Page:The History of Slavery and the Slave Trade.djvu/892

 

The thirty-sixth Congress assembled at Washington on the 5th day of December, 1859. On the first day of the session, after the House was called to order by Mr. Allen, the Clerk, who announced that 231 members had answered to their names, Mr. Phelps, of Missouri, moved to proceed to the election of a Speaker, which motion prevailed. Mr. Houston, of Alabama, nominated Thomas S. Bocock, of Virginia, Mr. Corwin nominated John Sherman, of Ohio, Mr. Adrian nominated John G. Davis, of Indiana, Mr. Haskin nominated John Hickman, of Pennsylvania, Mr. Stevens nominated Galusha A. Grow, of Pennsylvania, Mr. Briggs nominated Alexander B. Boteler, of Virginia. On proceeding to a ballot, it was found that 230 votes were cast—necessary to a choice, 116.

Mr. Bocock had 86 votes; Mr. Sherman, 66; Mr. Grow, 43; Mr. Nelson, of Tennessee, 5; Mr. Gilmer, of North Carolina, 3; Mr. Davis, 2; Mr. Adrian, 2; Mr. Haskin, 2; scattering, 7. No choice.

Mr. Grow then withdrew his name as a candidate. A motion was then made to adjourn. Lost.

Mr. Clark, of Missouri, offered this resolution:

Whereas, Certain members of this House, now in nomination for Speaker, did indorse and recommend a certain book hereinafter mentioned: Therefore,

Resolved, That the doctrines and sentiments of a certain book called the "Impending Crisis of the South," purporting to have been written by one Hinton R. Helper, are insurrectionary and hostile to the peace and tranquility of the country; and no member of this House who has indorsed or recommended the doctrines and sentiments therein affirmed, is fit to be Speaker of this House.

Mr. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, rose to a question of order, insisting that but one of two things could be in order, a motion to adjourn, or a motion to proceed to another ballot.

The Clerk said that point had been decided both ways.

Mr. Clark proceeded: Representing, as he did, a border Slave State, adjoining two non-Slave-holding States of this Union, representing a Slave-holding constituency, which he nevertheless claimed to be equal in intelligence, patriotism and morality with the constituency of any other member, he would be recreant to that constituency, wanting in self-respect, and himself a traitor to the common country, were he to fail in denouncing as they deserved the sentiments which had been indorsed by men who appeared before them as candidates for election to be presiding officer of the House.

Mr. Stanton said this line of discussion would be much more appropriate