Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-02-04
The Speakership-Election of Pennington, a
black RenuhIican. from New Jersey.


for Speaker against John Sherman. On the 39th
ballot the vote was Smith 112, Sherman 1O6 Cor
win T. and scattering Mr.. Smith lacked three of
an election. But he was elected on this ballot and
would have been the Speaker but for the fact that E.
Joy Norris Scranton, and Wood, of Pennsylvania,
who had voted for him, changed thervotes to COrwin
These three Pennsylvanans who defeated Mr. Smith,
the national candidate are moderate black Republi
cans. They all voted for Mr. Gilmer, and they all
declared afterwards that they would have adhered
to Mr.. Gilmcr if the Democrats had come to his
support Mr.. Briggs of New York, an old line
Wing, who voted for Mr. Smith, reproached these
three Pcnnsylvanians in terms for their
treachery and faithlcssncss. Representing as he
does considerable number of black Republicans, he
also announced that while he had cheerfully voted
for Mr. Smith, and desired his election yet when he
should come to the conclusion that Mr. Smith could
not be elected he would feel bound to vote for Mr..
Pennington. The result shows that OH Wednesday
Mr. Pennington was elected by the vote of Mr..
Briggs. Under the circumstances we do not per-
cevc that he deserves ccnsurc for that vote Situa
ted he is and having done all he could to defeat
Sherman for whom he declared he never would VOTE
he could not we'll have pursued any other course.
The Daily Globe contains an interesting account
of the change of votes on Friday for MI: Smith
The national Democrats from the free States, with
two exceptions who are not regarded as sound par
ty men, came over to him in solid column and Ia
bored with their Southern friends to secure an or
ganizaton on national basis Some of these North
ern national Democrats represent constituencies
largely composed of naturalizcd citizens and it may
therefore, he well conceived that they had difficulty
in voting for gentleman who was regarded as in
any sense connected with the Know Nothing organ
ization. 1t known that Mi. Smith, though
had not actu.lly joined the Know Nothings, ha
nevertheless acted with them and received thei
votes against his opponent, DIR. Shaw; yet, so anS
iouS were these Northern Democrats to organize til
House. and in doing TO defeat Sherman, that the
voted with their Southern friends for Mr.. Smith,
We allude to these facts to show the sacrifice whic
those Democrats made on the occasion. 1t is pro-
er to state, however, that Mr. Smith was privatel
Intercepted on the subject of his connection wit
the Know NohngS and that his answers were r,
gardcd, under the circumstances, satisfactory,
Mr. Morris, of Illinois, said 81 want to know, NJ
only whether Mr.. Smith was ever connected wit
the Know Nothing Order, but whether he approve
of the doctrines or principles Of the Order" I
which Mr.. Larrabcc, Of Wisconsin, replied
a. will say to the gentleman from Illinois, that
have put these questions to the gentleman fror
North Carolina, AMI lie hCs dH$gCr,d them to M
satisfaction. represent more foreign born either
than any other man this floor; and every fOreig
born Democrat IN my District, if here to-day. wOu :
vote for William " H. Smith, of North Carolina"
This was confirmed by Mr.. IIindman and other
Mr. Cochranc, of New York. said
81 hold him, Mr.. Smith, therefore, to be, viii
not entirely and altogether such as | am, demo
crat, yet in its nearest approach, an old line Wing
free from TIE hpr0sy Of hHoT Noih;nyism a ma.
conservative national, and patriotic"
At an early stage of the ballot on Friday, MeSsrs
Branch, Craige, Rufiin, and W;nslow, of this State
voted for Mr.. Smith. Mr.. Craige said
AS long as believed that the only effect of my
vote would be mere compliment to my friend Mr.
Smith, and would not change the result have uni
fOrml, voted foT Mr. BOcock But believing that
now this long contest can he terminated, with
pleasure cast my for Mr.. Smith, OF y. Carolina.
Mr.. Branch said
Il desire 10 change my vote. | have eXplana-
ton to make, and will only express the hope that
my colleague may be elected Speaker of this House.
| change my vote from Mr.. Bocock TO Mr.. Smith, of
North Carolina"
MI. W ll>lOW said
81 desire to change my vote from Mr.. Larrabee
to Mr.. Smith, of North Carolina"
Mr.. Ruffn said
81 suppose | am now standing alone in the
southern phalanX and it Is about time that should
march over.
Mr.. Clerk at the commencement of this session.
when we commenced bAlloting for Speaker, | was
determined to adhere to the Democratic nominee,
and to vote for outside of that organization
unless the probability that by my vote he could
be elected. never intended, either to vote for any
man that the Democrats from the North were not
willing to support. For six years have stood side
by side with northern Democrats. I have always
found them true men, willing to give equal justice
to all sections of the Union and, sir, | have not
been willing and am not now willing, to give any
vote that will inurc them at home. am not will
Ing to desert my allies with whom | have fought
here for years and 90 over to the Opposition,
against whom, at home have always cOntended.-
But, sir, | find things now in this position; there
has been struggle here for nearly two months with
sectional party waging war against the South
We have tried our men of the Democratic par
tys have invariably voted for them not only here,
but NAV say and say truly, that in no political
election in my life have ever voted against Dem
ocrat and to-day for the first time, expect to vote
for man opposed TO my own political sentiments !;
nothing but the importance of the occasion, nothing
but the great necessity of organizing this Eousc up
national platform, could induce me to vote Tor
man opposed to my own political sentiments.
believe the Democratic party to be true to the coun
try; | believe it to be n constitutional party; am
devoted to its principles, and never expect to do
anything to inure that party or its principles; and
even now cannot say that should have been will
ing to vote for my colleague man for whom |
have the highest regard, man whom know to be
eminent in his profession as lawyer, and whom
know will adorn that chair, and give satisfaction to
the country-if | had not been advised and en-
Outraged by my Democratic allies of the North In
frequent conversation with them, majority OF whom
have already voted for him, have been advised and
requested to vote for him; and now | take the re-
sponsblity of changing my vote from Mr.. Bocock
to my colleague Mr.. Smith, of North-Carolna"