The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-16

new yellow ana Whte SOutncrn AZ SIC. S13C.
Rye was in good demand, with sales from store at
1900. Pork was Armer and higher. Sales of mess
were made at sic so a SIG IS. Sugars were frmer
with sale of New Orleans at SEC. &C., with
small sale Of boxes at SIC. Coffee was steady and
a cargo of 1850 bags was sold on private terms
Freights were firm for London and Liverpool, with
fair engagements. To the Continent they were
quiet, without change of moment in quotations.
-----
The speakership, the Three Parties and the
Constitution.
More than hundred ballots six weeks of
fruitless efforts to elect presiding officer, aud
the disclosures of the debate on Saturday last
which we give in another column-have
served at least to exhibit the utter partizan
character of the present House of Representa-
tives. In this whole business there is but one
guide for all honest men--it is the Constitution
of the United States. Parties ought to be
known, sustained or opposed by their adhesion
or avoidance of that compact. Mere matters
of policy we have had enough of. We have
had it in the origin Of the Wilmot Provso--we
have had il in the detection of the Van Burens
in 1s4S-we have had it in the whole course Of
that prescribed national men in ls53-it was
policy that reorganized the Northern elements
Of fanatieism-those elements which were
wholly developed by the agitation Of the
Proviso. 1t was that Proviso, indeed, which
constituted the source CT all the divisions 10
the democratic party, and which has utterly
destroyed the old whig organization. Well,
~ H.. Ill .f IL; Oh
of the Proviso- enough Of agitation enough
of abolition enough Of contention between
the North and the South.
In the election Of a Speaker to the present
House, it is impossible to disregard the past.
We admit that aside from the fierce disturb
ances we have encountered on the
slavery question, it would not be
important whether the presiding off,
Ger was Of this or that opinion upon the
powers of Congress over the subject of slavery.
1t is the majority that must rule in that hoaS;
and il the abolitionists have that majority
they have the power to select their Speaker; if
they have not to permit an election of one Of
their number would indicate shocking state
Of demoralization-a superior devotion of the
majority to the interests Of party over the
higher interests of the constitution. Under
such circumstances, and in view OF the unmis-
takeable fact that the House is composed
chiefly of national men, the question is mar
rowed down to the duties and obligations Of
the democrats sustaining Richardson, aud the
national Know Nothings sustaining Fuller.
United, these interests constitute the controll-
ing force Of the body.
The debate on Saturday has served an excel
lent purpose. 1t has disclosed the position Of
Banks as the standard bearer Of the black re-
publicans. 1t has shown the motive which
first placed Campbell, of Ohio, in nomination
and so soon dropped him to bring the Seward
phalanx into line in favor of Banks. The de-
sign of the black republicans is now seen to
have been to assume the offensive in Congress
by the election Of their Speaker, the appoint
ment of the committees and subordinates of
the body. Banks occupied triple ground. He
was Seward abolitionist, Know Nothing
abolitionist and the policy candidate of Pierce,
McClelland and Cushing Of the administration.
Thus sustained he has failed His fall has re-
duced him to the position of an open enemy to
the constitution and to the peace and harmony
Of the Union.
After this, to the extent that he is sustained,
to that extent disunion is rife in the American
House Of Representatives; to that extent are
his supporters in open rebellion against all
the highest interests Of the people Of the United
States.
There are, ma,ifestly, two ways TO support
Mr. Banks: by voting for him and by dividing
the vote of his opponents who concur in the
evil OF his election. Colonel Richardson, sus-
tanned by the democracy, although in our
judgment little shaky on the Wilmot Proviso,
or more likely the thoughtless utterer of senti-
ments he does not sanction, cannot longer COM
plain either Of the want OF constancy on the
part OF his friends, or their devotion to the
mere obligations of the party to which he and
they belong. If the Wilmot Proviso was con-
stitntional, the Missouri Compromise was con-
stitutional. We believe there is no power 10
Congress to establish such inequalities as are
produced by either. If there is power to pro
hibit, there is power to establish slavery;
and on reflection we feel certain that Colo
mel Richardson will concur with US in this
position. No matter, he can no longer be
urged for Speaker without, in effect making
his supporters parties to the final triumph Of Mr.
Banks. Precisely SO it is, even, too, with in
creased force, with the friends Of Mr. Fuller.
They occupy grounds of utter hostility to the
black republicans. They continue to sustain
Fuller to give effect to their position. They
have between thirty and forty votes out Of
two hundred and thirty Of which the House is
composed. Is il not nantes. to the friends of
Mr.. Fuller that as distinct, positive force
they amount to nothing?-that they can be
truly serviceable only in producing given
result such as they claim by virtue of their
principles, by uniting with those nearest to them
- liz. Pr allar;1as