National Republican., 1877-09-22
THE SPEAKERSITIP.

The dignity and power of the Office OF
Speaker Of the National House of Repre-.
sentatives render II place worthy the am
bition of the most eminent statesmen. II
Is position around which many interest
ing historical associations cluster, both in
England and America. In the struggle by
which our English ancestors finally cstab-
lished their constitutional liberties, the
Speakers of the House of Commons were
not unfrequently called upon to withstand
the assaults of tyranny, while in our own
country the long contests which several
times took place for the election of q
Speaker brought the importance of the Office
prominently before the people. The elcc-
tion Of Speaker Of the House of Repre-
scntatives is an event which always excites
deep interest throughout the Republic.
The recent changes which have taken
place in the political condition of the coun-
try render it exceedingly difficult to predict
who the next Speaker will be. When the
members Of the present House were elected
year ago party lines were closely drawn,
and bitter partisan animositfes were cher
ished. Since then marvellous change has
taken place in the sentiments Of the people.
The only real issue upon which the people
were divided into parties has totally disap-
peared. Sectionalism has given place to
nationalism. Not only has the only real
issue which separated the old parties been
settled, but new questions have arisen
which must ultimately give rise to new par
tics in no way connected with the old ones
The next Congress will, therefore meet
under very peculiar circumstances The
policy of conciliation which the President
has adopted has not only settled the South
srn question, technically 80 called, hut so
changed the status of the Southern mem
hers Of Congress in the estimation of the
people of the North that those members can
now insist upon n recognition of their
claims to candidate for the Speakeiship
In the present state of public sentiment the
Democrats of the North cannot say that 1t
would be inexpedicnt to elect Southern
man Speaker for fear OF injuring their party
In the North. Owing to the revolution
which has taken place in the views of North
ern Republicans the election Of a good man
from the South as Speaker would not at all
be displeasing to them.
This condition of things has totally
changed the aspect Of the Spcakership ques-
tion, for it so happens that the South has n
special interest in the choire of the next
Speaker on account of certain internal i'm
provements which are demanded by the in
terests of that section. The destruction of
party interests will enable the Southern
members to assume position Of independ-
encc in order TO secure their ends which
Would have been impossible If party lines
were now drawn as strictly as when the
elections occurred. The fact that the Adj
ministration is understood to favor a liberal
policy upon the subject of internal improve
ments in the South adds TO the interest of
tho situation.
Independently, however, of all other con-
sideations, il would he but deserved and
substantial token of the reconciliation
which has taken place between tho North
and the South TO conccde the Speakership
TO the section which has been so long ex-
cluded from the enjoyment of that honor.
There are quite a number of members from
that region who could discharge the duties
OF that high Office with honor to themselves
and credit TO the nation. The election of
such man would titly celebrate the era of
peace and good will which the patriotism
and moderation Of President HAYES has
snn Tod