Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-02-02

It is an old theory Of public affairs that when matters
get very bad they will begin improve. On this ground
We reasonably calculate that a few days longer will
inmate the dssrlceru contest for Speaker at Washing
ton.
There is one other ground Of hope. We kao0 there
will DE sn organization Of the House, sooner or later be
cause We lnoc that members have the remotest idea
of returning home without they get their pqy-and or
glaizaon is an essential condition precedent to their
getting that So, SHALL some time or other, have
speaker, and then affairs will 90 on quietly in the old
way Let the people who foot the bills Of Congressman
be thankful for the prospect.
p S-Snce writing the foregoing paragraph the telc-
graph has flashed US the news that Mr. Pennington of
New Jersey, was on yesterday elected Speaker of the
House Of Representatives 10y a majority of one. Thus
the contest is end and sure that the whole
country sill rejoice to hear the glad tidiugs
Mt Pennington We believe is conservative Old Line
Wing, and We have no doubt he will make an excellent
and impartial presiding ccer At any rate we are hap
Pr in thc though, that Speaker has been elected and
chat Congress will proceed to the performance
Of their public duties.
What has Become of the Democratic Party ?
Thlttde once boosted "Great National Democratic
Party has no longer national existence but has dwin-
died into miserable factions, poweress for good is
.ru,a tha, no uaprejuliced man can deny. We know
tie pr,ildces Of some men are strong that truth
however Wen supported can open their eyes-that there
are none so blind as those who will not see. For the
truth OF the statement We have made, We beg leave to
introduce on the stand as witness the Editor Of the
Charleston Mercury, one of the oldest, well as most
lie, Of the Democratic journals, Of the South. We do
mo-, expect the selfish leaders Of the party to receive the
evidence but 90 expect the candid and less sell
, of the masses to receive It, because it is the truth
The Editor says:
IF ,h. Charleston Convention shall meet il is now
clear chat 10 viii be, in s practical aspects, nothing bat,
Southern Convention. There is no Democratic party
f.. the Northern aud northwestern States able 70 give
single vote TO Democratic nominee on Democratic
PRINCIPLES Indeed iu principles, IL cannot properly be
-l1 tt jlgre IS any Democratic party 40 the North az ALL
throughout New England Peuu-y lyaniJ, New Jersey
and other Northern States increased protective duties
were openly aiyoca-iat the last Congressional elections
AS che policy Of the Democratic usr-v Throughout the
whole North and northwest, the right OF the inhabitants
r our territories through their Territorial Legislatures
ly uuleuj.y legislation TO keep out or drive out sia
very from the territories is the creed of uine-tcnths
o.. .ha Democratic party i'm the Northern States of the
Ia0u. They also favor appropriations Of money, 10y
Congress, Co carry ON measures o' internal improve
melt On All these great vital measures of policy
OBJ. Southern portion OF the Democratic party stand
u jectaua-ousm 20 the Northern portion. Their union
as ulrv based ON principles is dissolved The North
e position OF the party under tle steady progress of
-g,.uaaIsm In the Northern States have gradually
rendered he principles OF the Democratic party and lost
-..ir nationality. They now s,ctonal-sectonal
ur subject of slavery iu our territories sectional ia the
..yss i aud tajr expenditure by tuy General Govern
m,at Slpposi,c therefore, that they able 70 car
-g out thor policy u ie Northern States in the election
1t President Of the United States sh what proprety
consistently with duty can Southern Democrats 90 into
convention with them for the nomination of common
caui.jl,r for the Presidency,