Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1860-02-04
Approaching a Result.

coming to it at last. The telegraphic news
from Washington proves that the Democra-
tic members of the House OF Representatives
are slowly but certainly submitting to the
empire of reason and judgment After
vainly striving for more than six weeks to
elect as Speaker an Administration Demo-
crat, they appear to be convinced OF the abb
solute impossibility of success. and have
wisely, prudently and periodically resolved
if practicable. to defeat the Black Republic
can candidate by any representatives whose
record on the slavery question is uninPeach-
able. The gentleman upon whom the choice
Of the Democracy has fallen is w. Ii. N.
SMITH, of North Carolina. On tie last bal
lot taken on Friday, the 9th inst, to the
the amazement and CONSERVATION Of the sup
porters of SHERMAN, the. vote for SMITH
reached l12. being the largest vote received
by any candidate for Speaker during The pre-
sent session. Mr.. SMITH is like wise the
only member who has obtained more votes
than Mr.. SHERMAN. In other words, SHEER
MAN. for the first time: failed to receive a
plurality OF the votes cast. The resultcreated
intense excitement, and the House adjourned
until to-day.
We are not entirely without thope thai a
Speaker will be chosen, and that Mr.. SMITH
will, be tie successful a%spirant. He himself
is probably the least Objectionable man TO
the Democrats, apart from their immediate
~poftical associates. Mr.. SMITH represents
the First Congressional District in North
Carolina-the scene of many a fierce and
dubious contest. In the last Congress it was
represented by Mr.. Shaw, an Administration
Democrat He ran for reelection to the
pres mt Congress and was opposed by Mr..
SMITH. an exceeding stiong and popular gen.
tleman. on old Line Wing as We are inform
ed. After an animated canvass SMITH was
returned by .nearly six hundred majority.
He bears the reputation of being an able
man, thoroughly conversant with politics.
| and.a ready and forcib!e speaker. He may
have servedis The North Carolina @Legisla-
ture, but We are under the impression that
he had entered the arena Of national politics
for the first time.
It is evident that the Democrats in concen-
trating their efforts upon Mr.. SMITH have
virtually acknowledged the impossibi'ity of
defeating JOHN SHERMAN by one of their own
number. and have determined to endeavor to
nut an end to the disgracelul interrgenum in
the public business, aud to throw the entire
responsibility of further procrastination On
the anti-slayefy representatives. In this
they have acted with undoubted prudence
and sagacity. They have shown, albeit
: some what tardily, their entire Willingness to
surrender the imperious bebests OF party to
the more paramount consideration oil the pub
lie service. They have practically evinced
their desire 10 effect an organization Of TIE
House by the most incont, override OF proofs
to wit the transfer Of their support to an
undoubted political opponent. They have
: sought to De satisfied on but a SINCE, But in
dispensable point, viz whether Mr.. SMITH
was perfectly reliable and agreed with the
National Democracy Gil the questions at issue
between the North and South. Convinced
of this fact. they have unhesitatingly sus-
tanned him, and as we have seen have given
SO large and iattering a vote rne mea-
sure to encourage the hope 1.-The House
will eventually be organized by the election
OF a Conservative Speaker.
Our readers are aware that we have almost
I from the opening Of the session predicted
/, either that SHERMAN would ultimately tri-
) umpb. or that a Speaker would be s%electet
t from the ranks of the Southern Opposition
Without entertaining the slightest objection
: TO the choice of an Administration Democrat
5 we knew that this was wholly impracticable
and knowing too, that the Democrats could 10
be ignorant Of the truth, we did not hesitate
to unite in the censure which every Southern
8 man not blinded by party spirit applied Il
them for their stolid obstinacy in refusing t.
take up some one else. We were met by tn,
organs OF the Administration with she rs an,
sophisms. The idea that Sc should 60 owe
to less than half that number was derided a
a childish proposition, although it was admit
:, ted that by so doing the Sc would secure The
election Of a Southern Speaker, while the
union Of the Southern Opposition on De-
mocratic candidate could not promote hi.
chances of success. When this was clearly
!, d demonstrated, a faint, feeble, and altogether
: vain attempt was made to impeach the fdeli.
: ty to the South Of those Southern Represen.
' t~atives who happened not to be Democrat:
Nevertheless the results seems in fair way
of justifying our opinions. The Democrat
understand at length the Importance Of an or.
ganization. and the urgent necessity of beat