Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-02-16
Hon. III. w, Hoffman.

In reference to the organization of the
House of Representatives in our last week
issue we simply gave the votes for Speaker
and Sergeant-at-Arms without any COM
rnents. In accordance with previously
formed intention, we now design word or
two Of comment in regard to the highly COM
plimentary vote given to our townsman the
Hon. II. W. Hoffman, who is Justly recog-
I.ized as the representative man and cham
pion Of the Opposition in Western Mary
| land.
| During three successive congressional can
vases he has calamity led the omtattlcd OPP
position against the corrupt democracy. He
has each time met their chosen leaders in po-
litical discussion and always with the most
triumphant success-his enemies being the
judges.
In consequence Of these facts and OF his
independent, manly and eloquent defence of
bis acts and principle, he has been pursued
with bitterness and vituperation on the part
of the demoralized locofoco press and speak
crs--in comparison with which the annals OF
political warfare will scarcely furnish par
alel. We speak only what We know, wien
we assert, that at this hour be 's dearer to
the hearts Of the Opposition of this District,
than lie ever has been, and despite all that
may be said by the locofoco press in conse-
qucncc of bis acceptance Of tho highly hon.
orable position rendered him by the House
of Representatives, he can nov rally to bis
support more true, tried and enthusiastic
friends, than any other individual in the OPP
position ranks of this District.
That our readers may form some idea of
the manner in which he is appreciated out
side of his District and State, we subjoin the
following from the New York Evening
Post" ard the Albany journal:
"The election of Mr.. Hoffman as Sergeant
at-Arms will be equally distastefnl to thu
so-called democratic party. Mr.. Hoffman
was a member of Congress from Maryland,
who voted against the Kansas Nebraska bill;
but this is not his great offence. When the
brutal outrage was committed by Brooks, OF
South Carolina, on Senator Sumner, MIR.
Hoffman felt like all men In whom prejudice
had not got the Letter of generous feelings
and manly principles, the greatestsndignation
ut til. deed. He voted with the Republicans
to expel Brooks from the Houfe, and sup
ported his vote by such speech as man of
honor, and an enemy Of disorder, might be
expected to make. After that he became
again a candidate for seat In Congress,
but his speech and vote were used against
him with such effect in his district, that, al
though all the other candidates on his ticket
were elected, he alone failed Of an election,
his vote falling about three hundred short of
theirs. Mr.. Hoffman is, in short, just such a
man as, If he were in Columbia, the polished
capital of South Carolina, would be tarrcd
| and fcathered, and sent out Of tho country,
and for whose life we would not answerif he
were found in that highly civilized neighbor-
hood of Georgia called Atlanta. The loss Of
his election has not, however, kept him oat
of the House of Representatives. Aside from
all political considerations, he well deserves
| tho mark of esteem the House has given
him by the excellence of his personal char
acter.--Post.
The Journal says:
MI. "iio 81 s'SSsN' ~'S'' .
| eant-at-Arms of the House Of Representa-
tives was Member of Congress from Mary
land in 1854, and was one Of the few South
I'm men who voted against the Kansas Nsbras-
ka Bill. He also denounced the assault upon
Senator Sumner and voted for the expulsion
of Brooks from the House. For these two
votes, the pro-Slavery Democracy pursued
him with peculiar malignity, aud succeeded
in preventing his reelection to Congress-
His election now, besides being personal
triumph. is vindication Of principle, and in
both aspects we are gratiied to see it accom-
plished by Republican votes
1t also gives additional evidence Of the false
hood Of the pretcnce that opposition to the
Extension Of Slavery necessarily involves hos
tility between North and South. Southern
men can join with Northern men on this is
sue, and instead Of regarding them as objects
of luminosity, Northern rlen are gratified to
have All opportunity of bcstowing honor up
on any Southerners who prize tho Union
more than they do sectional prejudces.
We beg to correct ono or two errors ind