The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1859-12-17
L A r EST EW S
Thirty-SiXth CGngress-First ses-
sion.

sion.
WASHINGTON, Dec. lG.
The Senate is not in session to-day, hav-
ing adjourned over to Monday.
HOUSE
The House met at the usual hour.
On motion of Mr.. Niblack, it was resolved
that until the election of Speaker shall
have taken place, the Clerk of the last
House be authorized to exercise the power
devolving on the Speaker for preserving or
der in the galleries and on the floor of the
House for the time being, under the rules of
the last House, and that the Sergeant at Arms
for the like purpose, be under the direction
of the Clerk.
Mr.. Durham said the whole country were
anxiously looking to the aspect of affairs
here, and inquiring why we did not elect a
Speaper. The reason was the majority OF
the House were unwilling to place in that
chair the endorser of the infamous Helper
book and deem themselves justified in resist
ing his election by all fair and honorable
means. He had nothing to say against Mr..
Sherman personally, but referred to him
politically, and cordially assented to the re.
solution that neither he nor any OF her man
who endorsed Mr.. Helpers book was fit to
be Speaker. He believed it was fatal er-
ror, when the Missouri Compromise was ac-
cepted by the South, for it has only en-
couraged Northern aggressions against slave
ry.
He referred to Mr.. Hickman as renaoade
to his party, when he voted for Mr.. Giddings
motion to reject the Senate bill for the ad-
mission of Kansas. Every one supposed he
would finally land ON the Republican side,
although he has since claimed to be Demo-
crat, his vote yesterday for Mr.. Sherman
settled the question that he is no longer a
Democrat. 1t has been sought to elect a
| Speaker by the plurality rule, which he be-
lieves unconstitutional, for the reason that
none but majority could elect Speaker.
1t had been said that there are precedents
for its adoption. Mr.. Banks had not refused
as had Mr.. Sherman to repudiate the in
| famous teachings of Helpers book, for the
! abolition of slavery and insurrection. In re-
| ply to Mr.. Hickman he said, that the South
claimed to have the right to carry slavery
into the common Territories and have it
| protected like other property by territorial
law, and refusing to offer that protection
by positive hostile enactment, the South
while denying the right of Congress or Ter
| ritorial Legislature to abolish, or prohibit,
| or establish slavery in the Territories, claim
ed that is is the duty of Congress OF Terri
| torial Legislature to protect it while there.
| He replied to Mr.. Nelson more, he said in
| sorrow than in anger, and refuted the COM
| mon cant that General Jackson had put
down notification, defending South Carolina
in her course at that period. That gentle
man had spoken of the Union as more i'm
portant than the Constitution, but those
whom he Mr.. Bonham) represented look to
every part of the Constitution as more i'm
portant than the Union.
The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Hickman) had spoken of forcing the South
back into the Union, should she see proper
to retire But whenever it is found expedi-
ent to do so, the Union no longer exists
He said without hesitation that on the cleo
ton of MIR. Seward, or any other man who
endorses and proclaims and holds to the sen.
timent declared by MrESeward, call the par
ty OF what name you please, he was in IA
yor of immediate disunion; and he thought
he spoke the sentiments of his entire
State.
How then could it be expected that
Southern gentlemen can consent to the cleo
ton of MIR Sherman, who comes here reek-
ing from the pollution of doctrines adverse
to Southern interests. The resolution of Mr.
Clark, OF Missouri, was proper under these
circumstances, and he named gentlemen that
they would preserve slavery or perish ia the
attempt. His patriotism began at home,
and he was for South Carolina against the
world.
MIR MilIson made an explanation, denying
that he ever said that any man who endors-
ed Helpers book was not tit to live.