Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-19


weeks had passed, and the House yet remained
without an organization Their constituents were
not Indifferent spectators, but viewed with anx-
iety and alarm this extraordinary condition OF
things IL seemed 10 him that IL would not be un-
profitable orthsm 10 revert 10 The history of The last
few years, for the purpose of inquirng into The
causes which had produced this somuch TO be-re-
GREETED condition of affairs. they could come 10
a correct understanding of those causes, possibly
they might be enabled 10 relieve the country from
the embarrassment under which il laborng
in consequence of the obstruction 10 the ordinary
working of the Government caused by he paraly-
sis which now rested upon the legislative depart
ment of the Government.
For the first time, he believed, in the history OF
the country, found sectional party in the
House. willing TO elect a Speaker 10 preside over
It's deliberations by sectional votes alone. There
was not a gentleman voting for Mr.. Banks, The
candidate OF that sectional organization, who
would rise in his place and say that he had The
slightest hope of obtaining single vote for the
gentleman from Massachusetts from that portion
OF the Confederacy lying south of Masons and
Dxons line. Surely such an organization, thus
depending upon its own section for the further
ance or its own peculiar views, could not claim
10 be national, and its success would produce
state OF feeling that would shake this glorious
Union 10 in very foundation.
II might be that il was the duty of the section
Of the conlederacy from which he came 10 pre-.
sent the same united front in behalf of It's inie.
rests was presented by the North in behalf of
the abstraction which fanatclsm had enabled 10
rule the hour. With this view his honorable
friend from Alabama (Mr. WALKER,) for The pnr-
pose of effeclng, if possible, speedy organization
of the House upon sound cons ervative principles
had proposed 10 the friends of the Administration,
weeks ago, 10 unite in a conference OF national
men 10 ascertain if that desirable object could be
attained. He regretted 10 bL compelled 10 say
that that proposition, made in the spirit in which
it was, was repealed by those TO whom it was
made, Notwithstanding they were aware OF The
fact that in such a conference they would have
had a majority of two 10 one, and the power 10
adopt whatever measures they might have de-
sired, The people of the country might well draw
from this refusal the inference that gentlemen of
the Democratic party recollecied that they had
party TO save, but failed 10 remember that they
had country 10 serve.
But 10 what was this agitation upon a subject
so franght with evil justly attributable? Il was
10 be attributed 10 the conduci of the Admnstra-
ton and its frendsa at The last Congress in forcing
reopening of the question Of slavery, which
both parties were pledged by their National Nomi-
mating Conventions of 1852 TO keep out of Con-
gress and rePress in the country The Two great
political parties that then divided the country
were pledged by their National Nominating Con-
ventons 10 abide by the compromise measures of
lS3O, as hnal settlement of this a2iatpg subject;
and upon that pledge the present Administration
fai come into power. Scarcely, however. was il
Installed in power before il violated that pledge.
Mr.. G. then contended that the Democratic
party first gave cause for the organization of sec
tlona parties. BY the resolution adopted in the
causus OF the Administration party the Saturday
preceding the day fixed for the meeting Of Con-
gress they had planted themselves, not upon their
Old Time. honored principles but upon those con-
tanned in the Kansas Nebraska bili-lhe very bill
which had created the present agitation and led
10 the formation of sectional parties.
Mr.. q. then examined the principles of the
Kansas-Nebraska act. He condemned "squatter
sovereignty declaring that il was principle
which the people of Virginia had ever repudiaied,
ana objected 10 the clause granting 10 foreigners
the privilege of suffrage.
Mr.. RICHARDSON. of Illinois, desired 10 know
u the gentleman would have voted against The
kansas-Nebraska bill had he been member of
the Congress by which it was passed?
Mr. CAkLlLE replied that he had been mem
Der OF that Congress, acting, as he had always
done, according TO the dictates of his judg.
ment, regardless of the consequences 10 himself,
he should certainly have voted against that meas
ure, and Tor two reason, if not more. The first OF
those reasoGs was that il would reopen the ques-
lion OF slavery, without bringing 10 the South any
practical good, and violate the pledged faith OF the
Two great parties, as given by their National Con-
ventlons The second was that il asserted the
doctrine OF "squatter sovereignty which Virginia
had ever repudiated. He was free 10 admit. how
ever. that, like the able, distinguished and patriotic
gentleman from Pennsylvania, (Mr. FULLER,l he
would under no circumstances vote for The repeal
OF that measure, because, by 40 doing, he would
aid that very agitation which he had urged
objection 10 its passage.
Mr.. CARLILE was then prevented from conclud-
ing his remarks IN consequence of a question Of
order being raised that he had exceeded the time
which u was understood he was 10 occupy.
Mr. ORR, of South Carolina, moved 10 rescind
the ten minutes rule. He hoped the motion would
prevail. as he thought il but inst that an OPP
portunity should be afforded to gentlemen 70 reply
TO the extended remarks the honorable member
from Virginia.
Alter some conversation
Mr.. CAMPBELL. of Ohio, moved 10 amend the
motion as 10 provide for evening sessions, CON-
mencing al seven o'clock, at which debate should
be IN order, but no motion 10 be made except to
adjourn.
Mr.. McMULLEN then briefly replied 10 the
remarks of his colleague, (Mr CARLfLE) He had
hoped that family jars would have been confined
10 other States, and that the Virginia delegation
would have stood here one man in vndcation
oil the Constitution and the rights of the whole
country.
Mr.. ORR, OF South Carolina, gave notice that
when an opportunity should present itself he
would reply 10 some Of the views expressed by
the gentleman from Virginia and others with re.
ference 10 the principles Of the Kansas Nebraska
act.
An extended debate ensued between Messrs
STEPHENS, Of Georgia. ZOLLICOFFER, OF
Tennessee. and WASHBURN, OF Maine. on the
subject Of the restriction OF slavery in the Terri
tories, during which Mr. STEPHENS defined his
Mr.. ORR then Withdrew his motion.
The one hundreda and sixteenth vote for Speaker
was then had, and resulted follows;
Mr.. Banks, OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 81
Richardson. Of ILL.,. ............. GS
Fuller, OF Penn. 30
Pennington, OF N. J............. 8
Scattering ....................
Whole number OF votes. ......... 203
Necessary 10 choice ........... l02
No choice having been Effected
Mr.. WILLIAMS, Of New York, offered the
following resolution:
ResoiDed, That the House will proceed immedi-
atsly TO the election Of Speaker viva roc, ; and
IT. afer the roll shall have been called three times,
no member shall have received a majority OF The
whole number of votes. the roll shall again be
called, and the member who shall then receive the
highest number Of votes, provided il be a majority
Of quorum, shall be declared 10 be chosen