Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-12-19

In the House OF Representatives on iHc
18th, Mr.. MCRAE, OF MISS, in the course OF "a
long speech. argued to show that the South
ern Opposition members were responsible for
the failure of the House to organize. He
claimed that the democratic strength was
ninety-three, which added to the twcnty-thrce
votes of the Southern Opposition would
make II6, majority; and he assumed it to
be the duty OF the latter to cooperate with
the former.
Mr. ETHERrDGE Gnterrupting him) stated
that the democratic candidate, Mr.. BoCoCK,
had never got more than lightweight votes
during a weeks ballo;ing, and it was not pro-
babe that he could carry ninety-three-his
eighty EIGHT votes, combined with the South
ern Opposition vote of twenty-threc would
no, make an election. Il know said Mr..
E.. "t that the southern Opposition can com
mand for Mr.. GHMER. or some other gentle
man of their number, more than thirty votes.
Now. ask gentlemen upon the other side 1t
they will come over to the soathern Opposition
and help us elect Mr.. GIIMEE? We have
been waiting to see Mr.. BOCOCK's strength.
We can show at any time, in my opinion,
thirty votes, or more for the gentleman for
whom we have voted, [Mr. GILaER,l and l
desire to know whether gentlemen upon the
other side will come over and help us elect
him! ask the question only in that con
t.ngency."
Mr.. McRAE failed TO give q direct response
I the inIerrogatory of Mr.. ETHERIDGE. He
answered. like the Yankee he processes to
hate, by asking other questions, to which Mr
ErHEnID0E replied:
The gentleman puts many questions, and
desire to answer them all very frankly, and
vet so briefly as not to interrupt the course
OF his Al gumcnt. The gentleman asks me
how know that the gentleman from North
Carolina [Mr. Giimerl can receive more than
the number OF votes be has heretofore re-
ceived. | gave it as my opinion only. and
i am very sincere in that belief. We Will, !
doubt not, establish the fact, whenever u,c
gentleman will promise me that those with
whom he is acting will help Us in that con
fingency.
In regard 10 the number Of votes being
cast now Tor Mr.. Bocock, submit to the gen
tleman il il is fair to ask the Southern Oppo.
sition to unite on Mr.. Bocock, when they are
unable, up to this good hour. by the aid of
the party spur and the party screw, 20 bring
into his support those anti-Lecompton mem
bers who do not renOunce utilization with
their partyf Every man must know that they
cannot cast ninety three votes for him Tor the
reason that some members of the Democratic
party refuse TO vote for Sir. Bocock, and ig-
more his Democracy. ] state it on my re-
sponsiblity as an individual. that the gentle
man from Moth Carolina, MIR. Gilmer. OF
at least some one OF those with whom he
acts. conld receive ut any time more than
thirty votes Now, | submit to the gentle
man whether, when we have cast this num-
Der OF votes for the gentleman from North
Carolina, mir. Gilmcr,l Mr.. B"cock's friends
will come over. and elect Mr. Gilmer: !
again ask the gentleman from Missi' sippi
whether. in his opinion, the gentleman from
Virginia can receive ninety-three votes
Will those gentlemen claiming here To- b
anti Lecompton Democrats rally around NJ.
Bocock in sufficient numbers to give hm
ninety-threc votes! II he can show that,
then his figures and arguments will have
more solid and enduring basis to rest upon.
Still, Mr.. McRAE failed to come up to the
mark He would not say whether his party
would vote tor Mr.. GrLNER TO defeat SHER-
NAN, but affected a doubt as to the posi-
bility of votes enough being cast for Mr.
GIINER to elect him should the democracy
vote Tor him. Mr.. hcRAE Is generally a can
did, plain spokea map, willing to " face the
music" In his speech he had the courage TO
snnounce that be was in favor of the re-
opening Of the ficsn slave-irade. a traffic
denounced by his government as piracy; yet
be did not dare to answer yes OF no In Mr..
ErsEEIDoE's interrogatory. The evasions of
Mr. McFAE Indicate one thing plainly enough;
and that is, that the democratic members do
not wish the republicans candidate for Speak.
beaten, unless by Democrat Loud rs they
ring the changes upon the evils which will
be entailed upon the country by the election
OF q republican Speaker. they are unwilling
90 take patriotic step aud seeure the elee-
tion OF sound, national Southern man.
But few days subsequently TO the ques-
tIoning referred 10 above, The seventh ballot
for Speaker took place. Ii stood
For sherman ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 90
B,eoek....-. --...-..-.- 20
- OAthsr ...s.......-.-.- .'-'s......s..s..+.- %
SCATTERING ....-..-............-.....
Nee. ...., !. ...... 4.
This ballot established the fact that Mr..
GnxER could command more than twenty
three votes. aud bad the democratic members
, oted for him he would have been elected,
with eight potss 10 sp0rs. Why the democratic
meinb. RI did not seize this opportunity to
defeat the republicans, they must explain 10