BEDFORD INQUIRER. BEDFORD, Pa. Friday Morning, Feb. 17, 1860- FEARLESS AND FREE." D. OVER—Editor and Proprietor. FOR PRESIDENT IN 1860, HON. SIMON CAMERON, OP PENNSYLVANIA, (Subject to the decision of the National Convention.) PEOPLE S MEETING. Pursuant to notice, one of tbe largest and roost respectable meetings assembled in the Court House, on Tuesday evening last, that ever convened in this place. The meeting was called to order by the ap pointment of AbRAM B. BUNN, Esq. of Schellsburg, as President, JACOB EBBERT, West Providence, SAM'L ARMSTRONG, Esq., Snake Spring, WM. GRIF FITH, Esq., Unicn, Capt. J. A. OSBORNE, Broad Top, LEWIS KOONIZ, Esq., Monroe, NATHAN HUNTER, Hopewell, and JOHN S. HETRICK, St. Clair, Vice Presidents, and Sam'l J. Castner, Esq., Middle Woodberry, and G. IF. Householder, Esq., of West Provi dence, Secretaries. A Committee of five were appointed to draft Resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting, consisting of Fr. Jordan, Esq., Wm. Ji. King, John G. Minnick, John E. Colvin and Dan'l M. Bare, Esq. Hon. S. L Russell was then called upon, and addressed the meeting ia a happy and for cible manner. R. D. Barclay was next loud ly called upon, and responded in an able, elo quent and convincing speech of about an hour in duration. Mr. Barclay is one of oar youn gest members of the bar, and gives promise to make one of the Soest speakers in the State. Mr. Jordan was next called upon, aud deliver ed ono of his usual able and forcible speeches. Much enthusiasm was manifested, and tbe speakers were greeted with frequent bursts of applause, and from tbe spirit exhibited we ean safely predict a People's triumph in Bed ford County, next fall. Tbe following Resolutions, reported by the Committee, were then unanimously adopted: Resolved , That our attachment to tbe Con stitution ana Union is as firm and immovable as the everlasting hills of our County—they are consecrated by all the glorious memories of the past, and are the only foundation upon which we can rest our hopes for the future.— No patriot will violate the one or attempt to destroy the other. Resolved , That the threats to dissolve the Union, in the event of an opposition Speaker or President, made by Locofoco members of Congress, show that they care more for the spoils of office than for the good of their oountry, and that they are ready to break up the government, if they oanDot accomplish their own selfish purposes. They deserve to be execrated by every true-hearted American. Resolved , That we reiterate our condemna tion of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. Time has proven it to be a most mischievous measure, the wicked and fruitful cause of all the strife and bad feeling which have agitated the country since its passage. That all tbe difficulties and bloodshed ia Kansas, and the murderous invasion of Virginia by John Brown and his band of armed men, are fairly attributable to the repeal of that sacred com pact; and for all these iniquities the Democrat ic party, which elected and sustains the men who voted in Congress for that repeal, is clearly responsible. Resolved , That wo are opposed to any inter ference by tbe citizens of one or more States with the institutions of any sister State, and we will aid by oor arms, if necessary, in de fending aDy State or Territory against lawless invasion, and we condemn, most emphatically, the atrocious invasion of Kansas and Vir ginia. Resolved , That the citizens of each State being—as expressly declared iu the Constitu tion—entitled to all privileges and immunities of oitizens in tbe several States, we cannot bnt disapprove of the conduct of our brethren of the South, in maltreatiug aud banishing by mob force citizens of tbe North who are guilty of no erime known to the laws of any State of tb Union. Resolved , That ibo election of the Hon. Win. Pennington, of New Jersey, to the Speak ership of ibe House of Representatives, gives us great joy, as it secures to the opposition the control of the House in the appointment of the Committees, and will enable them to make a thorough investigation of tbo corruptions of the Administration. Resolved ' That the conduct, during that pro tracted struggle, of our Representative, the Hon. Edward McPherson, has given U9 sincere gratification. "He is tho right man ic the right place," and understanding well, as he does, tbe interests of hts district, wo feel as sured that they are safe iu his keeping, and that be will do whatever can be done to ad vance them. Resolved , That we most deoidedly condemn tho eonduot of tbe Democratic members of Congress, who, by their factious course for eight woeks, prevented the election of a Speak er, and the organization of tho House, and during ail thai time kept the creditors of the government from obtaining their just dues; on the other hand, the high minded and patrtotio course of tbe opposition members merits and ha* oor warm approval. Resolved, That we are in favor of a Tariff suffioient to protect every branch of American industry, and enable it to compete with the pauper labor of Europe, and to give to our farmers a borne market for all their products. The history of oar country proves that when our industrial interests are protected, the na tion is prosperous, aud the present depressed condition of nearly all those interests, and the wants of tbe national treasury, emphatically demand a change in our revenue laws. S Resolved , That, believing, as we do, that slavery is an evil, we are opposed to its exten sion, and, as Congress has heretofore exercised power over it in the Territories, it ought to be excluded from them by Congressional enact ments, so that they may be settled by freemen whose labor alone can properly develope their resources, and make them successful, prosper ous und great States. Resolved , That we are io favor of tbe pas sage of a law by Congress, "to secure home steads to actual settlers on tbe public domain." There are now belonging to government about one thousand millions of acres of public lands, and no better or wiser disposition oonld be made than to give them in small quantities to actual settlors, and thus prevent them from going into the hands of heartless specula tors. Resolved, That the administration of "Penn sylvania's favorite sou" is a most miserable failure. Its pusillanimity is without a paral lel in the history of our government. Our respect for the high office to which, in an evil hour for the country, he was elected, alone re strains us from expressing our contempt for tbe man who could deliberately break bis most solemn pledges, and who retains in his Cabiuet a Secretary of the Treasury who differs with bini upon a measure of great national import uuce. Resolved, That the course of George W. Williams aDil George G. Walker, during the present aessioD of the Legislature, deserves and has our most cordial approval. Resolved, That Daniel Washabaugb, David Over and Goo. W. Williams, be appointed Conferees, to meet similar Conferees from the Counties of Adams, Franklin, Fulton and Ju niata, to select two delegates to represent the 17tb Congressional district of Pennsylvania in the National Convention, which will meet at Chicago, on the 13th of June, next., to nomi nate candidates for the Presidency and Vice Presidency. Resolved, That PaviJ Over, Esq., bo, aul bo is hereby appointed, alternate Representa tive delegate to tbe State Convention, which meets on the 2'2d inst. Conferee Meeting. The Conferees for this Seutoiial District, met at the house of Col. John Hafer, in Bed ford, on Tuesday evening last, to appoint a Senatorial Delegate to tbo State Convention which meets at Harrisburg, on the 22d inst. Dr. H. K. Neff, Col. J. A. Doyle, aud Levi Evam>, Esq., appeared on the part of Hunt ingdon County , and Hon. S. L. llussoll, John King, Esq , and David Over, on the part of Bedford County. Somerset County was not represented in the Conference. On motion, Col. J. A. Doyle, was appointed President, and David Over, Seoretary. Resolved, That the Delegate elected by this Conference be instructed to support the nomi nation of the Hon. Samuel Calvin, of Blair County, as the candidate of tbe People's Party for Governor, in the coming State Convention. Resolved, That tbe Hon. Simon Cameron is the choice of the People of this Senatorial District for President, and that we pledge him the largest vote ever given to aoy candidate, should he be nominated. The following Resolution, offered by Dr. H. K. Neff, as rejected : Resolved, That the said Delegate be instruc ted to advocate tbe right aDd policy of the State Convention to eieot Delegates to repre sent this State in the Natioual Convention, to be held at Chicago, in June next, to nominate a eaudidate for *he Presidency. Resolved, That the proceedings of this Con ference be published iu all the papers of this District opposed to the sham Demooracy. J. A. DOYLE, President. D. Ovxa, Secretary. PETERSONS' DETECTOR, The February uuraber of Petersons' Detector has been received by us. It contains a full de scription of Ninoty-five New Counterfeits; also on page 39, complete and perfect deeoriptions of over one hundred Bogus Bank-note Plates, eagraved in tbe best stylo, and which are being altered nearly daily to various Brnks through out the country. This list has been compiled at great expense, and is an essential to every body who has the handling of bank-notes. One great leature of Peterson's Detector is a page of information ou finance, locally and general ly, written expressly for this work by one of the least visionary, best informed, aud most able, experienced and practical monetary wri ters in this country. It will be continued in each number of the Detector, aud includes in formation on trade, corumeroc, money, specie, stocks, bonds, banks, and railroads. The gen eral contents of the work are admirable. The price of it, semi-monthly, is only Two Dollars a year, or monthly, One Dollar a year. We would advise all persons to remit the price of a year's subscription to T. B. Peterson & Bros., Philadelphia, at once for it. THE HOMEHTEAI* EXEMPTION BILL.— The Exemption Bill just brought forward in the State Legislature, provides that, in addition to tho property now exempt by law from sale uu der execution, there shall he exempt by law from levy and forced sale, under aDy execution for debts hereafter contracted, the lot and buildings thereon, occupied as a residence by the debtor,—being a householder and having a family—to the value of SI,OOO. Such ex emption shall continue, after the death of such householder, for the beucfit of the family, some, or one of them continuing to occupy suoh bo nice toad until the youngest ohild shall become 21 years of age, and until the death of the widow; and no release or waiver of ruch exemption shall be valid. BEDFORD IWOUIRER. IOWA FOR CAMERON.—The lowa Republi can State Convention assembled on the 18th inat. That State ia entitled, under the oall of the National Committee, to eight delegates in the National Convention at Chicago, and she has elected them for the State at large, and also for the Congressional Districts, naming in all thirty throe delegates to be present and oast the vote of the State in the Natiooal Con vention. A correspondent of the Harrisburg Telegraph, writing from Desuioines, the day after the Convention, says: "The convention was large and harmonious. There is no doubt that a large majority of the Delegates are in favor of Simon Cameron for the Presidency. The feeling in bis favor, al ready very strong, is increasing rapidly here, where are men from all sections of the State." Col. John Hafer, of the Bedford Hotel, has tbe thaDks of the People's Senatorial Confer ence for his kindness, and for tbe splendid sup per to wbich he iovited them. This being Court Week, will be sufficient apology for lack of editorial matter. TOUCHING HIM IN THE RAW. After the election of Clerk of the House on Friday last, several of the friends of Col. For ney, and the Col. himself, were serenaded.— All of tbe gentlemen made speeches to the crowd, in which J. B. was handled without gloves. The following is a notice of Col. For neys remarks: "Col. Forney was serenaded to-night. In the course of bis oratorical response be said the Republican party had been basely slander ed in beiDg held responsible by their political oppoucuts for the Harper's Ferry raid. He had witnessed with pain tbe oonduot of North ern Democrats, in concert with those of tbe South, in furthering tbe views of the Adminis tration for the perpetuation of Slavery. Our country has higher and nobler ends. He would guard and protect every Southern right, and enforce tbe fugitive Slave Law. Iu cgn olusiou, he said ho was like Mazeppa when bound to bis (teed, who, whon sent forth on his perilous journey, from wbich it was de signed he should never return, shouted back to Lis persecutors, 4 I will returu one day.'— If tbe President, seated in his parlor, could £ear those shouts, he would know that be (For ney j was here." Roger A> Pryor on BeniieU, The official report in the Globe , of Mr. Pryor's remarks in the Hons- of Representa tives, on Friday in regard to Bgbpett) and the New York Heiald, is a9 follow? : •'Mr. Pryor. >lr. Clerk. I am relnctani to solicit the attention of the House, even for a moment, on a matter of personal privilege ; but the disagreeable duty is imposed upon me by an article in the latest issue of the New York Herald. 1 wish to protest at once, how ever, that I owe no obligation to respond to aoything that issues from the pen or the in ipiration of Jatnes Gordon Bennett. 1 should disparage the dignity of my position, and af front the feelings of honorable members, if I were to admit the propriety or the necessity of recognizing any utterance from that uotorious individual—a man who is conspicuous bv the persistent aud flagrant violation of all the rights and virtuous instincts of humanity ; who has supplied himself with money and the means ola pernicious influence by extorting contri butions from the fears of iunoceoce and levy ing subsides upon the gratitude of sympathetic aud confederate villainy ; a wretch who bears upon bis back the scars of many a merited chastisement, and upon his soul the Taint of every conceivable abomination ; a miscreaut who, in consenting to the dishonor of his owu family aud the profanation of the most sacred relation of life, has committed a crime for which no language furnishes a commensurate term of scorn aud detestation ; a foul and filthy creature, whose name is the execration of both continents, and from whose contact truth and virtue shrink as from the touch of leprosy ; a fiend who, denied the privilege of human fel lowship, and exiled from tho courtesies and charities of the social circle, is condemned to wear out the small remnant of a guilty and miserable existence in a solitude for which the wages of a prostituto press can purchase no relief and no consolation. I repeat to the House, that I would not obtrude upon their preseuce the image of an individual whose un utterable and unapproachable infamy distin guishes and stigmatizes him as tho shame and opprobrium of humauity. "But in candor, Mr. Clerk, I will not deny that he has some pretext of apology for his at tack on me, since, iu the discharge of my duty as a journalist, 1 had frequent occasion to lash him until his rhinoceros bide quivered with the pangs of excoriated sensibility. Let him con continue his assaults. No gentleman cau de sire a more significant and satisfactory compli ment than the abuse of James Gordon Ben nett. His applause is an argument of suspicion; his invective is a title of honor." THE SPEAKER. The following brief biographical sketch of Gov. Penuington, which we cut from a New York ootemporary, will be interesting to many, and will serve to bring to mind one of the stir iog political events of past times: Win. Pennington, or Gov. Pennington, as the name he is better known by ID New Jersey, was born in New Jersey, and has iivoJ there all his life, identifying himself with its iuterests, pro gress and prosperity. Pursuing the practice of the lw and performing the duties of ci'izjn,snip, he rather shunued than sought puMtc life,though always exerting his influence and his abilities to ptotnote the success of ihese principles to which the livos of Clay and Webster were de. voted. He was elected Governor of New Jer sey in 1837 and held it for the space of seven years, being annually chosen by the Legislature under the old Constitution. In that position he acquired a national repu tation, resulting from the controversy upon the admission of the New Jorsey members at the moeitug of the XXVI Congress, iu 1839. The first session of that Congress commenced on the 2d of December; but in consequence of the Clerk refusiug to call the names of the Arc Now Jersey members whose scats were contested, thg House remained unorganized until the 16tb of that month, when Robert M. T. Hunter was elected Speaker, John Quincy Adams, in tbe meantime having been chosen temporary chair man. On tbe 17tb the members of tbe House were sworn in, with the exception of the five members from New Jersey, who, exhibiting on their certificates —which were signed by Gov. Pennington—the "broad teal" of the State of New Jersey, came forward and demanded as their right to be sworn. This gave rise to a now and animated debate, which lasted until I the 21st, when the House completed its organ ization by the election of a Clerk, and on the following day President Van Buren sent in bis Annual Message. At the end of this period of service, Mr. Pen nington resigned tbe Governorship and return ed to the Bar. President Taylor appointed him Governor of Minncssots, which appointment the Senate confirmed. He declined that honor how ever, and another suhseqently tendered by Mr. Fillmore, without any solicitation, as one of the Judges to settle the claims under the Mexioau treaty. In eonsentiug to become a candidate for Con gress he yielded to the wishes of his friends.— He was elected by the ''People's Party," and represents tbe Fifth Congressional District of New Jersey, which is composed of the counties of Essex, Hudson and Union, being elected in 1858 over Jacob R. VVortendyke, the Democrat ic Candidate, by the following vote: Pennington 11.641 Wortendyke, Dem. 9.982 Pennington's majority 1.659 Persous should not confound the newly elect ed Speaker, William Penningtou, with Alex ander C. M. Pennington, who was also born iu New Jersey, ovt was a representative in Con gress from mat State from 1853 to 1855. The Vole for Speaker. The following is the vote in detail of the House on the successful ballot for Speaker: For Mr. Pennington, of New Jersey—Messrs. Adams, (Mass.) Adrian, Aldricb, Alley, Ash ley, Babbitt, Beale, Bingham, Slair, Blake, Brayt'm, Briggs, Buffi!igton,Burlingame, Burn ham, Burroughs, Butterfield, Campbell, Carey, Carter, Case, Colfax, Conkliug, Corwiu, Covode, Curtis, Davis, (Md.) Dawes, Delano, Duell, Douu, iidgertoo, Edwards, Elliot, Ely, Faros worth, Feuton, Ferry, Foster, Frank. French, Gooch, Graham, Grow, Gurley, ilale, Hall, lia.-k'n, iieluiiek, Hickman, Hoard, Humphrey, Hutohius, Irvine, Junkin, Kellogg, (Mich.) Kellogg,(lll.| Kenyoo, Killgore, Kiiiiuger, Lee, Leach, (Mich.) Lougnccker, Loomis, Lovejoy, Marston, Mill ward, McKean, McKnight, Mc- Pherson, Morebead, Morrill, Morse, Morris, (Pa.) Nixon, Oitn, Palmer, Perry, Pettif, Porter, Po tter, Pottle, Reynolds, Rice, Robinson, (It. I.) Royce, Schwartz, Scranton, Sedgwick, Sherman, Sowers, Spauldiog, Spinner, StautoD, Stevens, Stewart, (Pa.) Stratton, Tauuan, l'hayer, Tbe aker, Tompkins, Tram, Trimble, Vandever, Va£ Wyck, Verree, Wade, Waldron, Walton, Washbu". rue > (Wis.) Wasbburne, (III.) Wash burne, (Me.) Wells, Wilson, Windoni, Wood, and Woodruff—ll7. For Mr. McClerDaod, of Illinois Messrs. Al len, Anderson, (Mo.) A.'hmore, Avery, Barks dale, Barr, Barrett, Bocook, Bouligny, Brunch, Burch,Burnett, Horace F. Clarke, Clarke,(Mo.) Clemens, Cobb, John Cochrane, Cooper, Cox, Craige, (N. C.) Craige, (Mo.) Crawford, David son, Davis, (Ind ) Davis, (Miss.) Dejarnette, Dtmintck, Edmuudsoo,English,Florence,Fouke, Garnette, Gartrell, Hamilton, Harris, (Vu.) Hawkius, Hiuduian, Holman, Houston, How ard. Hughes, Jackson, Jenkins, Jones, Kuukle, L.mar, Lundruw, Lurrabee, Leake, Logan, Love, Martin, (Ohio,) Martin, (Va.) Maclay, Moßea, Miliaoo, Montgomery, Norris, (111.) Nolsou, Niblaok, Noel, Pendleton, Peyton, Phelps, Pryor, Reagan, Riggs, Robinson, (111.) Ruffio, Rust, Scott, Sickles, Sims, SingletoD, Smith, (Va.) Stevenson, Stewart, (Md.) Stout, Taylor, Thomas, Underwood, Vallandigham, Wbitely, Winslow, Woodson, Wright.—Bs. For Mr. Gilmer—Messrs. Adams, (Ky.) An derson, [Ky.] Brabson, Bristow, Etheridge, Harris, (.Ma.) Halloo, Hill, Leach, [N. C.] Mallory, Moore, iKy.) Nelson, Quarles, Smith, (N. C.) Stokes, and Webster —16. For Mr. Smith of North Carolina—Messrs. Boteler, Hardeman, Maynard, aad Vance—4. For Mr. Crawford—Messrs. Cloptoo, Curry, Pugh and McQueen —4. For Mr. McQueen —Messrs. Bonham, and Miles—2. For Mr. Stevenson— Bojce. For Mr. Miles—Keitt. For Mr. Houston—McClernand. For Mr. Boyce—Moore, [Ala.] * THE HARPER'S FERRY INVESTIGAT ING COMMITTEE. WASHINGTON, Feb: 2. The Harper's Ferry Investigating Committee, to-day, discharged itealf from further attend ance and he will immediately leave for New York. Thaddeus Hyatt arrived here to-day, and will appear before the Committee to-morrow morning. Senator Wilson was before the Committee to day. He stated that early in May, 1858, Col. Forbes cine to his seat in the Senate Chamber and introduced himself, and informed him that he [Forbes] bad beeu employed by Brown, to go to Kansas to drill some force there in 1857, and Brown bad not paid him; that bis family was starviug in Europe, that tbe men in the East who had contributed money for tbe defence of Kansas, ought to pay him. He was much excited, and Jeuounced Brown and m-bors. lie said that some of the arms seut to Kansas had passed into Brown's hands, and were stored in iowa, and that he was not a safe man, and that these arms ought to b taken out of his control. Supposiug that ho refeired to the border diffi culties betworn Missouti aud Kansas, aud that Brown might retaliate any attacks upou Kausas by going into Missouri, he [Mr. Wilson] wrote to Dr. Hare, suggesting him to see the men who had contributed aims tor the defence of Kansas to get those arms out of Brown's bauds and place them in the control of reliable men iu that Territory, who would see that they were ouiy used for purposes of defences. Ho said that if those arms would be used for illegal purposes it would involve the men who contributed them iu trouble. Dr. Hare immediately wrote back that an order had beeu sent to Brown to deliver up tbo°e arms. The matter passed out of his [Mr. Wilson's] uiiud and he supposed all wis right. Ho nuver heard a word about the organization of forces for iurasiou at Harper's Ferry iu 1858 or afterwards, aud did not kr.ow that Dr. liure had sent his letter to Browo. WINTER DAVIB. We observe that the dogs of the Washing ton Sham Democratic journals have been let loose upon Mr. Winter Davis, since that gen tleman took the liberty of voting for Speaker after the manner that his sense of doty dicta ted. What these papers say on any subjeot is of very little weight, owing to their depend ent position as mere organs of various fac tions and individuals in their party, whose or bit is confined to the Federal Capitol. Tbey say what those who establish and support tbein, for personal or other equally good reas ons, desire them to say. But not only are their utteranoes of no weight on this account, they are so from their intrinsic character. In their assaults on Mr. Davis, they exhibit nothing but the virulence of empty black guardism. They simply call foul names. No man can possibly be injured by assaults like these, destitute as they are of argument, of foroe, of any intellectual quality whatever, of all pith and poiDt. Mr. Davia has dared to vote for Gov. Pennington for Speaker, and for this act there is nothing to be done but to as sail him with empty denunciation. We leave the defence of Mr. Davis to him self, kuowiDg toat he Deeds no aid from us.— When those who are entitled to ask shall call on bioi for explanations, be will, no doubt, furnish them in a manner that will leave noth ing to be desired. But of his political posi ! tion before the country we do not hesitate to speak. Since the days of Pinkney, Maryland tiae sent no abler man and no more finished otator to the councils of the nation than Mr. Wimer Davis. As a speaker of commanding power and eloquence he had no superiors in the las' Congress, and he has none in this.— His cl aracter, too, is above reproach and above suspi ton. Indeed, we may say, indepeodeut of all political considerations, that we know no mau in public life of Mr. Davis's age wbom we ca" place before him in all those qualities that give promise of a brilliant career. Standing as perhaps he now does, at a turn ing point in bis political fortunes, it is not for us to predict the future. All we can say is, that bo seems to us to manifest the sagacity to perceive, as we know he has the ability to maintain, the demands of his position. Polit ical exigencies arise in the life of every man who holds distinguished place, and upon his own prescience and comprehension must de pend the success with whieh he turns them to account. We believe, from our knowledge of the character and talents of Mr. Davis, that be is equal to his situation, and that he will not fail to come up to the high expectations of his friends, and to return the confidence of the constituency he so well represents; while he will at the same time challenge the respect of the country. With this lotty and iuspiring prospeot before him, he can afford to disregard the yelping ours who beset his heels. Of those who are worthy to meet him iu the open field of political discussion, he will certainly entertain no apprehensions. There are but few, either iu Congress or out of it, who will seek this contest. It is not one of the least marked, or least valuable of Mr. Davis's characteristics, that be possesses a command ing influence with tbe masses of the people.— His greatest oratorical triumphs have been won before promiscuous crowds. In the scenes that are betore him, this quality will doubtless prove of great service :<s well in a personal as a political point of view. We shall watch the fortune of Mr. Davis, and tbe political for tunes of Maryland under his guidance, with an abiding interest. He is the leader of his par ty, and he is tbe popular favorite of the State, and, in tbe developments to wbich the times point, it may turn out to be bis fortune to play no moousidorable part in,the history ot the country.— -A. 1. Tribnnt. A I nioe Speech by the Speaker Elect. The following interesting incident we clip from tbe Washington Star> of last evening : Mr. Pennington was waited upon last even ing, at Willard's, by numerous friends, who, after exchanging the usual salutations, and congratulating hiui on bis elevatiou to the high and honorable post of Speaker, were invited to accept of that gentleman's hospitality. At tleveo o'clock Withers' Band arrived and serenaded him, performing in spirited style a number of natioual airs. Some two hundred or more persons were in a short time assembled, three cheers were given ior Mr. Pennington, and then loud oalls made fur that gentleman. Mr. Pennington on being introduced, said : I am very much indebted to yon, tny friends, for the pleasiug visit that you have made to me this night. Wbeu we hear a uatiooal air, it always satisfies me that we belong to one country, and i have no belief in tha doctrine that tbe time is near at baud, or can be, that we are to he separated. We arc ons people, and 1 trust in Heaven we shall ever remaiu so. There will ulways be in a free country like ours diversities of opinion, different views, and a great variety of interests which must neces sarily prevail ; but there is a spirit of patriot ism tbat burns iu our hearts that will not yet 06 extiuguished. Our land is a land of free men, our liberties were achieved by great ex ertions aud services of our fathers, aud 1 be lieve uo man iu this generation will let this blessed inheritance go to piuoes. And if wo do wrong at one tiii}e,yoit remember the saying Mr. Clay, tbat old patriot, when he wont home to Kentucky, after haviug voted for the com pensation law, on being addressed by some old man, who said, t'Oiay you have done wrong." "Well," says he, "my friend, if you were out guotnng, ana on pulling the tiigger your gun didn't go off, what would you do? Would you throw it away, or would you try it over again ?" "Nay,*" sail be, "1 would pick the flint and try it over." Now.il auythtugis doue wrong in this country, a little time will aiake it right, because we have a national feel ing and a natioual honor. When I heard tbe national air playod as yon came in here to-night, it went to my heart: and I said as long as our Natioual songs re main, this country will be uuited. Discordant States! 1 ibiuk uo man iu his sober senses can agree to any such proposition. I tell you now there never was a greater mistake thau to believe that Northern meu have aqy bad feel ings against Southern men, or the body ot South', rn meu agaiust Northern. My frieuds, .* always belongs to the rcpuoiicau institution, that there must be a great varioty of public opiniou upon ail (piusnon* ud our only security is to bear and terhear , and the strength of our institutions depcuds upeu In ve o: country. And it we are uot imbued with patriotic feelings, there is no hopo tor the stability of our oountry. Buc my taitb is this, that we all love oar country, and that will abide by her destiny for good or for evil. I thank you for the high compliment which I feel you have bestowed upon at by this visit. lam glad the House is organized. If this organization had been effected by the se lection of any other gentleman, perhaps it would have been better, but be assured 1 will endeavor to discharge the arduons duties of the high position to which I have just been elevated as best 1 can, and to preserve this glorious Uuion intact." WASHINGTON OITT—The contest for Prin ter has been close and is yet undetermined.— The Speaker has announced the Committees. They are as follows : Committee on Ways and Means—Messrs. Sherman, Davis, of Md., Phelps, Washburne, of Me.; Wilson, Morriell, Craw ford and Spauldiog. Committee on Commerce—Messrs. Wash burns, of 111.; John Cochrane, Elliott, Smith, ot N. C.; Moorebead, Lamer, Nixon and Clemens. Military Affairs—Messrs. Staunton, Curtis, Bonham, Buffington, Olio, M'Rae, Pendleton, Lougoacker and Boteler. Naval Affairs—Messrs. Morris, of Me., Bc cock, Pottle, Wroslow, Wilson, Curry, Sedg wick, Harris, of Md., and Schwartz. Territories—Messrs. Grow, Perry,. Smith, of La.; Gooche, Waldron, Ciark, of Mo., Chase, Vadandingham and Ashley. Judiciary— Messrs. Hickman, Bingham, Houston, Taylor, Nelsoe, Kellogg, of 111., Rey nolds, Robinson of R. 1., and Porter. On Elections—Me.-srs. Gilmer, Dawes, Campbell, Boyoe, Marston, Stevenson, Gar trell, Hattou aud M'Koight. On Claims—Messrs. Tappao, Hoard, M'- Clernand, Ely, Moore, of Ala., Walton, May nard, Hale and Hutchinson. Pubho Lands— Messrs. Thayer, Lovejoy, Cobb, Covode, Davis, of Ind., Trimble, Van dover, Wiudow and Barrett. On Post Offices aud Post Roads—Messrs. Colfax, Woodruff, English, Adams, of Ky., Abl, of R. 1., Davis, Miss., Crag, of Mo., Helmick aud Lee. On District of Columbia—Messr. Carter, Kilgore, Burnett, Rioe, Garncit, Conkling, Pricer, Edgerton and Anderson of Ky. Private Land Claims—Messrs. Washburne, of Wis., Clark B. Cochrane, Avery, Kenyon, Hawkins, Hamilton, Anderson of Mo., Boulig ny and Blair. Manufactures.—Messrs. Adams of Mass., ricranton, M'Queen, Lake, Moore, of Ky., French, Dunn, Kigga and M'Kean. Agriculture—Messrs. Butterfield, Corey, Whiteley, Stewatt, of Pa., Wright, Bristow, Aldricb, Buncb and Grow. ludian Affairs—Messrs. Brigge, Burroughs, Woodson, Famsworth, Clark, of New York, Scott, Leach, of Michigan, Edwards and Al dricb. .Militia—Messrs. Tompkins, Irvine, Jeniogs, Webster, Roffim, Wells, Parker and Sim mons. Foreign Affairs—Messrs. Corwia, Burling ame, Barksdale, Morris of Pa., Branch, Boyce, Hall, Milles Humphrey. Revolutionary Pensions—Messrs. Potter, Verree, Craig, of N. C , Adrain, Jenkin, Rea gan, Babbitt, Dclauo and Leach,of N. C. Invalids' Pcnsioos—Messrs. Fenton, Foster, Sickles, Florence, Stakes, Kellogg of Mich., Hall, Brabson, and Martiu of Ohio. Roads and Canals—Messrs. Briggs, Terry, Cox, Vance, Jackson, Duell, De Jarnette, Holl man, Fenton, Public Expenditares—Messrs. Baskin, Pal mer, Edmuuson, KiiliDger, Soccers, Hindman, Wood, Clopton and Foulke. Patents—.Messrs. .Mil I ward, Stewart of -Md. Burubam, Niblack aud Frank. Public Buildings and Grounds—-Messrs. Train, Beale, Kent, -McPberson and Peyton. Revisal and Unfinished Business—.Messrs. Logan, Jones, Howard, Babbitt, and Foster. Accounts —.Messrs. Spinder, Kuokel, Blake, Graham and Allen. Expenditures in the Public Buildings— .Messrs. Brayton, Noell, Walton, Harris of Va. r and Nelson. HON. JOHN HICKMAN ASSAULTED. WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 1860. A personal difficulty happenod after the ad journment of the House to day. As Mr. Hiokman was returning borne through the Cap itol grounds, ho was overtaken by Mr. Ed mondson of Virginia, who upon approaching bim called oot, tnd drew back bis band to strike. Mr. CliDgmau, who was accidentally passing, hastened op and seized bis arm, when Mr. Edmcndaton struck at Hickman with his loft hand, knocking off bis bat, but doing bim no injuty. The whole affair was instantaneous and seemed to surprise Mr. Hickman. Mr. Breckinridge, who came up, took him away,, and the scene ended. The aHeged provoca tion for this attack was a reflection npon Vir ginia, contained in a recent speech of Mr., Hickman, in which be charged that seventeen, men and a cow had frightened the iHate. The Washington correspondent of tbw New- York Tribnne, in giving an aceoaol af the proceedings in Congress on tbe day Penning ton was elected Speaker, oloses bis letter with the following paragraph: For eight weeks the daily sessions of the House have opened by a prayer from a Chris tian minister. This morning its proceedings were introduced by an invocation to tbe God of Abraham, Isaac and Jaoob, from the lipa of • Jewish Rabbi, olothed in tbe gorgeous habili ments of tbe Hebrew priesthood. He fer~ vcntly prayed that "the House of Represents lives uiigbt this day eloct a tuan to preside over tbeui." An irreverent spectator, when the result of the ballot was known, said it was evident that the Jewish dispensation bad more influeuoe over that crowd than the Christian, its types and shadows better fitted the charac ter of tkoe who, for two months have dictated and disgraced its proceedings, than the light and liberty of tbe Gospel. A KDFORTLYCEUM. The Bedford Lyceum will meet at the COSTS House OD Saturday eveuing next, at (ii o - clock. The public are invited to attend Reclaimer—\V. Fyan. Essayist—T. L. Lyon Question for regular debate: 'sSuould oapi'al punishment be abolished Affirmative—A. King. Negative—O .H. Gaitber. S. L. RUSSELL, Pcest. JNO. PALMEO, Sec'TY.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers