The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-02-09

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that gentleman. In 1s48 he was admitted
TO the bar, and in the same year he was cleo
ted member Of the Massachusetts House
Of Representatives., to represent his native
town, Waltham. In 1851 he was elected
both to the Senate and House, but accepted
seat in the latter body, and was chosen
Speaker. In 1852 he was elected again to
the House, and again called to the Speakers
chair. During the same year he was elected
to Congress for the ensuing term, and in the
interim between election and the occupancy
of the seat, he was chosen member of the
Constitutional Convention of Massachusetts.
OF that body he was made President, though
it contained men of the stamp Of Judge
Sprague, Gov. Briggs, Rufus Choate, Gen.
Wilson. Gov Morton, and others Of long ex
peYience and conceded talents. On the ter
mination of his Congressional term, he was
reelected, and now occupies his seat on the
commencement Of new term, where he has
! again been called to the position which has
so frequently and singularly fallen to his
/ lot,-that of presiding over the body Of
which he is member.
/ AS a lawyer, Mr.. Banks disappointed his
| friends, who anticipated much from him.
lie achieved no marked success, either be-
fore courts or juries, and did not seem to
take that interest in the profession which is
necessary to the acquisition of its honors.
tie Is by natural inclination politician, and
politics soon became the one theatre for the
display of his talents and The exercise Of his
influence. In lS40 he was an ardent sup
porter Of Van Buren,. lie tered the Mas
sachusetts House in ls4s as supporter OF
Cass on the Nicholson platform. That was
; the year when the Democracy Of Massachu-
sets run down under the auspices of Cass
and Cushing, and there were only twenty
Democrats in the body of which he was n
member. In the proceedings Of the House
he took an active part. The reputation he
acquired during that session, gay ham a TO-
stion in Massachusetts politics, ana was
DOUBTLESS the cause Of his being returned
, again in 1851. During the canvass of 1851
} he urged union Of the Free Soil and Dem
the party triumphed. A portion of he De
mocracv protested against such union but
the "Barnburner' Democrats prevailed in
the counseis of the party The election Of
Speaker was brought about BY the same ar
rangement, the Bnrnburner and Free Soil
representatives uniting upon Mr.. Banks. He
was reelected 70 the same BODY and the same
Office, and to his first seat In Congress, un-
der the same auspices. He was elected the
second time to Congress as a regularly
nominated candidate both Of the Democrats
and Know Nothings. Some Of the Demo
Gratis bolted him, because Of his being can
| didate Of any other party besides their own,
but nevertheless he was returned by the large
of Congress which passed the Nebraska bill,
Mr.. Banks took an active part, and opposed
the bill with all his strength, though he voted
! for taking it out Of committee, contrary to
the general voice and conduct Of the oppo-
nents Of that bill But that Congress was
enough to open his eyes to the true charac-
ter and tendencies Of Democracy, ''fasely
| So ealed,n and be went home somewhat
| changed in opinion, as a man of integrity,
who has had his eyes opened, could not fail
of doing. The proposition had then just
been made to organize the Republican party.
With that movemen, he sympathized heartily,
IN threw his influence in its favor He op-
posed not only the Democratic nominee, but
| also the reelection of Coy. Gardner, and
sustained the Republican cause and ticket
throughout. And he stands TO-DAY good
representative Of the principles OF that par
tF, firm and unhinchlng, upon the one great
Issue, having thrown all previous and subor-
dlnate issues behind him, pledged to stand or
tall with the fortunes and principles Of that
! party to which by the thorough conviction
! Of his mature Judgment lie attached himself
on the moment Of It's inception, and Of which
he now occupies its highest official position.
! Mr.. Banks has wife AMI two children.
He was born IN 1916, and is now forty wears
old. In his personal habits he is uncommon
| ly abstemious, and has pale, scholarly look.
tie y as fond Of literature as Of politics, and
has become the master Of several European
languages. His appearance would indicate
choice Of life different from that boisterous
I political career for which he has been distn
gulshed, and it is said that he is really
fond of retirement and quiet.
His style of oratory is peculiar, though
aim, pointed, peryaded with force ana can
DOR and exceedingly effective. In the region
where he has spent his life, and where the
standard of oratorical excellence is high. he
Is favorite, and more than that could herd