Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-12-21
Congress-.

Congress. |
Up to the latest dates the Senate had taken no I
action on Mr.. Masons resolution of inquiry into the
Harpers Ferry outrage, and no Speaker Of the
House had been elected.
The correspondents of the New York papers state |
that the South Americans held caucus on Saturday
night last to consider proposition from the Demo-
Gratis to unite with them in the election of Speaker
The correspondent of the Herald says:
1.-The programme was that if the South Americans !
could procure for their candidate twentyseven votes,
that democrats would 20 to them and do their best
to elect the man whom they would select; but upon
failure, if the democrats could procure !or their
own candidate (Mr Bocock) ninety three votes that
the Americans should 60 over and help elect him.
After free discussion of this proposition, the
Americans respectfully declined ......-
The organ of the democrats was Gov: Winslow,
of North Carolina There were twenty-five South
Americans present. Mr.. Davis, of Maryland, was
the absentee.
Mr.. Ethel ,idgc, of Tennessee, denounced the pro-
position in the strongest terms and contended that
the republican party, by their record was really the
most economical national and conservative of the
two great parties in the country, while the admins
tration party, in spite of Mr.. Buchanan, was the
most corrupt and imbecie that ever'existed since
the formation of the government-that their preten
sions of love for the Union all moonshine, and
ought not to be needed. His remarks were enthu-
siastically received. Other gentlemen spoke in a
similar strain"
We do not know how much truth there is in the
foregoing, but We give it for what it is worth If
Mr.. Etheridge really uttered these sentiments he
might as we'll 60 at once to the black Repub
cans. Mr.. G;lmer votes for Mr.. Etheridge for
Speaker.
In the Senate, on Monday Mr. johnson, of Ten
nessee, made an able speech the slavery question
In the House, the same day, Mr.. Noell, of
Missouri, excorated Mr. Glmer for the laid and
comfort which he is giving to the black Republi-
by his amendment to Mr. Clark's resolution
denouncing the endorsers of Helpers book After
showing the predlicamcnt in which the black Repuh-
licans had placed themselves by nominating Shcr-
man, one of the endorsers of Helpers book, he said:
"Sir it was beyond their power to have offered
the amendment which presented by the gentle
man from North Carolina Mr. Gilmcr. And whyy
Because there is not of them who had not op-
posed with all his power every proposition contain
ed in that amendment. 1t was, therefore, beyond
their reach; it impossible for them to get at it;
and--I speak it with humiliation and shame-they
found upon this floor gentleman who could place
this inStrumentality within their reach who occu-
pied different position 1t was at this critical mo-
ment, when there SET, med no means by which they
could dodge the responsibility, that the gentleman
from North Carolina Mr. Gilmerj interposed with
his blanket amendment, to corer Orer their iniqui-
ties"
Mr. Gilmer WINGED under the hot shot which Mr.
Noell poured into him. and endcavored to interrupt
him. but Mr.. N. cut him short and proceeded He
told the House, and proved what he said, that Mr.
Glmer's amendment was INTENDED to screen the
Republicans of this House from the responsibility
attached to the signing of the Helper circular"
On the same day Haskin, of New York, and Tck-
man, of Pennsylvania, anti-L Lecompton Democrats,
assailed the administration in severe terms, and
gave their reasons for afiliating with the black
Republicans Mr. Hickman concluded his remarks
with the following insulting allusion to the South:
IL know many men have been alarmed in time
past at the cries of dissolution; but have never
yet seen northern man who expressed any alarm
as to the results Of dissolution of the Union.
will state what my conviction is on the lject
do not know, however; that thoroughly understand
! what is meant by dissolution of the Union If il
means dividing line of sentiment between the
/ North and South, and virtual non-intercoursc, why
We have reached that dissolution air ,ady; for north
ern men cannot travel in the South and. as
understand it. any postmaster in any village of the
! South where the receipts of the office would moi
amount to five dollars, can, if letter bearing my
frank goes INTO his hands, open it, examine it, anC
burn it. OH the pretcxt that it is lncendiary. Sir
We have reached that dividing line between tho
North and the South. But. if dissolution mean.
that there is to be division of territory by MaSor
L. Dixons line, Or by any other line, say "no )
that shall never be. | express my .opinion-ant
that opinion may go before the country, whether
false or true-when I say "Ho;" the North vii
never tolerate division of the territory. Applause
from the republican benches.
Mr.. Garrcll should like to know how you art
to prevent it. -,
vented am neither prophet the of
prophet; but express my conviction that there is al
much true courage in the North, though it may no
be known by the name of chivalry, lsensation, al
there is in the South. | do not use the word con
temptuouslv for | admire chivary everywhere
There is as much true courage at the North as her
is at the South. always believed it, and, therefore
| will express it; anil believe, sir, that with al
the appliances of art to assist eighteen millions o
men reared to industry, with habits of the righ
kind. will always be able to cope successfully, if i
need be, with eight millions Of men without theS
auxillaries Great sensation some applause from
the Republican benches and the galleries. and hisse
in other parts of the Hall.
WASHINGTON, Dec. H.
SENArE-Mr. Wade saw nothing improper ii
Helpers book and eulog1zcd Brown as hero. 4
discussion ensued respecting Helpers book in which
Messrs. Brown, Mallory and Clingman participated
Messrs. Mason and Bigler spoke in calm and temper
ate language in reply to Mr.. Wade. Mr.. Mason!
resolution to inquire into the Harper's Ferry inva
sion unanimously adopted
HousE-Mr. McRae made an able defence of th'
South. Mr. Vallandisham exposed the atrocities o
Helper and his associates, and referred to his nfa
insur, ection. Mr.. Ashmore said such principles
were now being carried out in his district where al
infamous man had been arrested for having in hi
possession copies of Helpers book.
Mr.. Cobb said, "hang him!"
Mr.. Ashmore said they would, and in earnes
language; for which he was applauded lie alluded
to Helper as renegade thief who dared not to re
turn to the State that gave him birth.
ballot wa; then taken. for Speaker with tn