Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-02-03
RaIIotinR for speaker.

THIRTY-SIXTH BALL0T.-sherman LOG; Bocoek 5s;
Smith 81; rest scattering. Necessary a choice, ia
THIRTY-sEvENTH BALLoT.-sherman 10; Bocock
55 Smith SO; remainder scattering. For choice ia
On the 26th, four ballots were had: 100
being for John Sherman. The democrats
and Americans dividing up. ia votes
necessary for choice.
On Friday, 9th, the contest was renew
ed. The scene in the House was of the
most exciting nature. The correspondent
of the N. Y. Times thus speaks of the AID
ballot
"Mr. Smith, of N. c., was put in nomi-
nation, and received five Republican votes.
The Americans next came to his standard,
and lastly the Democrats wheeled into line,
and as they did so the excitement became
intense. State after State, and Democrat
after Democrat, followed in support of Mr.
Smith, and as each vote was announced, a
round of applause went up from floor and
galleries. 1t Itappeared evident that an cleo
ton would be had, and the interest was ev-
cry moment increasing. At last it was as
certained that Mr.. Smith had 115 votes
a ia being necessary to a choice. Before
the vote had been announced it was arranged
that Messrs. Bocock and Sherman should
conduct the Speaker to the chair. The fact
of an election seemed too good to be true.
The hope was indeed delusive, for discover
ing that Mr.. Smith was actually elected, as
the vote stood, Mr.. Mcpherson, of Pennsyl-
vania, who had led off in support of Mr.
Smith, got up and changed his vote, with
drawing it from Mr.. Smith and casting it
for Mr.. Corwin. Mr.. Morris and Mr. Scran-
ton followed suit, thus sreducing Mr.. Smiths
vote to 112. Mr.. Sherman then voted for
the first time, which rendered lis neces-
sary to a choice. The Democrats then en-
deavored to obtain three votes more, and to
again elect Mr.. Smith. Now Mr.. Cox, of
Ohio, came TO the rescue, and Mr.. Holman,
of Indiana, agreed to do likewise, provided
the third man could be obtained.
Every possible influence was brought to
bear upon Allen of Ohio, and Davis, of In
diana, but without effect, and the result
was announced: Mr.. Smith 1l2, Mr.. Sher-
man LOG. Democrats now urged another
ballot, but the Republicans resisted, and
moved an adjournment. Mr.. Stanton, of
Ohio, stated that his friends would resist
any effort to have another ballot that day,
and thereupon the Democrats yielded 10 a
motion to adjourn"
! On Monday, the 9Oth, when the House
were proceeding to ballot, Mr.. Sherman
arose amid profound silence, and said:
Throughout this prolonged contest he
had been supported by large plurality of
his friends-they till now had adhered to
him with fidelity and devotion which he
respected and which he believed had re.
ceived the applause of their constituents
} They had stood here undismayed amid
; threats of disunion and disorganization, con-
scous of the rectitude of their intentions,
firm in their alteration of the constitution,
and the obedience to all laws, they had
been SILENT firm and manly.
On the other hand they have seen their
ancient and national adversares broken into
fragments-they have seen some of them
t combined by written agreements to prevent
a majority of the House from prescribing
I, rules for the organization of this body
They have heard Others proclaim that if a
Republican should be elected President Of
3 the United States, they would tear down
the fair fabric and break up the Union o
these States, and now they have seen theil
ancient adversary, broken, dispersed, and
d disorganized unite in supporting a gentle
man here in open and avowed hostility tc
e their organization. should regret extreme
. ly, and l believe it would be a national ca.
: lamity, to have any one who is a supporter
d directly or indirectly of this Administration
a or who owed it allegiance, or favor, or af
: fection, occupy any position in this House
! | should regard it as a public calamity t
have the power of this House, directly Oh
= indirectly, under the control of this Admin
E istration, and it would be, it seems to me
a fatal policy to trust the control of gentle.
men who have proclaimed that in any even
and under any circumstances, they would
dissolve the Union of these States. / re.
gard it as the highest duty to submergc
personal feelings, and that every man should
sacrifice all private feelings and all private
; interest for the good of his country.
proclaimed here few days ago and ]
have always stood upon the position that
whenever any of my political friends or as.
sociates could combine greater number Of
votes than / could, l would retire from the
scene and give him the honor-if there is
any honor in the position 1 occupy. l be-
lieve that the time has now arrived; / be-
lieve that greater concentration can be
made on another gentleman, than upon my
sell, Of those outside Of the Republican Or
IganiEation therefore respectfully withdraw
: my name as candidate, and doing SO, Mr..
CLERK, allow me to return my heartfelt