Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-02-08
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENTS.
WAsHrNeros err. Feb. z! 1850.

MY Geographic dispatch OF the list inst. appriSed
You of the election of William Pennington Speaker
achieved by the vote of Henry Winter Davis, of
Maryland, who is supposed to represent a Southern
in the q. S. Congress This great
head of know nothingisn-this unblushing advocate
Of the bloody creed Of a proscriptive party-this
friend and supporter Of John A. Gimer,
OF N T., is the first representative south Of Mason
Dixons line who has dared to affiliate with aboli-
tionism and lend himself willing instrument to Sc
cure the election Of republican Speaker. Mr..
Briggs, of N. Y, although elected by the republ
cans of his district never would have given his
vote to black republican had not Davis, by voting
for Pennington forced upon him the responsibility
OF terminating the contest
The election of the most conservative man in the
republican party is to be deplored; but the South
can congratulate itself on having forced these Hell
per,tes to abandon their ground and elect man who
in reality is obnoxious to the fanatical portion of
that party as he is to the democracy. Many such
victories would be more disastrous tha open defeat
The magnanimity displayed by the democrats
throughout this contest receives the warmcst praise
from friend and foe. What shall be said of the So
called conservative @ South Americans? When
they presented the name of Mr.. Smith, of n c.,
the stralght-out democrats voted for him to a man;
not . question was askcG-no conditions imposed
no pledges demanded. They voted fer him in a
solid column until all hope of electing him vanished
Then Mr. McClernand, of ILL.,, was nominated, and
it was confidently expected that the South Ameri
cans would come to his support with as unbroken a
front as the democrats presented when rallying
der the banner of Mr.. Smith. But in this they
were deceived had intended commenting at some
length upon this action of tho know nothings, but
as one OF their own party organization, Mr.. Vance,
of N. c., denounced their failure to support Mr.
McClernand in better terms than can, will quote
an extract from his speech delivered just before cast
ing his vote. Here it is:
II do not insist upon every democrat in this
House voting for the gentleman from Illinois as
condition precedent before | can vote for him my
self, The gentleman from Illinois, Mr.. McCler-
nand. when my honorable colleague Mr.. Smith
was put in nomination, differing from him as much
as differ from the gentleman from Illinois, came
forward with magnanmity, generosity, and with
patriotism 1 have rarely seen equalled, without
making any inquiries or asking questions, and cast
his vote for my colleague. Now, sir, shall not !,
reciprocatng the honor conferred on my State, be
magnanimous enough to do the same thing? Some
Of my South American friends have said that, IN
consequence of the peculiar doctrines in relation to
the government of the Territories, that the north
western democrats are supposed to entertain, they
cannot make such sacrifice of principle to come
to this gentleman's support. SIR when we have
ourselves seen these northwestern democrats come
up to the support of a southern opposition man,
though differing widely from themselves, to organize
the House, and have seen, on the other hand, a
southern STAKEHOLDER, representative from great
southern city, Mr.. Davis, of Maryland deliberate
ly supporting the candidate of the black republican
party, confess that feel it would be ill requitng
their conservatism to deny them our support Great
applause in tile galleries
do not consider myself as indorsing anything by
this vote, save and except alone ny opposition
to black republicanisn,. consider it evidence Of
the degencracy of the times that gentlemen here
cannot sacrifice so small and insignificant thing as
their party preudices for the common good, when
men, may be sometimes called upon, as our fathers
were in times past to sacrifice their lives their for
tunes, and their hearts best blood to the cause OF
their country. And l to-day feel ashamed that
have nothing better to offer to my country than the
sacrifice of MY poor political prejudices fee
ashamed as did prophet Of old, who refused to &C
cept present of the oxen with which to make g
sacrifice, saying that he would not offer sacriict
to God of that which cost him nothing. By this
sir, mean to cast no sort of imputation upon the
patriotism of those of my political friends who SCI
proper to differ with ME, or to impugn the validity
Of their reason for not voting as do only near
to say, that numbers of the democracy refusing tt
vote for their own man. forms no sufficient reason
why should not meet the gentleman from Illinois
on the high and conservative ground which he ha:
occupied throughout this contest, and return tn,
compliment which he has paid my colleague, and
through him. my State. Therefore, sir, l have tt
say, without hesitation, equivocaon, mental reserva
ton, or secret evasion of mind in me whatever
straight along, and straight out will vote for Johr
A. McClernand, of Illinois," Applause.
These remarks of Mr.. Vance were not at all pala
table to his American friends, some of whom wer'
inclined to take offence at the line of conduct Mr.
| V. felt called on to pursue.
| 1t is now understood that Forney, of the Phila
delphia Press. will be the republican nominee 70
the Clerkship, and Hoffman, of Maryland, thei
| choice for Sergeant at Arms The democrats vii
support Mr.. Allen, the present incumbent No ont
has as yet, been selected to fill the door-keepers
place; there are hosts of needy applicants besegn;
the capo', and the "wildhunt after Office" is brisk
| ly kept up by hungry politicians.
Francis j. Grund, whose nomination, some tw'
weeks since, as Consul to Havrc was not confirmed
by the Senate, has at last succeeded in obtaining tn
coveted senatorial endorsement ard will leave at
early day for his official post.
The President has vetoed the bill making an ap
preparation of $4,000 for deepening the channel
the st. Clair fats in Michigan.
1t is believed that the new Speaker will appoin
either Sherman or Corwin Chairman of the Com
mittee of Ways and Means This was the posito.
that E. Joy Morris indirectly sought of Mr.. Smith
of N. c., and when this gentleman very properl..
| refused to commit himself in any way, the selhsl
traitor abandoned him and went over to the abol
tionists -.
Now that this question of the Speakership i
settled, the wire-workcrs are becoming busy il
scheming for their various friends who aspire to
presidential nomination at the hands of the Charles
ton Convention The Douglas men at this point ar
sanguine of success. They expect to go into tn
conventi9s with the whole strength Of New England
the northwest Missouri, Tennessee, and eren NORTH
Carolind.i Mr.. Douglas is to be their choice 70
President and a NorthCarolnian for Vice-Pres
dent Failing to carry out this programme, tn
Douglasites are then to unite upon Andrew johnson
of Tennessee, or A. II. Stephens, of Georgia, 70
President, with some nothern man for Vice-Pres
dent Whether these sanguine gentlemen can SUE
cessfully accomplish their purposes remains to
seeen. .,, -..e .-..--
On Tuesday last witnessed the election from tn
floor of the House Of no less character than tn
notorious Chevalier Wyckof, who is one Of the col
respondents of the New York Herald. Mr.. Pryor
of Virginia, at whose instance the Chevalier was lie
r e.