Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1859-12-21
Washington Correspondence.
WAsnIyGroN. Dec. l6, 1859.

on roll call The hrst and only business
In order, is the election of a Speaker, for
the members are not sworn in till a Speak
er Is elected. \ ballot was Immediately
taken. the result of which you have had,
and thereupon Mr.. Grow. of Penn. with
drew his name from the list of candidates,
and on the next ballot the Republican vote
was concentrated on Mr.. Sherman. of your
state. On the first day, Mr.. Clark, of Mis-
souri,. an administration democrat of the
disunion sort. introduced a resolution as
sorting under a whereas. that a certain
book, called Helpers Impending Crisis
of the South, contained improper sentiments,
and that a candidate for Speaker Of the
House, had recommended its circulation.
and that no such person was fit to be the
Speaker of the House of Representatives;
and thercupon he ventilated himself. by in
hieting upon the House a violent and abu-
sive speech against the Republicans in gen
eral. and those who had recommended the
Helper" book, in particular. The speech
evidenced no ability of any sort, except the
ability of violent abuse. which he had a
superabundance of. Thus was Inaugural
ted the slavery agitation in the House of
Representatives. which the Democratic par
ty have resolved and rc-rcsolved should not
be done, in or out of Congress. Speech af-
ter speech followed from Southern demo-
Gratis, denouncing Republicans as incendia-
ries, murderers and traitors. and Reuben
Davis, of Mississippi, asserted in his place,
on the floor, that Gov. Seward ought to be
hung. A majority of the Administration
Democrats from the slave states, boldly an
ncunced, that the election of a Republican
President, Ike Cows. Seward and Chase,
would, per see, be a Just cause for a disso-
luton of the Union by the s%lave-holding
states, and no Northern Democrat in the
House of Representatives, has dared to dis
sent IRON tho sentiment, although four or
five of them have made speeches denoun-
cling Republicans. and S. S. Cox. of Ohio,
took occasion to abuse and %misrcprent the
people of the Western Reserve, and said
that it ought to be set off to Canada, where
the runaway negroes do eo%ngrcgate. He
said they We're Yankees. and talked through
their noses, and with that kind of slang,
the Buckeye at home. entertained the
House, to be put along side of the Buck
eye Abroad" in our school libraries. for
the elevation and enlightenment of our chill
drcn.
Thaddeus Stevens, of Penn, on the Sc
cond day of the session, l think, raised a
question Of order-that no discussion or
resolution was in order, and that the only
business properly in order, was the election
of Speaker. or a motion to adjourn. He
made a motion to that effect, and moved
the previous question, with a view to cut
off further specch-making, which was de-
laying the organization of the House. He
stated that the creditors of the Government
should be speedily paid, and that it was
unjust to keep mail contractors longer out
of their Just dues, and that it was due to
the country, that the House should without
unnecessary delay organize and proceed to
the business for which the members were
elected. This just appeal was met by vo-
%ciferous clamor from the Southern Demo
Gratis. Mr.. Garnet, Of Va. said the South
would discuss the resolution, and hat it
was not in the power of the House to pre-
vent it. Mr.. Stevens was firm, but calm.
Mr.. Crawford, of Georgia, approached him,
violently gesticulating. and in the confu-
sion. what he said could not be heard
The Southern members gathered around,
and the Republicans approached near where
Mr. Stevens stood, and were ready to de-
fend him, if violence had been offered him.
If the Southern men had made an effort to
touch him, the new carpet on the floor Of
the Hall, would unceremoniously have re-
ceiyed them. The Republican members
viii not iarite a collision of this sort, and
would regret its occurrence, but if it is for
ccd upon them, they will meet IL as he
comes the representatives off, free and lib
erty-loving constituency. The goodness and
tirmness Of Mr.. Stevens, we're worthy Of all
praise.
But one speech has been made by the
Republican side of the House. The dis
c~ussions have been between the Southern
Opposition. the Anti Lecompton men and
tie Administration Democrats. Mr.. Mel
son, a Southern Opposition member from
Tennessee, gave. the other day, 4 scathing
rebuke to the disunion Democrats, in an
able and eloquent speech. There was much
in his speech, which Republicans could not
approve, but his terrible rebukc to treason,
rebellion and disunion, in case of the cleo
ton of a Republican President. according
to the Constitution and law of the country,
was warmly applauded by the galleries and
Republicans on the floor. Mr.. Roger \.
Pryor, of Virginia, not unknown to the pub
lie as a political writer of some talent, I'M
dertoOk the task of answering Mr.. Nelson.
The friends of Nh. Pryor were confident in
his ability to meet and vanquish in debate,
any man on the Republican side, and also
any man of the Southern Opposition, who
should presume to dissent from the disun-
ion sentiment of the Democrats. His speech
was a weak effort, having no point nor logic
about it, but was desultory rhodomontade.
Mr.. Nelson calmly replied, and showed
himself to be a most adroit and able deba-
ter, and there was nothing left of poor Pry-
or. He looked, when Nelson sat down. as
the bean stalks did, on the Reserve, about
s o'clock in the morning, on the 9th of
June last, after the great frost, 'sort of
wilted." The Republicans will reply, when
the House is organized, to the dissolution
threat of the Democrats, and their pro-sla-
very position, and not till then.
This Helper book, written BY a native
of North Carolina, that has so frightened
the South. is a work addressed to the non
Shareholders of the South, and contains ma
ny facts. showing the injurious effects of
slavery upon free labor. There may be
som Objectionable passages in it, but On
the whole, l have no doubt that the book
should be generally read. Now that the
Democrats have given it, at the expense of
the Nation, such a thorough advertisement,
| presume it will be generally read in the
North and South, where it is not suppress
pn nv that cSninpaon which pravailS in fba