Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-02-03
Delaware. Feb. 3. . Q
TIE CONTEST zMDnD- "A Rz-
PUBLICAN sPHAKH1 H1aCTHD!

sudden Change. The Democracy (three men,
bers only excepted surrendered to the South
Americans, and voted for one of their number,
Mr.. Smith of North Carolina. They sup
posed near the conclusion of the ballot he was
elected, and he would have been had 10. some
fonr or FIVE of the opposition members from
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, who had voted
for him. changed their votes to Sherman which
left Smith three short of an election. After
the ballot the House adjourned until Monday,
Mr.. Sherman meantime calling a caucus of his
friends, at which lie aFowed his determinatinn
to withdraw, which he did in the House on
Monday, presacing his withdrawal with the
following manly remarks:
MIR. Sherman rose amid profound silence
He said, throughout this prolonged contest he
had been supported by a large plurality Of his
friends. They, till now, had adhered to him
with a fidelity and devotion which he respected
and which ne believed has received the sp-
plause of their constituents. They had stood
here undisraayed amid threats of disunion and
disorganizntion, conscious of the rectitude of
their intentions, firm in their alteration of the
Constitution and in obedience to all the laws.
They had been silent, firm and manly, On
the ether hand, they have seen their ancient
and national adyersaries broken into frag-
meuts.
They have seen some of them combined by
written agreement to prevent a majority OF
the House from prescribing rules for the Or
ganization of this body. They have heard
others proclaim that if a Republican be elect
ed President of the United States, they would
tear down this fair fabric, and break up the
Union of these States, and now they have seen
their ancient adversary, broken, dispersed and
~disorganIzed, unite and supporting a gentleman
here in open and avowed hostility to their or
ganization. I believe it would be a national
calamity to have@any one who is a supporter
directly or indirectly of this administration, or
who owed it allegiance, or favor, or affection
to occupy any position in this House. / should
regard it as a public calamity to have the pow
er of this House directly or indirectly under
the control of this administration, and it
would be, it seems to me, a fatal mistake. a fa-
tai policy to trust the power of the House in
the hands or under the control of gentlemen
who have proclaimed that in any event, and
that under any circumstances, they would dis
solve the Union of these States. I regard it
as the highest duty to submerge personal feel
ing, and that every man should sacrifice all
private interests for the good of his country.
I proclaimed here.a few days ago that /
have always stood upon the position that when
ever any of my political friends or associates
could combine a greater number of votes than
| could / would withdraw from the scene and
give him the honor, if there is any honor in
the position | occupy. I believe that the time
has now arrived, l believe that a greater con-
centration can be made on another gentleman
than upon myself of those outside of the Re
publican organization. therefore I respectfully
withdraw my name as a candidate, and in do
ing so, Mr.. Clerk, allow me to return my heart
felt thanks to all my political friends who have
stood by me III this contest, especially to those
with whom | am not connected by party ties,
but by the higher ties of mutual sympathy,
respect and affection. Sir, if I had one more
favor to ask of them it would be that in an
unbroken column, with an unfaltering front
and unwayering ranks every man of them
wheel into the line and cast his vote in favor
of any gentleman belonging to our organiza-
ton who can command a majority OF this
1IOuoN, u NJ LII CJ1 UC CICClCd 0pNdhCI Ol LIS
House
The Republicans then concentrated on Mr.:
Pennington, of New Jersey. and three ballots
were taken, on each trial Mr.. p. coming with
in 2 votes of being elected, when the House
adjourned till Tuesday.
On Tuesday Smith withdrew and the larger
part Of the Democratic vote was concentrated
on M'Clernand, of Illinois. 81 One ballot only
was taken, and Henry Winter Davis, of Mary
land, having supported Pennington, he lacked
but a single vote Of an election, which vote was
promised on the next. ballot by Briggs of New
York, when the House adjourned. "a.
On Wednesday the Republicans met with
confidence that success would crown their eff
forts, and they were not disappointed. The
b~alloting having progressed to near its close,
the concluding scene is giFea as follows
Mr.. Briggs, who was one of the ~tellers, said
Just beforethe result of the vote was an
nounced I rise for the purpose of changing
my vote it will be recollected that a day or
two since I made a statement as to what might
do in a certain contingency that contingency
has now arrived. i#"s ta9
1t becomes me to state my reasons for the
vote I am about to give. The time has arriy-
ed when my vote viii elect a Speaker. L have
said on several occasions that / could cast nv
vote for any conservative gentleman like Mr..
Pennington now has 116 votes and lit will
elect him. / give my vote to a gentleman
whom | am assured will act fairly and impair
F,a1tr ~ al H1noff,,.,Eof fLo -s. .---.
Of the responsibility which l assume in so do
ing, Mr.. Clerk, now withdraw my vote from
Mr.. McClernand of H., and cast it for MIR. |
Pennington of N. j. prolonged applause)
Mr.. Douglas stood at the desk watching Mr.iI
Briggs during the whole of his remarks! u
Impatient cries of proclaim the voteAthc
vote was then announced. f5
The vote resulted as follows Whole num-
Der, 230 Mr.. Pennington 1T; MeClernand
85 Gilmer, l6.
The Clerk decided that Mr.. Pennington
was elected. applause in the galleries and
hisses1
Mr.. Hindman wished to make some remarks
about the election of a Republican, but was
loudly called to order by the republican side.
Messrs. Boeock and Sherman were appoint
ed by the Clerk to conduct the Speaker to
the chair. -f III F'tn5 F't
These gentleman at once entered upon the
performance or that duty, and escorted him to
the chair. The Speaker amid a quiet that
contrasted with the excited and disorderIy pro-
ceedings which previously prevailed, spoke as
follows Gentlemen of the House of Repre-
sentatives Il return You my grateful ac-
acknowledgement for the distinguished honor you
have been pleased to confer upon me in elect