congress, elected in the midst of the agi-
tson created by the annexation Of Texas and
the war with Mexico, was composed of uncom-
monty good materials. The leaders of the
Wing party, especially, whatever might be
their own secret inclinations, had found it ne.
cessary to yield to the honest feeling of their
associates; and many Northern districts had
sent representatives intelligent and resolute
upon the great question. The Oligarchy, fear
ful Of the action Of House so constituted,
knew perfectly well that there was one way,
eiectual above all others, to disarm it. There
is scarcely any ofiice-Lhe Presidency itself is
hardly an exception-about which the ProSla-
very politicians have always been so solicitous,
as that Of the Speakership of the House. And
reasonably. If it would be too much to say
that sklful Speaker does with the House al
most as he will, certain it is that he exerts
He bases, or, it may be, corrupts members, by
his distribution of the distinctions at his dispo-
sal. The direction which it is his prerogative
TO give to the forms of business, including his
decision Of questions Of order, amounts often to
nothing less than the determination Of the fate
ola measure. Of still higher practical import
ance even than this, is his function of appoint
Ing the Committees, to whose management and
disposal all matters are referred in their first
stage. If it was unavoidable for Committees
to mature and report some action on questions
submitted to them, their power in determining
the character of that action would still be i'm
mense. But they have another power, which,
Tor many purposes is absolute and final By
abstaining from making any report upon
question, they withhold it from the considera.
ton Of the House, and effectually smother it to
death.
In the sensitive state of feeling at that time
prevailing at the North, to soothe and beguile
that section, by taking the Speaker from it, was
the obvious policy of the Slave Power, provided
Northern Representative could be found suf-
capacity which could be depended on to carry
ihem ont. As 3 compliment, the place was
Inst offered, by vote in caucus, to Mr.. Vinton,
OF Ohio, an eminent Representative in former
Congresses. He declined it, as it was understood
taat he would do. His voice and health were
iseble' and he had had no practice to give him
special aptitude for presiding. Mr.. Winthrop,
o. Massachusetts,, who, for some time before,
had been looked to as the real candidate, was
then designated as such by q majority of votes
over Mr.. Caleb b. Smith, of Indiana, whose
claims were favored by the Anti-Slavery por-
lion Of the party.* Mr.. Winthrop's general
course IN Congress, and particularly his recent
acton IN respect to the annexation of Texas
aud the war with Mexico, las to which latter
measure he had separated himself from every
VAer member of the Massachusetts delegation,
o. any note,) had convinced his Pro Slavery fell
DS'"higs that their concerns would be suffi-
GENTLY safe in his hands, and that, as things
5000, they could do no better and, with the
% a.! OF some of their sympathizers from the
rOr'h' they secured to him the nomination of
,neir party, which was supposed to be equiva-
!gn' to an election, the party having two or
'nree majority in the House.
Three members disappointed those who had
Apeeted them to give their votes to Mr.. Win
Wfop-Mr. Giddings, Mr.. Tuck, of New Hamp-
SSliTe and Mr.. Pslfrey, of Massachusetts,. They
Aa watched his course, and could not see it to
De consistent with their personal honor, or their
Tl'Igatlons to the country, to invest him with
lae power of the Speakers chair. In q cores
fonaehce with one of them, before the election,
&c referred to his former votes and speeches as
no'estng the policy he should pursue. any
.Otes are on record, he said, my speeches are
PRINT They well remembered both votes
1u speeches; the votes, for instance, for &C.
.OnlnOdatlng the Slave Power in the declara-
uOn and maintenance of the Mexican war; the
eecn' Tor instance, in the House, six weeks
er Inc declaration of war, and the more re-
eul one In Faneuil Hall, in which he had at
@np,ed to vindicate this conduct. At the first
W hals, ne failed of an election. As things
s.. was material to the Slave Power inter
~ ~ luat ne should be chosen and accordingly,
=, ~ ue third trial, he was chosen by one major
~ through the withdrawal of the votes of Mr..
oS O lines OF South Carolina, and Mr.. Tompkins,
Candidates. e' '0' 0o'
81 Mr. Winthrop's course as Speaker confirmed
~ NE apprehensions which had been entertain.
me-, " me Anti-Slavery members. His Com.
dc were constituted in way to satisfy the
LII inaht power. Those on Ways and Means
on; On Foreign Relations, with Mr.. Vinton, Of
IsaS and Mr.. Smith, of Connecticut, at their
NJ made no movement to arrest the war
Ls,. lngersoll, of Philadelphia, and his col
All ue es on the Judiciary Committee, steadily
ONE sneetually buried out of sight the numer
petitions which had been referred to them
vso noT;S southern Wings opposed the wilmot Pro
uinlmaed Mr.. Winthrop in caucus in opposition 4
The W. OF the Northern Wings who were in favor
Mr. Wiu rfovlso, and who opposed the nomination o
from en-. LensT Of L. Z. ffosne., Representanr