The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-04


public voice.
The election of Governor PENNINGTON to the
Speakership has been received with widely varying
sentiments in different parts of the country. 1t
appears to be perfectly satisfactory to the North,
though the people even there do not give the same
reasons for their content; portion of the press
insisting that he is n conservative Old Line Wing,
whose election is u virtual defeat of the Republic
cans; and other journals, headed by the Tribune,
contending that he is a well-tried Republican, and
that this party, in choosing him, has achieved
Just rs perfect and complete triumph as it
would have done if it had placed Mr.. SHERMAN
in the Chair. In the South there is by 10 means
the same unanimity Of feeling in regard to the re-
suit Of this contest, while whatever dissatisfaction
is expressed, is based upon as many opposing
views OF the subject as is the qualification of our
Northern neighb0rs. Some papers simply regret
this event. but hope for the best; some deplore it
as likely to be productive Of evil consequences;
and others look upon it as a fresh provocation to
the South and an additional cause for the dissou-
ton of the UNION 1t is in the first class of these
Journals that we desire to be ranked To Governor
PESNINGTOE's personal character we have heard no
solitary objection urged, and on this score we
believe he will not appear to disadvantage beside
any other member Of the House, whether a candi-
date for the Speakershp or not So far as his
individual opinions are concerned, we have every
assurance that they are conservative moderate and
loyal, and, under other auspices, his elevation to
his present position might have been n matter of
n lofi INT or Ito
this, it is to be deeply regretted that any one with
his political affiliations should have been selected
for so important post. There are, doubtless,
many men in the Republican party, and we are
willing to concede that Governor PENNINGTON is
among them who do not propose to go beyond
the spirit or letter of the Constitution in egisa-
ting concerning slavery and who are sincerely
opposed TO any direct indirect assaults upon that
nstitution in the States where it exists. But on
the other hand, it cannot be denied that as a
party the Republican organization has gone far
beyond these limits We Judge of it, as we are
entitled to do, from the language held by its or
gans and its most prominent leaders, from time to
time for several years past, and by the acts done
by its representa- yes Numberless articles in the
Tribune, and Il hundred kindred sheets between
Massachusetts, and Minnesota have been nothing
short of incendiary and reasonable A multi
tude Of passages may be culled from the speeches
of Senators SEWARD and WILSON, and Governor
CHASE, and other influential politicians which
will only admit of similar construction, while
the resistance Of local authorities TO the execution
of the Fugitive Slave law and the adoption of
Personal Liberty Bills, are actions not to be mig
cannot but look upon the Republican party as
being, not merely SECTIONAL but aggressive We
sincerely believe that through its teachings it is
in great measure responsible for JOHN BRowY's
infamous foray, and that it is at this mo-
ment chiefly under the direction and control of
those who sympathise with that traitor, and
who secretly assist the circulation of Helpers
documents. Thousands of individuals belonging
to it will repudate any such tendencies, but they
have already been drawn farther than they would
have been willing to go, some years back, and
they may now be carried a few steps onward, until
they find themselves standing in open opposition
TO the constitutional rights of the South. The
party has now advanced to point at which it
becomes all moderate men to pause before they
support it longer. The country has lately under
gone paroXysm of feverish excitement produced
unequivocally, less by BRowN's attack on Harper's
Ferry, than ty the applause and appreciation
which no inconsiderable section of the Repub-
lcan organization accorded to the deed Under
these circumstances, it is certainly unfortunate
that this party should have secured additional
power in Congress. and it is solely because Gov
eruor PENNINGTON was its candidate that we re-
greet his success. But while we feel that injustice
is done MS By those who uphold the Republican
party, we cannot anticipate such evil conseouen,
ces from this event as some of our contemporaries
forbode. That the election of Mr. SHERMAN mipbt
have precpiated the crisis which the extreme
opinions Of the Republicans have been SO well cal
culated 10 provoke, we certainly did believe,
though we were equally confident that even that
peril the UNION would have been strong enough to
Withstand. This danger is less imminent now
than it was week since, and we are more dispo-
sed to be thankful for the defeat of that obnoxious
candidate than to swell the discordant and threat
ening clamor with which the success of the Re-
publicans has been received in some quarters of
the country.