The New York herald., 1863-10-20

New Views Upon the Next speakershiP'
Our radical and i'll natured contemporary,
poor Greeley, Of the Tribune, is very bad
at figures. A short time ago he ciphered
up an administration majority of fifteen in the
House of Representatives. Yesterday he adds
and subtracts again, and can only make out
"clear administration majority Of three"
This seems to have discouraged and disheart-
ened him q little; for he Immediately dedes
anybody to figure an anti-administration or
ganization or working majority out OF this
state of facts" Well, we believe poor
Greeley's statistics to be altogether wrong
but, even taking the figures as he gives them,
we think we can accomplish the feat which he
thinks so difficult. Greeley was never much OF
q mathematician at any time. Facts and fg-
ures were always too much for him. Let him
sit down coolly now, and see how easily we can
arrange this business of the next Speakership.
Some time ago we nominated the Hon. Fer
nando Wood, of New York, for next Speaker OF
the House. This was an excellent nomination.
Poor Greeley knows Mr.. Woods talents and
capacity almost as we'll as we do, and will un-
unfortunately, the Hon. Fernando Wood will
not accept the position. He declines it polite
ly, but firmly. He is going to take his stand
upon the floor of Congress as an independent,
individual statesman. AS such, he will rule
the surging factions around him without joining
them or compromising with them. He will
bring his splendid powers to bear upon great
a~1 nd
points of approach. He will exert his mighty
mind to preserve, consolidate and support the
country, and will yield to no ultra isms or pes
tilent politicians. This is to be the Hon. Fer
nando Woods exalted station in the next Con-
gress, and we respect and admire it too greatly
to ask him to descend from it and take the
Speakership. So, perforce, we must cast about
for another candidate And NJ let poor
Greeley lend US his most eager attention; for
we think that we have q candidate who will
walk off with that 'clear majority of three"
Suppose that the opposition nominates the
Hon. General Frank P. Blair, of Missouri. He
Is our candidate. He will secure all the votes
of the conservative republicans, the war demo-
Gratis, the other democrats, the Bell-whigs and
the border States mon, and leave the radicals
with "clear" minority of only one-third of the
House. What does the Tribune philosopher
say to that? Frank Blair is a very able man,
with great tact great experience and great
firmness of character. He belongs to the ia
nous Blair family, who reelected General
jackson, and can re-elect Commander-in-Chief
Lincoln, if they like. He has brother in the
Cabinet and a father who is in everything poll
tically. Then General Blair is not radical.
On the contrary, he came out plumply and
severely against Chase and the radicals, only
few days ago, at st. Louis, and has been
fighting them steadily and successfully ever
since Fremonts time. All the conservatives will
therefore vote for him. His family influence
will gain him few administration votes. The
copperheads will support him because they
cannot do any better, and would only 90
farther and fare worse. Poor Greeley will
abuse him, and that will win him adherents.
In short, he will carry the Speakership by q
large majority, if he be nominated. Why he
should not be we are unable to see. He is
equally opposed to both copperheads and mig
gerheads, and that is just the position of the
people, as shown by the recent elections. For
these reasons General Blair is our candidate
for the Speakership. What becomes of poor
Greeley's "clear majority Of three now! 1t is
not worth snap Of the fingers.
The Blandsrs Of the War and Navy De.
psrtments-Mr. Lincoln's Duty.