I can
only refer to a few, the chief of whom was Nathaniel P. Banks, who,
after a long struggle, was elected speaker. He was born in Waltham,
Massachusetts, January 30, 1816. He had risen into prominence
without any aid or advantage of early education or training. He
was the son of an overseer in a cotton factory at Waltham, where
he was for a time employed. He improved his leisure hours by the
study of history, political economy and the science of government.
He learned the trade of a machinist. He early acquired the habit
of speaking well on various subjects, and was elected as a Democratic
member of the legislature from his native town. In 1852 he was
elected to Congress, running upon the ticket with General Pierce,
the Democratic candidate for President. He took a decided stand
against the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. He was a man of
striking presence, with a fine voice and engaging manners. He
filled the difficult position of speaker with great credit, and is
still remembered by his associates as perhaps the best fitted for
the special duties of speaker of the House of any Member since the
time of Henry Clay. He was afterward elected Governor of Massachusetts
and continued in that position for several years. When the war
broke out he was appointed major-general of volunteers, but his
service in the army was not marked. After the war was over he was
re-elected to Congress, but seemed to have lost his power and
influence. In later years his memory was impaired and he "lagged
superfluous on the stage." He died September 1, 1894.

Lewis D. Campbell, of Ohio, was elected to Congress in 1848 as a
Whig, and re-elected to each successive Congress down to 1856, when
his seat was contested and the House of Representatives decided
against him. He and Banks were the leading candidates for the
speakership of the 34th Congress, but the majority of the anti-
Nebraska Members voted for Banks, and upon his election Campbell
was made chairman of the committee of ways and means, and had
substantial control of the business of that Congress. He never
was in hearty sympathy with the Republican party. He was subsequently
elected to the 42nd Congress in 1870 as a Democrat, but had lost,
in a great measure, his influence. He served for a time as colonel
of a regiment in the war. He was a man of marked ability but was
too erratic to be a successful leader in any cause or party.

In 1850, at the early age of twent