196 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [CHAP. XIV. 



having voted several times over for one candidate, was at length 

 objected to, and observed with naivete, &quot; that it was hard that 

 his vote should at last be challenged, when so many inspectors 

 had taken it before that same day.&quot; An emigrant ship arrived 

 at Newcastle, on the Delaware, in the heat of an election for 

 governor ; the Irish emigrants were asked if they would support 

 the democratic candidate. &quot; We are all for the opposition,&quot; they 

 replied ; and the ingenuity of the canvasser was taxed to make 

 them comprehend that the Ins in America, corresponded in their 

 politics with the Outs in Great Britain. 



Such anecdotes prove indisputably that the purity of the elec 

 tions is at least impeached, and it must also be borne in mind that 

 the system of ballot precludes all scrutiny after the election is over. 



Dec. 13. Washington. Went into the House of Represent 

 atives ; the front seats in the gallery are reserved for ladies. We 

 found the member for Connecticut, Mr. Rockwell, on his legs, 

 delivering what seemed to me an admirable speech against the 

 annexation of Texas, especially that part of its new constitution 

 which prohibited the legislature from taking steps toward the 

 future abolition of slavery. Some of the representatives were 

 talking, others writing, none listening. The question was evi 

 dently treated as one gone by mere matter of history, which the 

 course of events had consigned to the vault of all the Capulets. 

 Nevertheless, a feeling of irritation and deep disgust is pervading 

 the minds of the anti-slavery party at this sudden accession of 

 new territory, open to a slave population. A powerful reaction 

 has begun to display itself, so that the incorporation of Texas 

 into the Union may eventually be attended Math consequences 

 most favorable to the good cause, rousing the whole north to 

 make a stand against the future extension of slavery. Mr. 

 Winthrop has hailed this more hopeful prospect in the happiest 

 strain of eloquence, addressing &quot; the lone star of Texas,&quot; as it 

 was called, in the words of Milton : 



; Fairest of stars, last in the train of night, 

 If rather thou belong st not to the dawn.&quot; 



Crossing the Rotunda, we passed into the Senate, and heard 

 General Cass, of Michigan, delivering a set speech on the Oregon 



