Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-06-04

One month from Today The United States
Congress viii meet at Washington. The
session win doubtless be short one, The
expected business being almost entirely
connected with the present rebellion, But
the organization Of the XXXVIIth Con-
eress must first be effected, ana in this organ
i1atiOu, the election Of Speaker win be q
prominent point. There viii be no reasons
for such prOtracied seiges Of bEllotings as
when Mr.. Banks and ME Pennington we're
elected, for the representation which VIII
meet at WSshingtoa are united rs one man
upon the only question which is now agitat'
ing the cOsntFy-shat sf sustaining The
life and dignity Of our government. Hence
there need be. and doubtless win be no
partisan warfare OF political chickering's.
The question to be asked is, who will best
discharge the duties Of this important con-
gressiOnaI ofioe7
Among the names who have already
been mentioned in connection with the
speakership is that Of Hon. Frank Blair
Jr., Of Missouri. And none would more
readily and gladly be 50 .bOnored BY the
loyal States Of this Union. Mr. Blair is in
the prime Of life and as energetic and Yig-
OrOus as any man who viii take his seat in
the Lower House. His life has shown that
be is possessed Of ell the energies which
90 to make up thorough business man.
BE comes from the very best stock, being
the third son Of Hon. Francis P, Blair, Of
Washington. Francis P Jr, is just 40
years Of age, having been born in 1921.
He graduated At Princeton college In ls4l,
and entered upon the practice Of law, in
81. Louis. In ls85 he made journey to
the Rocky Mountains for his health, and
upon the opening Or the MexiOln war, he
Joined the army as a private and served
until 1S47, when be returned TO St Louis.
In 1S4s he Joined heartily in the free soil
movement and made strong speech
against the extension Of slavery into the
Territories. In 1852 be was elected to the
Missouri Legislature as . free soil candi-
date. and was reelected in 1854. In 1885
he was elected to the U. s, House Of Repre-
sentatives, where he has since distinguished
himself by his bold, active lRbOrs.
In this present contest Mr.. Blair has
been foremost in the work of sustaining
the GovefnmenE 70 stand up as be has
done, year after year, in a slave State, and
preseh free doctrines, vas no mean task,
and to the honor ofathat he has now added
his lAbOrs as federal officer in the yOlun-
teer service. Heeding not the faimina-
tions Of the rebel government Of his State,
but Offering his services and his life, if
need be, in defense Of his country,s Aag,
be has done much 10 strengthen the Union
feeling in the State, and 10 .counteraet the
evil influences Of the treacherous Executive.
he has command of one OF the four volun-
tee regiments, whirh have been raised in an
swer to the call Of the President and viii
give as good an account Of himself upon the
field as in the hall OF political discussion. s.
Asa speaker, Mr. Blair has few snPeriOrs,
while his ability as an Executive officer is
above dispute. We truss therefore that this
selection will be made at the OpeuingOf Con-
gress, both as a recognition of his past Ser
vices and present capacity, and for the good
Of the country, whose interest it is to have
athe right man in the right place.