Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-12-24
The Speakcrship.

! complicated, and have reached that point where
success appears To depend entirely upon q yield
ing Of the Democratic members 10 the impulses of
patriotism. even at the cost Of n party triumph; aud
we have no hesitation in making the declaration
thar u failure to organize now, will be justly
chargcablo to the Democratic members. Let
the public note carefully the facts in the case, and
not be mislcd by the miserable twaddle Of the De-
mocratic press aud party Ever prone. to charge
the results Of their own misdeeds upon others.
When the present Congress met. the popular
branch WINS divided into three parties. neither of
them having n majority of all tho votes. They
we're each minority parties, and according to the
Democratic principle that majorities only shall
govern. neither Of these parties were entitled to
any pre-eminence; as it was only by a combination
of any two Of them, that u controlling majority
could DO secured. The Republican was nuncri-
cally the stronger party, holding almost u majori-
ty in the House. Under these circumstances and
to remove the organization from the control of n
sectional party, it was the duty of the other par
ties claiming 10 be national. to come to some un-
dcrs,anding. whereby a speedy organization could
DO effected, aud the Black Republicans defeated.
The Democratic members, though outnumbering
the National Opposition, constituted scarcely more
than onc.ihirJ Of the House, and were as impo-
tent to effect anything OF themselves, rs were the
Americans. Being the larger however, of the two.
it WAS incumbent upon them to make some over
ture to the former. whereby an honorable alliance
could have been entered into, the Republicans de-
frated, and the business, Of Congress have pro-
gresscd. They could have done this without sub
jcc,ing their motives to tho danger Of being i'm.
pcachel. WILTSHIRE Americans were cstopped from
such II course. Tho Democrats could have excr-
cised somo mnSnanimity, had they been capable
of it. But what did they do? They assembled
at the Capitol. and, intent only upon maintaining
the supremacy Of heir pnr ty, held their caucus. and
ignorcl completely the conservative Opposition.
What right hnd they to expect that tho Southern
Opposition would submit to such humilistion; de-
base their manhood in the dust, and rally to the
support Of II pnrty TINT had them with such
81 pcrcilious arrogance and contempt. The South
crn Opposition would have been less than men to
have submitted to such degrading terms, and to have
struck their flag without exchanging u shot. I'm
der these circumstances they did what they ought
llNP t1Ilb mtlnIiihcu tHciT pOSlllon DctWttn
the two sectional parties, until the Dom 'cracv
were compelled to abandon their caucus nominee.
Although it was apparent from the first that no
Dcmpcrat could be elected Speaker, ana
chat the only hope of organization was in the
selection Of II candidate from the conservative
Opposition who could concentrate that vote, togo.
ther with the anti l.ecompton Democrats, tho
~ "a Inra ,f tIn Pa ,,,lo'S marty Irnm New ,lprspv
and pcnnevlvanin, and the Southern Democrat.
These votes coul have been concentrated on Mr..
Gilmcr, Of North Carolina, and by The aid If the
Democrats, would have insured him a clear majo-
tity of the whole House. The last vote received
by Mr.. Gilmer, prior to his withdrawal demon .
stratnd this. And whit reasonable objection
could DO broaghl against Mr.. Gilmers Is he not
a Southern man. largely interested in Southern
notwithstanding more slaves. it is said, than
tho whole Va, delegation combined. A man who
has II yer uttered II single sentiment inimical to
the interests Of his section and could he not lie
trnsted If not, who can? But, after the with
irawul Of Mr.. Blcock, the caucus nominee, and
The retirement of Me.srs. G,lmer and Boteler
from tho contest, the latter nominated General
Millson. n member OF the Virginia delegation,
and u Democrat, for whom IL large portion Of the
Southern Opposition east their votes. Aud yet,
the inability Of General Millson, one Of the most
unexccptionablc of his party, to concentrate votes
enough to secure his election. furnishes efficient
evidence, if further evidence were wanting. of the
utter imposSibility of clrcting any Democrat to
that position. The members Of the Peoples par
ty Of Pennsylvania, whose views upon the tariff
coincide with those Of the President will support
no free trade Southern Democrat for that position.
The anti. Lccomptoon Democrats will not Vote for
amy Administrator Democrat, and hence tho utter
impossibility. even il the Southern Democrats and
South Americans unite, of el,ctins n Democratic
Speaker.
What, under these circumstances, is the duty OF
the Southern Democrats. if thev really desire to
prevent the election Of n Black Republican ?
Why, manlfestly, to support Mr.. Gilmcr. who can
be elected if they will vote for him. After the
nomination hv II South American, of a Democrat
for Speaker, and the support of the larger portion
of the Southern Opposition, it would be n grace.
inl tribute to the patriotism Of that party and mn
acknowledgment of their iealty to the South. to
support one If their number.
Will the Democratic members do it? We AZ.
swer uuh"si.atinriy-no. They would rather sec
u Black Republican elected, that they might make
capital ont of it. Messrs. Garnett. of Virginia,
and Burnett, of Kentucky, declared positively in
tie House that they would not support Mr.. Gil.
mer. Under these circumstances, it is plainly the
duty of the Southern Opposition to adhere to Mr..
GIImer and let the responsibility of the non.or.a-
nization of tho House, or the election OF n Black
Republican, rest where it belongs-upon the fac
tious Democracy. They can make no further
concession, that, in view If the facts stated. would
not amount To u sncrifcn Of self resnect w