Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-08
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

among the politicians, who, at such time as
the present, number three-fou of those ono
meets in public places. The Fremont men
are moving heaven and earth, as it were, to
make capital for the nomination of their ia
vOrite. A report has been in circulation
saying that Mr.. Justice Mclean will not ac-
cept the Republican or cOnglomerate nomina-
ton. 1t has had the effect of making MANY
of his friends lukewarm. From information
In cur possession, we have every reason to
scout that notion, and to believe that the
Judge will not require to be asked twice
The Northern wing of the ti-abolition
Know Nothings are hoping that Mr.. Fillmore
will decline Immediately on his return to the
United States; while their Southern allies in
Congress, believing him to be by far the most
available man for their cause in their respec-
tive States, are preparing to do their best to
keep him on the course. Their party affairs
are in queer state, indeed. All the signs of
the times here point to speedy dissolution of
what is known as the National Know Nothing
party. No man who knows how to Judge of
such matters can converse with the friends of
Fillmore from all quarters, without coming to
the conclusion that the chances are ten to one
that he will not carry single electoral vote
in the approaching Presidential election
Among the Democrats, the most interesting
topic Of discussion just now, is the portion of
the letter of Mr.. Buchanan upon the Nebraska
question, recently published in the Union,
which Mr.. Slidell did not communicate to tie
public. All sorts Ct stories concerning it are
afoat. 1t is to be regretted that Mr.. s. failed
to publish the entire letter, as the surmises
and rumors relative to it are prod ucing state
of feeling, on the part Of many Nebraska-bilI
men, such as will be with difficulty allayed
Tho most reliable account We have heard, is,
that the distinguished writer declares therein.
he would have voted against the bill because
1t repealed the Missouri Compromise.
The portion, published, however, is exceed
ingly satisfactory to the South in Congress, as
it places him in the position, not only of ac-
quiescence in the enactment of the bill, but in
that Of giving its principle an earnest support
Yet wo are satisfied, from all we can learn.
that unless the portion of the letter in aues-
ton, not yet spread before the world, be
speedily published. its suppression cannot fail
greatly to damage the prospects of Mr. Bu-
chanan for the Cincinnati nomination. The
presidential contest is to be fought on the Ne
traska question, and on that alone Tie man
nominated, whoever he may be, must be a
distinct and positive representative Of the
principle involved in the Democratic side of
that issue. This fact is becoming more forci
bly, apparent every day. The sooner all the
world comprehend it, the better will it be for
the Democratic party in the approaching con-
test. A nominal Democratic victory, in times
like the present, except upon the naked ard
distinct principle in issue before the country.
will be worse than defeat upon that great
issue of equal rights.
Fine Speeches.-In both the Senate and
House, yesterday, very able speeches were
delivered-both on branches Of the absorbing
topic Of the times. Mr.. Geyer delivered his
e1pec ted speech upon the Kansas question,
and we learn from prominent public men who
heard 1T, that it was an effort worthy of the
very highest oratoricsl reputation of the body
of which he is member, at any period of its
history. His familiarity with the Kansas
question, arising from his individual locality
lat home,) gave him great advantage in its
consideration, Of which he ayailed himself
We hear, in a mastery manner
The Democrats of the House and this civ
were yesterday all agog about the speech of
Mr.. Keitt, which was delivered at the Same
time in the other wing Of the Capitol 1t was
evidently carefully prepared argument upon
the slavery question and the existing political
condition of the country. 1t embraced amuI.
titude of facts of great Importance, all q
which were elucidated and enforced with sig.
nal and telling ability and force, before a
large and deeply interested audience
Refusal to Renominate President Pisrcs
Ii any southern men are disinclined to favor
the denomination of President Pierce. i. ia 70
be hoped that in consideration Of southern in.
terests, they will assign other reasons for thai,
action than the apprehension that IN. ho,s
ness of the President in upholding consti,u.
tional doctrines has made him unpopular WITH
men in the North Of free-soil tendencies.
The Boston Post, in a recent article re-.
marks as follows, on the effect which would be
produced on the Republicans and Abolition
lists by refusal, for such a reason, on the part
OF the South, to aid in the denomination of
President Pierce:
ioroear to remark on the effect such q
refusal, for such a reason, would have on the
material men at the North Let us attempt
TO describe the effect it would have on the
sccucEa!ists, How they would seize ON II to
give impetus to their sectional fame Thsv
falsely ailege-it is in all their mouth,-tbst
franklin Pierce has sold himself to the Sontb.
tney represent that he In tool NJ IN. So..I-,