Daily gazette and comet. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1856-186?, 1860-02-11
The New Speaker.

hS tht WIN "h' ''"fNN'"'''
gentleman who has mt last been
called to preside over the House
has not before filed any station in
the National Councils, and how
ever hoBored, as he has been, in
his native State, may not be wide
" known to our Southern readers,
we have, for their qualification,
copied from forthcoming en-
larged edition of Mr.. Lanman's
Dictionary of Congress the follow
ing particulars of the character and
career of the distinguished Speak
or of the tbirty.sixth Congress
"Hon. William Pennington was
born in Newark, N. j., where he
has resided all his life. He is a
lawyer, and has for many years
practiced his profession extensive
| ~ in the courts Of that State. In
1887 he was elected Governor of
New Jersey and er-obicio Chancel-
Tor of the State, both of which po-
sitions he occupied for six years,
or until 1S43. When Gen. Taylor
came to the Presidency he appoint
cd Gov. Pennington Governor of
Minnesota, and though unanimously
confirmed by the Senate, he de.
clincd the office President Fill
more offered him one of the Judge
ships in California to settle land
claims under the treaty with Mexi-
co, but this position he also de-
clined, preferring TO remain in bis
own State and in private life. In
the autumn of 1858 the united
voice of the Opposition in bis dis
trict prevailed upon him, against
his wishes, to become u candidate
for Congress, and he was elected
by n large vote, representing the
Fifth Congressional District. In
politics Mr.. Pennington has ever
been Wing, and it was during
his administration as Governor
that the famous broad seal contro-
versy occurred in New Jersey. In
politics now he is a moderate Re-
publican, decidedly conservative
in principle and spirit, firm sup
porter of the Union, and an advo-
cate for laying aside all subjects
that may disturb the public tran
guilty His personal character is
one of the most pure and cstima-
bic, and his presence and manners
remarkable for dignity and urbani.
ty."
In the evening after his election,
Mr.. Pennington was serenaded, and
called out to receive the congratula-
tons of bis friends. He made the
following remarks
When we hear q national air, al
ways satisfies me tina tive belong to
one country, and have no belief in
the doctrine that the time is near
at hand, or can be, that we are to
be separated. We are one people,
and ! trust in Heaven we shall
ever remain so. There will al
ways be, in a free country like
ours, diversities Of opinion, differ
ent views, and a great variety of
interests which must necessarily
prevail but there is a spirit of
patriotism that burns in our hearts
that will not be extinguished. Our
land is a land of freemen, our lib
ert:es were achieved by the great
exertions and services of our faith
ers, and | believe no man in this
generation will let this blessed in
heritance go to pieces. And ii we
do wrong at one time, you remem-
Ker the saying of Mr. Clay, that
bid patriot, when he went home to
o entucky after having voted for
the Compromise law. On being
addressed by some old man, who
said, "Clay, you have done wrong"
"Well," says he, my friend, if you
were out cunning, and ON pulling
your trigger your gun didn't go of,
what would you do? Would you
throw it away, or would you try
it over again 7" NAY" said he,
Il would pick the flint and try it