The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-02-11
- We confess ourselves aitogeth

4
mcnts and House Journals.
- 100 -
- We confess ourselves altogether
unable to discover the logical force ofthe
regret INDUCED by a portion of the press,
at the election of Mr.. Pennington, as
Speaker, while they admit his eminent
fitness for the place, the integrity of his
character, the sound conservatism and
nationality of his political opinions and
his entire acquiescence in and respect
for the constitutional rights Of the South.
The fact that he was elected mainly by
the votes Of the Republicans is harped
! upon again and again, and deplorcd as a
national calamity, so overwhelming tina
some of them have clothed their columns
in mourning over the event. An unchar-
liable mind might suggest, that one great
reason of this lamcntation and weeping
was, because when they came to look for
some little responsibilities in the shape
of public printing, which they strongly
calculated upon, like Rachels children
they were not, and hence the refusal to
be eomfortel. But seriously, We think
the fact, that Republican votes have con-
tributed to the election of a Speaker so
acceptable to the South, whose antece-
dents are sure guarantee that all her
rights will be sacrcdly guarded, should
be rather a greater cause for rejoicing
than if even he had been elected by
southern votes alone. We cannot ignore
the fact that there is a North, that there
is there a Republican party, and that
they have the numerical power to control
the government and mould its policy to
their views, no matter how unjust to US,
or how destructive Of our rights. Is it
then cause for alarm or regret, or
should it be regarded as national calam-
ity, that these men, vino have the power
to injurc us so deeply, and from whom
we have been told that we had SO much
to fear, should turn round, and by their
votes elevate to the Speakers chair a
gentleman from whom the south has every
assurance, that not one of her vested
rights shall be tramplcd upon, or wrested
from her, and by whom her honor will be
as jealousy guarded as that of his own
native state Of New Jersey We know
it is gratifying to human pride to strike
down a foe, but if we can disarm that foe
of bis enmity and hatred, and, making
him thenceforth our friend and ally,
secure his aid against some more implac-
able assailant, VIC have gained victory
more glorious than if we had crushed him
forever We southerners are a proud
people, and if we could have beaten our
Republican enemies in the late contest
for Speaker, we should have rejoiced i'm
measurably at our success, but when it
turns out, that during that eight weeks
bitter struggle we have convinced them
of their unreasonableness and injustice in
trying to elect as Speaker an indorser of
the Helper book, and induced them to
withdraw the Objectionable Sherman, and
cast their votes-even the most ultra of
them--for the unexceptionable Penuing-
ton, we think our triumph is more graft
flying than it would have been, if even our
own Gilmer had been elected. The snake
that is scorchel is not always killed, and
does any one suppose, that had the Re-
publicans been defeated they would not
have gone homo and renewed the fight
with redoublcd bitterness on account of
this very defeat? This sectional fight
must end some time, in some way-cither
in burying our animosities, abating our
bitterness, elimination and re-crimnation
regarding each other as brothers, res
pectlng each others rights and prc)udlces
and agreeing to disagree upon those cues
tious, which time and time only can set
tie; or in separation, disunion, fraternal
war, and God knows what else. We
conscientiously believe that the election
Of such a man as Mr.. Pennington, as
Speaker, and the unanimous support
given to him by the Republicans, is a
long step toward the right end of our
domestic difficulties, and that every
southern man, who contributed to bring
about that result, is worthy of all honor
and gratitude.
U On Friday last, the House Of Repre-