Litchfield enquirer., 1860-02-09
NEWS OF THE WEEK.

NEWS OF THE WEEK.
 IN CONGRESS- House of Representatives | at last organized on Wednesday last, by the choice of Ex-Governor William Pennington l of New Jersey, by vote of IF to ll6 for all all other Candidates Mir. McC cClernand of Hi nois received sl votes from the Democrats, and 1 the rest were divided between NIT. Gilmer, $. Am, and Scattering" The result was brought about by H. Winter Davis of Maryland, and Briggs of New York the former of whom is entitled to the praise of all men who have sym. pathy for man who breaks through the tram mels of party discipline, and casts his vote for the oraanization of the House, and who is will ling to remove the clogs of government, at the expense of personal vituperation. The Hon. Mr. Pennington, who has been chosen to pre- side over the deliberations of the House of Rep resentatiyes, although he has long occupied an eminent position in his own State, and has been honored with its highest offices, has never been before, member of Congress, and with the ex- ception of Mr. Clay, is the first since the organi- | zation of Government, who has been chosen l Speaker of the House, upon his first term of | service.
 ] On Friday Col John w. Forney of Philadel- phia was elected Clerk of the House, by the Re publicans and anti-Lecompton Democrats, and H. A. Hoffman of Md, AL. Democrat, Sergeant at-Arms. On Monday Messrs. Geo. Marston and Isaiah NJ. Lucas were respectively elected Door-keeper and Postmaster. The House then adjourned until Thursday to-day), when the Committees will be announced by the Speaker.
 The following brief sketch of his life, copied from forthcoming enlarged edition of Mr. Lan- mans Dictionary of Congress- will prove inter- esting to many of our readers at this time:
 "Hon. William Pennington was born in New ark, New Jersey, where he has resided all his life. He is lawyer, and has for many years practced his profession extensively in the courts of that State. In 1887, he was elected Cover nor of New Jersey and e:c-obicio Chancellor of the State, both of which positions he occupied for six years, or until 1s43. When General Taylor came to the Presidency, he appointed Governor Pennington Governor of Minnesota and though unanimously confirmed by the Sen ate, he declined the office. President Fillmore offered him one of the Judgeships in California to settle land claims under the treaty with Mexi- co, but this position he also declined, preferrlng to remain in his own State and in private life In the autumn of l659 the united voice of the Opposition, in his district prevailed upon him, against his wishes, to become candidate for | Congress, and he was elected by a very large tercprcsenting the fifth Congressional district In politics, Mir. Pennington has ever been a Whig, and it was during his administration as 1 Governor that the famous broad-seal controyer sy occurred in New Jersey. In politics now, he is moderate Republican, decidedly conserya tive in principle and spirit, a firm supporter ot the Union, and an advocate for laying aside all subjects that may disturb the public tranquility His personal character is one of the most pure and estimable, and his presence and manners re markable for dignity and urbanity"
 On Wednesday evening there was very spir- ited demonstration of rejoicing among the Re publicans, over the election of Republican Speaker. A large crowd, headed by the Marine Band, serenaded the Speaker elect at Willard's during the evening. The large upper hall of the hotel was filled with an enthusiastic throng who had met to exchange congratulations with Gov ernor Pennington, while the band discoursed eloquently several national airs. After a gener- al shaking of hands, Governor Pennington, the Speaker elect was called out, and responded in an eloquent and patriotic speech, in which he referred to the excited state of feeling prevailing throughout the country created by the prolong- cd and determined contest for the Speakership. He trusted that the decision of that contest would again restore peace and harmony, and al- lay sectional strife, which threatened the pros perity of all sections. He had confidence in the loyalty of the people to the Constitution and the laws, and in their devotion to the Union. The great heart of the nation throbbed only with pat riotic impulses, and his own beat in unison with it. He came from State which was the battle field of the Revolution, and by no act of his would he dshonor the historic virtue and loyalty of his native Commonwealth.
 Governor Pennington s remarks were frequent ly interrupted with applause and at the conclu sion were greeted with three times three cheers given with hearty will.
 Mr. Sherman, of Ohio, was next called out but was prevented from speaking for some min utes by prolonged cheering He said he had re tired to seek rest and quiet when the summons came, and the greeting he had met, of hand heart and voice, moved him more than feeble thanks could express. The occasion was al suspicious one. A Republican Speaker is elect ed and no calamity comes. Republican Speaker is elected, and the people rejoice. A Republican Speaker is elected, and stocks ad vance. A Republican Speaker is elected, and . cOtIOu IS NoEtn CieNSu CCltS pci pouilo 1Du up wards sand may it advance still higher A Re publican Speaker is elected and slave property with those who choose to deal in the article, Ii ses in value. A Republican Speaker is elected and the Union is not in danger. So will it be when Republican President is elected. The only dissolution of the Union which our adver- saries fear is the dissolution of their union with the public treasury This is the Union" they clamor about. They cling to it with sincere love- This is the source of their injustice to us We tell them our determined, only purpose, and they quote at us the language of some crazy fa- natic. They make us believe what they do not believe. They say we intend what we do not intend, and then howl and rave at us.
 | My friends, we will conquer their injustice. We will beat down their prejudices. We will quiet their fears. We will do it with tirmness and love, with brotherly kindness and respect. Dissolve the union of these States! My friends, my people live afar off, on the shores of one Of the beautiful lakes of the West. If they were to hear among them such talk as we hear at the na- tional capital, by Democratic office-holders, they would not hang them. but curse and denounce them Dissolve the Union It can't be done :! Oho Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana, have recently met together, and resolved it shall not be done, and double woe fall upon those who attempt it Let us greet the new Speaker as the harbinger of coming events The past IS l with our adyersaries; we rejoice in the present. l Let us hope in the future.