Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-02-22

ties" that when they returned home II they
sought admittance into the ears at Balh
more, they would have to pass political
examination at the door, or miss the light
ming train. (Laughter.)
They next assumed the guardianship Of
one of the Representatives Of Maryland, and
knowing that however much he respected
individual democrats he would never vote
for one Of them to fill political Office, they
sought to declare that the Representatives
of Maryland should vote for IL democrat only
for Speaker 1t is true that these legsla
tors were more inclined to study the Gin
cinnati platform, than Blair's Rhetoric OF
Whatcley's compcnd; and therefore could
not say what they meant. 80 ambiguous
was the resolution, that the opposition mem
bers supposed it was intended to reflect ON
the democracy in Congress, and so voted for
it, (laughter.l Next they brought forth these
resolutions condemnng the course OF the
Hon. H. w. Davis, who, acting as a Repre-
sentative from Maryland, had voted for Mr..
Pennington. lie wished that these gentle
men would act rs legislators OF Maryland.
They presumed to censure him for his course.
He would tell the honorable gentlemen
who sent this message, take it back? will
speak to your masters. (Applanse.) The
Legislature could not be described so well
as the words of Milton describing the grim
porteress of hell gates, who:-
seemd woman to the waist and fair;
But ended foul III many scaly fold
Eoluminous and vast; Il serpent armd
With mortal sting: About her middle round
A cry of Hell hounds never ceasing harkd
With wide Cerberean mouths full loud, and rung
A hideous peal yet when they list would creep,
II aEght disturbd their noise into her womb
And kennel there; yet there still bark d. aud howrd
Within unseen.
They like her, false to their mission, were
ready to let loose the Satans who would deS,
troy this fair Union-men not capable OF ar
gument or ready for open encounter,-we
small demons who could only scratch.
He had given the vote for Mr.. Pennington
under the full sense of his responsibility to
his constituents. That vote Is honOred and
applauded by every man whose opinion res
pect. am this day stronger in my district
than all the banded body OF the Legislature
rammed and bound into one man. APP
plause) lie had told his people when they
sent him, that he would come rs u freeman,
or not all. lie knew that his constituents
approved of what he had done, and that,
though not the reason OF the act, was ut least
a consolation.
The Maryland legislature could not be
expected to know the gentleman chosen
Speaker as that VIM. Pennington, whose
name and broad seal was disregarded by Il
Democratic House OF Representatives. His
constituents knew this, and thought that
,,annaopna coma late lint IuStiV
The Legislature of Maryland could not be
expected to know that Gen. Taylor had APP
pointed Mr.. Pennington to Il high office but
his constituents knew it.
The Legislature of Maryland could not be
expected to know that Mr.. Pennington was
in favor of the fugitive slave law, but his
constituents knew 1t.
The Legislature of Maryland could not be
expected to know that Mr.. Pennington was
whig, in favor Of stopping agitation on the
slavery question, but his constituents knew
it.
He regretted that his friends in fear OF
being called "aboitionists," had deserted
him, and voted for this censure. Some OF
them had rode to Office on his shoulders
(Applause) and seemed not to understand
that when they cut the limb on which they
stood, they too must fall. When the roll was
called, the Legislative hall OF Maryland pre-
scented a strange sight. When u Democrats
name was called, he signall2ed his hate by a
loud response, but when the clerk called the
name of an Amercan--the first time there
wasno response: the second, a shutting, and
on the third and last call, there was Il reluc'
tant vote in tie affirmative. This was repea
ted every time an American 5 name was call
ed. They looked over their shoulders to see
some chance of avoiding the vote, but the
Democrats opened their capaclous mouths
and in Hey trent. (Laughter.)
He could appreciate the feelings OF the
American members OH that occasion, Tor hc
had seen the Democrats on thus door swallow
MIR. Smith of n. C. daughter and Applause.
He should meet with becoming reslgna
ton all the obliquy which might be cast ou
him He had no doubt he would be vel
bounded. The Maryland Legislature dld
not seem to recolect that in 1877 one giorl
Gus Representative in the other Hall had
taken the responsibility, and voted for John
Quincy Adams. Ever afterwards was he
hounded with the cry Of Bargain and Cor
ruption, till he lived to put his villiiiers I,
shame. Il have set at his feet III political
teaching, can follow his path of political
martydom." lie knew that the negro ques
ton was not the only absorbing question;
other questions too had been absorbing,
and had passed away from living politics
No man was fit for public station, who do
not take his political life in his hand and d,
his duty to his country. lie stood there moi
merely as the Representative OF the tourtl
district Of Maryland, but in wider sense
as one of the Representatives Of the whole
country. and panied as he was to separate
from his friends, and assume alone respcn
sibility. with none to divide, or breast 1T viii
him, he had done 50 CONSIDERABLY, and tei'
satisfied.
He drew lively picture OF the state Of
the House of Representatives during the
ballot for Speaker-the like of which was
only found in the Revolutionary assemblies
of Paris,-of a solemn embassy waiting on
sovereign State seeking to create AGAIN
revolutionary Congress, and declared tha'
as a representative, sworn to support not Z
future Coniederacy, but II present tnl"n, II
WAS his duty to organize the government
lest it be found disorganized when an attempt
was made against it-a peaceable secession
which meant the stoppage of I ): Marshal IS
the driving from the seats OF justice OF 70;
.Iudnes and the destruction Of the Federal
fabric.