Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-04-27
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

TEE UPsHor ON'r-We have seen nothing
whatever since the desertion of Senator Doug
las from the Democratic party, to lead to the
hope that he and those following him to the
point of opposition at which he has at length
arrived, can possibly fail to become full blown
Republican party-men by the time the ap-
Senatorial election for Hl;nois-the
event influencing him to his course-shall have
occurred. 1t is well known here that he and
those OF Congress who have made up their
minds to sink or swim with him, are perfectly
aware that they are to become of the Repub.
lican party. Their apparent efforts to prevent
the country from chasing them. at this time,
with Messrs. Hale, Wilson, Lovejoy, and Gid
dings, is simply directed to the end Of enabling
them to make the best terms possible with the
Republican party managers. Going off from
the Democracy empty handed-that is, without
carrying of a substantial army Of deceived
Democratic vOters-they will be simply in the
way of the ambitious and veteran Republican
party leaders, who will by no means consent to
be showed aside merely for tho accommodation
Of Messrs. Douglas, Harris, Stuart, ct al So,
in order not to 60 off without crowds offolowers,
they continue to profess to sympathize with the
Democracy.
The action of the conference committee in
agreeing on basis of settlement Of the Kansas
imbroglio, which, while it is sanctioned by the
almost entire Democracy Of the South, is also
sanctioned by all the Northern Democracy Of
Congress except those who have no future
individual political prospects outside of the
Republican party organization, has certainly
precipitated the tearing off of the masks of the
now Republicans in disguise; it being no longer
possible for them to deceive even the most
ignorant and unsuspicious as to where they
now stand in politics. Nay, their own news
papers, seeing that their game is completely
played out. are themselves tearing away their
masks. VIDE the following brief extract from
the Washington correspondence of the New
York Times of Friday last:
"UPon the condition of parties and the rela-
tons OF party leaders the proposed measure of Mr.
English will excite most powerful influence IL
| will sePa ate Mr. Douglas and his Immediate
| friends forever from the Administration and the
Democracy. Already Democratic Dougla and
an Administration Convention been held in Illi-
| nos. distinguished member Of the delega-
| ton, not the Senator, declared to-day that the
| Republicans had only to behave with prudence
and they would make Illinois reliable an anti
/ sldVcEy state dS vermont. Inc anti LecOmDtOn
| branch Of the Democracy, which is only another
name for the anti Southern wing Of it, must now
| of course join the Republicans. who will be
| their representative and candidate in 1850 is not
| yet question. 1t may be Mr.. Douglas, or Col.
Fremont, or Mr.. Seward, or Gov Chase, or Mr..
| Broderick. The choice will not be confined TO
Old Line Wings, nor to Republicans Of 1S56.
| The frontiers Of the party are extended and are
wide enough to take In ali sincere converts Mr.
Banks, who voted in the frst stage for the repeal
OF the Missouri Compromise, was not excluded
| in 1854. nor will Gov. Wise, Mr.. Crittenden or
Mr. Bell be excluded now :"
Col. BENrON's LAST WORK-A few days
it is proposed that Congress shall order an edi-
ton of this valuable publication for the use of
the members and the various offices and bu
| reaus of the Executive department of the Gov
eminent Subsequently, we have taken occa.
sion to look somewhat more closely into the
subject, and have satisfied ourself of its far
greater practical utility than that of any other
of the various works bearing on the history of
American public affairs known as Congression-
al books. Congress now subscribe for the
Register Of Debates the "Annals of Con-
gress," and the " Congressional Globe" in all
making about 40 folio volumes, mono of which
| are indexed except few of the last published
volumes Of the Congressional Globe Without
being indexed, it is next to impossible to find,
in these ponderous and frequently confused
tones, what the statesman or legislator may
require to know to enable him to transact the
public business intelligen,ly. Without an
index, or such an abridgment of the proceed
ings of Congress from the first session, On all
subjects of Importance, the works named above
| are neither more nor less than next to useless.
This fact is so well understood by public men,
| as that for years past both Houses of Congress
| have been run down with applications Of lite
rary men to be employed to index them. The
| certain comparative enormous cost of the prep
| aration and publication Of such indexes has So
| far prevented Congress from ordering them to
| be commenced. 1t strikes US that If this man
usl of Col. Benton, for such il is in reality, be
| taken by Congressman it cannot cost half rs
| much as the preparation of proper indexes Of
| the other works referred tO-all necessity for
| them will he done away with as in nine eases
out Of ten Benton's Abridgment will do away
| with necessity for consulting the more ponder
Gus volumes; and where not obvating that ne
cessity, will so thoroughly inform the searcher
on the subject he may be investigating, as to
store his mind with knowledge Of it that will
enable him, in investigating beyond its pages,
to get on with his work conveniently in the
absence of the otherwise absolutely necessary
index.
Mr.. ENGLISH.-Mr. English, of Indiana, is
fairly to be congratulated on his escape from
the very jaws Of Republican partyism, so re-
Gently gaping wide open, with longing tongue
out, to lap him into that moloch of over fast -
gentlemen in politics. We knew him we'll for
many years before he worked his way into a
seat in Congress, for one of the most emphatic,
and, we thought sagacious members of the
Democratic party with whom we ever associa-
ted. When We found him playing, as We
thought, into the hands Of abolitionism on the
great question in issue before the country, We
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