Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-11-17
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

ABOUT The Philadelphia Press is already
engaged in ventilating the intrigue for the con-
Of which senssor Douglas organised
his grand " bolt" Of the last session. Thus II
indirectly announces Douglas a candidate
for the Presidency in 1880, against the nomina-
ton Of the Charleston Democratic National
Convention, whoever that may Be. The al
legged corruption of convention Is the main
excuse given by the Press for the propriety Of
the purpose of Douglas in this connection. The
Psnnsyfranian, commenting upon the rsvsls-
ton Of the Press, says, with truth and perspi-
eacity, indeed: .E.s5i
The above significant article from the Press Of
THIS morning, lets In the light upon the whole
Anti Lecompton movement, SO FAR as prominent
members Of the Democratic party have been con;
men, such as Hickman and his boiling associ-
ates were but collateral issues. necessary to pre-
pare the country for ventilation Of the grand
Convention at Charleston, and running an indie
pendent candidate for the Presidency, on the
single idea which has been selected as the basis
for this movement against the Democratic party
and Its candidate In 1850. This confession Of the
leading organ Of the Anti Lecompton faction eX-
plains much that was Obscure In the recent Con.
gressional contests In the Northern States. This
movement In favor Of an independent candidate
resched-to Congress. No man thus put before
the people can be chosen by the popular vote.
The choice must fall upon Congress.
In this view, 10 was important that the Thirty
Sixth Congress should be in the hands Of the OPP
position; and hence In all the northern States the
anti Lecompton faction voted direct for the Black
Republican candidates In all those districts where
they could not certainly elect a member Of their
own. This was the case in Pennsylvania, New
York. New Jersey, in Ohio, in the eastern States,
and throughout the whole Northwest. There
was but one object prominent in the canvass, and
hat was to secure an Opposition delegation in
the next Congress from each State, and by this
means make certain Of one vote adverse 10 the
regular nominee Of the National Democracy, il
Congress should be called upon to choose Pres
ident, by failure on the popular vote. Thiswas
the meaning Of the course pursued by the anti
Lecompton faction as interpreted by the confess
sion Of their leading organ In this State.
But will this scheme come to maturity and
yield such fruit as the conspirators desire Can
a mere faction, actuated by the most selfish and
meTcenary purposes, force into the Presidential
chair by trickery and management, a candidate
Of their own VIII the fact that a faction has
deliberately disturbed the peace Of the country
wasted a whole session Of Congress In discussion
on a point which was raised for the mere purpose
Of agitation and political capital, recommend
either themselves or their candidate to the Con-
stitutional, conservative men Of the nation More
than all, Is the Democratic party of the nation
willing 10 strike b inds with men who, after hav-
ing boosted OF their unalteTable attachment 10
principles, now unblushingly proclaim that the
the whole object Of their attack upon the party,
the President, and the rights Of one section Of
the Union, was to distract the national democ-
racy, impair Its position in the nation, aud thus
if possible, open the way for the election Of an
independent, irregular candidate for the first
office In the gin Of the people, This is the point
to be considered; for this the Press proclaims to
be the purpose Of that IA ;tion of which II is the
filling instrument and Representative.
The haste made in attac king that po ton of the
message Of Mr.. Buchanan which related to Kan
sas affairs is now illuminated. 1t was the frst
step In that path, which has its hoped for end at
the White House. The fault was not with the
Kansas policy of Mr.. Buchanan, nor with the
endorsement which the party gave the same.
Ihe plot had been concocted, and some Pretext
must be sought to commence operations on the
itne Of policy agreed upon. That pretext was
opposition to the Kansas Lecom ptOn doctrine
and the campaign then commenced has been
closed 10y the announcement that the authority Of
the Democratic party to nominate a candidate is
to be repudiated In 1860, and an independent can
didate put In the field by that faction which has
aided the Black Republicans in their recent vic
tories In the Northern States.
The secret is now out, and the line of party &C.
tion clear and unmistakable. liz the party Is not
to be totally dsjonted and its organization at the
mercy OF every ambitious and unprincipled dem
agogue who may wish 10 reach the Presidency
by short cut, the fight must be made at this
time and on the proftered issue.
UNITED STATES COURr-HoUsHs.-We learn
at the Interior Department that the new build
ing erected at Richmond, Va, for the accommt.
dstion Of the United States Court for that dis
trict, the Custom House and Post Office has
been completed. The rooms to be used by the
court are fitted up and furnished ready for oc-
cupation. The building is large, substantial,
and highly ornamental to the city.
At New York, Burton's Theatre has been
leased by the Government for the accommo-
dation Of the United States Court for that dis
trict. The lease is for fifteen years. The
building is new undergoing process of re- ar
rangement and fitting up, with a view to the
new use to which it Is to be appropriated; and
it is nearly finished. L. will possess every re-
quisite convenience for the court, and occupies
an eligible situation.
At Boston, the Government has taken steps
for the purchase Of the Masonic Temple, with
the intention Of converting it into a Court
House and the purchase will no doubt be con-
summated if the parties claiming the property
can satisfy the Government officers that they
hold valid title thereto, and are empowered
to convey the same. 1t can readily be fitted
up so as to afford ample accommodations for
court purposes.
At Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Buffalo, N .
T., new buildings have recently been erected
and are about completed, which will afford
ample accommodations for the U. S. Court,
Custom House, and Post Office in each of those
cities.
There are, also, in progress in several other
cities Of the Union, buildings intended for the
same purposes; but, besides those We have
mentioned, none Of them will probably be fin.
ished during the current season.
NAvAL.-The practice-ship Plymouth, ar
rived at Mobile on Sunday last, from Vera
Cruz, having on board Mr.. Forsyth, the U. S.
Minister to Mexico. She has been ordered to
this city, and the sloOp-of-war ST. Louis will
be despatched to supply her place in the Gulf
squadron. Commander Ogden will be ordered
to the st. Louie
1t is stated that tie Secretary of the Navy
has despatched orders to the squadron in the
Gulf OF Mexico, relative to the enforcing of the
recent proclamation of the President against