Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-01-06
fRoM WAsH1NGroN.

Auothef week OF prOhtlcss debate ana frult-
less sallies--I mean, Of course, by the pro-
slavery men, for the Republicans have contin-
ued to press the siege silently, patiently, but
firmly Half the week was wasted by a sim
gle member, Mr.. Smith Of Virginia. who is
more popularity know as Extra lilly than as
Governor Of the ancient dominion or Member
Of Congress from the Alexandria district On
the first day he got through with the Dcclar-
alton Of Independence mean the first day
Of steady speech making. for it took day or
two Of diminishing to get ready. The upshot
Of the argument on the Declaration was. that
the words "oH men are created equal. DC
were not intended for a very large part of the
American population Of that day. in short,
that our fathers said "all when they meant
only part Of mank.nd-and so Smith would
convict Gov. Mason, jefferson, and other
illustrious statesmen of Virginia. as we'll as
all the members of tho Continental Congress.
nf gross hypocricy. On the second day,
heard Smith talking about 1903, and finally
Of John Quincy Adams in his later days as
tho great champion Of freedom on the floor of
Congress, so that he undoubtedly performed
great days work and absolutely needed the
relreshmcnt Of sundry glasses Of cgg-nog.
which he quaiIcd, greatly to his own content
and to somewhat of discomfort in many thirsty
souls around him. 1t was a strange scene,
and the speech was probably the longest and
strangcst ever delivered in the House. Stuff
ed full Of extracts from many sources. express
i've Of extreme sentiments, principles and
measures adverse to slavory--it is really an
inoondiary speech, and liable to exclusion I'M
der tho law Of Virginia for oxpungating the
mails. Then, too, 1t is 80 long speech. that
Smiths constituents will have TO make new
election before they have concluded the read
ing Of the document Loves labor lost
time misspont. Smith occupied about nine
hours in discharging that speech Yesterday.
Morris Of Illinois used about three hours in
reading a speech, and it is understood that he
will require as much more time to-day But
Morris has hard task he is really an anti
slavery man, and yet his friendship for Mr..
Douglas has forced him to agree to support
the nominee of the Charlston Convention.
whoever he may be and whatever its platform.
think any smart man would require at least
two days to satisfy himself saying nothing Of
any body else, of the propriety of such a posi-
ton.
OF course you know that the ballots for
Speaker show the same result each time
Sherman lacking four ofan election. Yesterday
an attempt was made to combine the Dcmocra-
cy and South Americans on Mr.. Maynard of
Tennessee, but he got only sixty-Gyc votes
The attempt may be renewed, but only to fail.
do not conceive it possible 10 carry muiori-
ty against sherman: still the opposition to the
Republicans may run SO nearly even with
Sherman to he tempted to adopt the plu-
rality rule. by and by. | think not, howcv-
er and that if we have Speaker at all, it
win be through the forbcarancc of half a doz-
en- members mean, the Withholding of their
votes.