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Exciting Scene in the House of Representatives, Washington, on the Announcement of N.P. Banks, Jun. As Speaker

Cover of Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, February 16, 1856, with an article and print showing people cheering and waving their hats in the Old House Chamber, captioned, “Exciting Scene in the House of Representatives, Washington, on the Announcement of N.P. Banks Jun., as Speaker.” Text reads, “The Election of Speaker. The long struggle to organize the U. S. House of Representatives, by the choice of a speaker, just ended in the election of N. P. Banks, jr., of Massachusetts, has developed some new phases in our political character, that are worthy of special observation. At the formation of our government and for many years after, when the great principles controlling the currency, the tariff, and legislation generally were unsettled, the assembling of Congress was an important event, and the nation took an interest in its proceedings. But, as years rolled on, and the government machinery became settled and in good working order, the assembling of Congress has gradually become a matter of indifference to the people at large, its interest narrowing itself down to ‘claimants’ office seekers, and professed politicians. For nine weeks the press has been filled with the details of futile ballotings; for nine weeks, the chicanery, the decided ability, the acknowledged rascality, the elevated character, and the total want of character of our national representatives have been in conflict; the noise and confusion at Washington have been immense; but elsewhere throughout our broad land all has been indifference—the whole thing has been dwelt upon as a farce involving no serious consequences, and absolutely relieving the country from just so many days of pernicious legislation: in plainer language, the assembling of Congress annually is no longer absolutely necessary, and had it remained unorganized for a year or two to come, it would have been a subject of gratification rather than sorrow. The present administration came into power with a working majority of about eighty in Congress, so great has been the change in public sentiment in the course of two years, that for nine weeks, the tremendous power wielded by the Government, has never enabled it to make a show of success in favor of its special candidate for speaker. What has brought about this result our readers can decide for themselves, but a revolution so extraordinary has never before been exhibited in the sentiment of any intelligent self governing people. In the election of Mr. Banks, it cannot be denied that for the first time in our history, sectionalism has apparently prevailed. Presiding officer as he is, over the House of Representatives, his elevation was not acknowledged by votes representing the entire country, the South throughout the contest ignored him and his principles; from the West and North alone he received the support which secured him his elevation, yet for all this seeming want of sympathy with Mr. Banks, the Southern representatives the moment his election was declared, were among the first to step forward, acknowledge him as presiding officer, and with a gallantry worthy of true knights, desired to assist in his installation as Speaker. This sublime lesson of acquiescence to the will of the majority displayed by that prince of Southern men, Mr. Aikin, followed by Mr. Campbell and Mr. Fuller, is worth all the turmoil that has preceded Mr. Banks' election. Upon the brow . . .”/tiles/collection/3/3188.xml
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Cover of Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, February 16, 1856, with an article and print showing people cheering and waving their hats in the Old House Chamber, captioned, “Exciting Scene in the House of Representatives, Washington, on the Announcement of N.P. Banks Jun., as Speaker.” Text reads, “The Election of Speaker. The long struggle to organize the U. S. House of Representatives, by the choice of a speaker, just ended in the election of N. P. Banks, jr., of Massachusetts, has developed some new phases in our political character, that are worthy of special observation. At the formation of our government and for many years after, when the great principles controlling the currency, the tariff, and legislation generally were unsettled, the assembling of Congress was an important event, and the nation took an interest in its proceedings. But, as years rolled on, and the government machinery became settled and in good working order, the assembling of Congress has gradually become a matter of indifference to the people at large, its interest narrowing itself down to ‘claimants’ office seekers, and professed politicians. For nine weeks the press has been filled with the details of futile ballotings; for nine weeks, the chicanery, the decided ability, the acknowledged rascality, the elevated character, and the total want of character of our national representatives have been in conflict; the noise and confusion at Washington have been immense; but elsewhere throughout our broad land all has been indifference—the whole thing has been dwelt upon as a farce involving no serious consequences, and absolutely relieving the country from just so many days of pernicious legislation: in plainer language, the assembling of Congress annually is no longer absolutely necessary, and had it remained unorganized for a year or two to come, it would have been a subject of gratification rather than sorrow. The present administration came into power with a working majority of about eighty in Congress, so great has been the change in public sentiment in the course of two years, that for nine weeks, the tremendous power wielded by the Government, has never enabled it to make a show of success in favor of its special candidate for speaker. What has brought about this result our readers can decide for themselves, but a revolution so extraordinary has never before been exhibited in the sentiment of any intelligent self governing people. In the election of Mr. Banks, it cannot be denied that for the first time in our history, sectionalism has apparently prevailed. Presiding officer as he is, over the House of Representatives, his elevation was not acknowledged by votes representing the entire country, the South throughout the contest ignored him and his principles; from the West and North alone he received the support which secured him his elevation, yet for all this seeming want of sympathy with Mr. Banks, the Southern representatives the moment his election was declared, were among the first to step forward, acknowledge him as presiding officer, and with a gallantry worthy of true knights, desired to assist in his installation as Speaker. This sublime lesson of acquiescence to the will of the majority displayed by that prince of Southern men, Mr. Aikin, followed by Mr. Campbell and Mr. Fuller, is worth all the turmoil that has preceded Mr. Banks' election. Upon the brow . . .”
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Date

1856-02-16

Publication

Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper

Publisher

Frank Leslie

Dimensions

15 7/8 x 10 3/4 in. (40.3 x 27.3 cm)

Accession Number

2009.129.006

Credit Line

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives

Object Details

After 133 ballots—over the course of three months—the 34th Congress finally elected Nathaniel Banks as Speaker. The excited reaction of spectators in the mezzanine of the old House Chamber (now Statuary Hall) is the focus of this print, while the results are announced from the rostrum in the distance. Banks came to be known as a leading anti-slavery politician during the years leading up to the Civil War.

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