The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-03

We have no apprehension that the vote of the
Hon. HENRY WINTER DAVIS in favor of the Repub-
lican candidate for Speaker will be misunderstood
in any quarter, whether in or out of Congress-
In the House of which he claims to be member
the peculiarties of his mental constitution have
long since condemned him to position of almost
perfect political isolation even in his own party
From the day when he signalsed the commence
ment of his Congressional career as he has its
close, by contributing to the election of Republic
can Speaker, and during the whole of his interme-
diae term of service, Mr.. DAVIS idiosyncracies
and vagaries have been a constant barrier to any
thing like a cordial union between him and any of
the political divisions of the House. Blessed with
serene confidence in the infallibility of his own
judgment, which he will permit nothing to dis
turb, and balmy contempt for the opinions of
others, which he is at no pains to conceal Mr.
DAVIS has earned reputation more for dogmatism
and fuency in debate, than for sound statesman
ship or practical sagacity. A statesman, indeed,
he never could aspire to demonstrating both the
breadth of intellect and catholicity of spirit which
are essential to the character. glib tongue and
bitter and an inveterate hatred of the Democratic
Party have been the qualities by which he has made
himself chiefly distinguished. His inconsistencies
have been too frequent and too glazing to make
his vote in favor of any side of any question
matter of surprise to anybody; even if previous
manifestations of Free-So procivties had not
prepared us for his final summersaut into
the arms of that party. Apart, therefore, from
the fact that his was one of two votes which were
decisive of the contest we do not suppose that
Mr.. DAVIS action in relation to the Speakership
awakened the slightest interest in the House. So
far as this city and State are concerned, it pos
sesses even less sign fcance 1t is in fact entitled to
none at all In sense is Mr. DAVIS the representa-
tive of Baltimore, or of Maryland. He neither
reflects the sentiments of our people, nor does he
hold his seat by any valid title. Returned to the
place which he assumes 10 fill, by violence and
fraud: he has no right to speak for this commun-
ity. Content to be the beneficiary of the crimes
committed on Election Day, Mr. DAVIS can claim
to stand upon no higher level than those who per-
petrated them. The ruffians and bues of his party
stuffed the ballot-boxeS and Mr.. DAVIS produces the
fraudulent ballots in proof of his election Peace
full voters were beaten and driven from the polls
by scores and hundreds, and men were murdered
in the Streets and Mr.. DAVIS proffers the returns,
Redeemed with the blood of his fellow-citizens, in
vindication of his rights. The effrontery that can
claim an election under such circumstances, is
equal TO even more than the contem ptuous disre-
gard of public opinion and moral obligation, man.
Tested in Mr.. DAVIS vote for Speaker Claiming
his seat in opposition to the wishes of an immense
majority of the people of his District we have no
right to complain to be surprised that Mr. DAVIS
votes should equally at variance with their views.
The outrage which placed him in possession of
vote, can scarcely be aggravated by any use which
he may make of it. To strip him of the fruits of
his dishonest victory, and to divest him of the
character which he usurps and abuses, should be
the next concern of the people of the ourth on
gressional District it is the duty of the House,
upon whose deliberations he intrudes.