The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-03-18
The Speakership.

The contest between Randall and
Blackburn for the Spcakcrship of the
House is exciting great interest not
only in Washington but throughout
the United States. Both gentlemen
arc very sanguinc of success, but VIC
are pleased to say that Randalrs cx-
pcctations appear to be the better
founded. The fight is not so much
Randall vcrSus Blackburn, as it is
Randall and anti-Randall The
Speaker is said to be one Of those men
who does not appreciate others as
they value themselves, and thereby he
gives offence. He has also strenuous
ly opposed all jobs and subsidies and,
for this reason, has mtagonizcd the
lobby and the Congressman who vote
with it. But rs the money Worship
ping people Of the North chiefly dread
the Democracy as subsidists, this trait
Of the Speaker is q great element Of
strength for the Democratic party,
north Of Mason and Dixon's line.
Randall is also c-cmincnt as par
Humanitarian, q most essential quail
fication for good Speaker when
backed by only a small majority, and
confronted by a party of matchcss
discipline, great ability and unparal-
lcled impudcncc and audacity. An
anecdote is related that the wife of
Radical Congressman Hale remarked
that Randall was the best Speaker the
House had ever had. Randall has,
moreover, had an experience Of several
years, and in this respect enjoys great
advantage over Blackburn, who is as
yet untried. While Blackburn is a
man Of great ability, he has too much
fire in his nature to make good
Speaker, when party lines are closely
drawn and the fight often wakes
bitter. lie is moreover a Southerncr,
great crime in the belief Of the
North; and lie headed the fllibustcrs
in the Eight-to-Scvcn contest in 1877.
Ills election would impart q birthstone
odor to the Congressional air, most
alarming to the timid Union man, and
would afford fresh grounds for the
Radical howl that the South has
captured the United States.
In addition to all this it must he re-
mcmbered that the country is on the
brink ola Vesuvian volcano. The
determination of the Democrats to
repeal unjust and oppressive Radical
Legislation is already denounced as
the inception of a new rebellion. It is
just as well not to press the fight too
far, or, in homcly but expressive
words, "not to bite off more than we
can chaw." Let the Speakership be
again given to Randall, whose devo-
ton to the cold flag" is well known,
instead Of putting an "ex-rebcl" to
head the party in its new insurrcction.
The Presidential contest in 1880 will
be the severcst ever witnessed, far cx-
cceding the troublous times of 1876.
II necessary, Grant will be put at the
head Of the "Loyal North" as the
man to crush this new rebellion, and
prestige, thousands may be dazzlcd
and dazcd SO as to misunderstood the
meaning Of the struggle, and to be-
licve that, instead Of restoring the
Union to constitutional limits, the
Democrats arc bent on subverting the
government.
1t is just as we'll to proceed CALI
tiously. While the Democrats should
begin to show some backbone, thcv
ought not let 1t become too stiff or to
protrudc like ram-rod above their
shirt-collars. They should be careful
not to overdo the business. 1t will be
enough to repeal the test oath and the
election laws without clevating al
extreme Southern man to the highest
place in Congress in addition. Black
burn is very fine fellow, but Randall
should be made Speaker. Don't let
us swap horses in tho middle of the
stream.