Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-11-29
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

speedy return of Senator Douglas to Washing
ton, are greatly mistaken. We have satisfied
ourself, from information from Chicago direct,
that he entertains no idea of undergoing the
catechisng to which he will be necessarily
subjected Ito grow out Of the personal explana-
lions which will be made by the Southern
members of both Houses whom he and his
newspapers have represented as sustaining his
new doctrines) on the instant he may be here,
ready to confront those gentlemen. His pur-
pose is not to appear in the Senate chamber
until after the Legislature of Illinois shall
have disposed of the prize to secure which he
abolitionized himself last winter, and in the
late Illinois canvass maintained the right OF
squatters to prevent forever the application OF
a new State to come into the Union with
slavery, by legislation lab initiO) to exclude
its presence in any United States Territory. 1t
matters not under what pretence his absence
may be accounted for, the reader may rely ont
We here state the true reason for it. Had Mr.
Douglas given any assurance of his desire, even
at this late period, to be received back into
fellowship with the Democratic party, except
in altering the mere platitude of protestation,
in general terms, of continued Identification
with the party, there might be some reason to
hope that be is now prepared to stand or fall
with it,
But it will be remembered that just before
he returned to Chicago he made similar protes-
tations to all Democrats here who took occasion
to inquire as TO his future intentions with re-
ference to the Lecompton question and the
action Of the Democracy of Congress, which pro-
testations and assurances he repudiated in his
very first speech of the canvas, wherein he de-
nounced the Democratic party, as represented
In Congress, as being the enemies of civil lib
erty and the perpetrators of gross frauds, and,
in the same sentence, eulogized the Republican
party as the true friends Of the Constitution
Its actual saviors in its hour of greatest need
With the occasion for such arepudiation of his
voluntary promise, his implied promise in that
reputation passed off quite as suddenly-that
occasion being the failure of the Republican
party OF Illinois to accept his so early and bold
aid for their favor. Under such circumstances,
We have seen too much of politics to place
any confidence whatever in his last general
declaration of desire to stand hereafter by
and with the Democracy. That is, unless he is
tainly cannot do while holding his present views.
His purpose seems more likely to be to Sc
cure his reelection ere coming hither to essay
the task Of laying down his law I" to the Presi-
dent, the Cabinet, and the Democratic Sena tors
and Representatives" as was announced from
the balcony Of the fremont House (Chicago) to
a crowd assembled to serenade him, by the
friend whom he sent out to apologize for his
non-appearance to respond to the compliment
OF a serenade after the election. We do not
quote the words in which that announcement
was made by the speaker Just from his side.
delegated to speak in his (D.'S name, as he
declared, because they were abusive, vulgar,
and grossly blackguard. But that such as we
describe was the substance of his declara ton
OF the purpose of Mr.. Douglas on his return
hither, will instantly be realized by all who
read any report whatever of the proceedings
on the occasion here alluded to.
Mr.. Douglas does not design making his ap-
pearance again in the Senate Of the United
States until after the Illinois Legislature shall
have disposed Of the question of his reelection
As, until then, if coming, he must come with
tne hand and tongue that would vainly essay
to force his Abolition heresy down the throats
OF the Democratic party, securely tied for the
time being
CENTRAL AMERICAN AFFAIRs.-The follow
ing interesting remarks on the present aspect
OF Central American affairs are from q letter
OF the Washington correspondent of the Gin
clnnati Enquirer, of the 18th inst The sub.
Ject Is treated comprehensively, and the con.
illusions arrived at are entirely rational. and
eVincs mature study. The writer aIludes to
the expected contents of the Presidents forth.
coming annual message, and says:
Our foreign relations will receive espsci,l
attention from him, and particular stress will be
laid on Central American affairs II /, bardIv
likely, however, that MIR. Buchanan will so
strongly urge the employment of force aonin.t
such of the Central American nations a. 900
10 accede TO the demands Of this Government. az
the adoption OF measures TO thwaIt the evident
designs OF England and France to obia ain foot
hoid on the American Isthmus. The great al
vantages which the possession of thai istbmn.
VIII give to any stable and powerful government
snd iI my spPeeiatea not only by the President
statesmen Of England and France Tb.' o ,no
talhty that, at a day not very remote in the I'm
ture, this isthmus must be the seat of an emno
nun, hoidlng the same relation to the CONNER.
Deen held In ancient times by BABYLON AIeran
ara, and several cities Of the Mediterranean, is
ieil oy ali those who have accustomed rhems.Iyes
10 contemplate the progress of mankind, and
hence the Immense importance Of its possession
well understood by men Of all nations
ne recent efforts Of England and France TO
OBTAIN foothold on that portion Of this conti-
hent, as manifested by the latter in the Reilly
contract anair, and by the former In its declared
ihtehtion 10 assume pro;ectordte over Nicara
qua, In case any attempt is made toward the ,ub
re h', oa the present government Of that coun-
Wy oy nloustering expedition, plainly show
lndl our government must adopt more active
measures relative to this matter il w. wouid
Pfeven' the isthmus falling into the hands OF =
Foreign Power Hence, should not be surprised
II the PRESIDENT recommend the initiative toward
the acquisition Of that territory by purchase The
existing governments there are unworthy serious
consideration from any source, for those in con-
.loi are mere political hucksters, ready to sell
on. az any time to the highest bidder, and only
walun2 favorable opportunity TO strike a bar.
gam. Inc course pursued by the recent Envoy
extraordinary, who was sent 20 this goyernment
by Martinez, is enough Of itself to disgust every
hSht-mlnded man with Central American dinIc
macy. rms Jerez, you must be aware, after his
aIIlvsi mere, devoted almost his entire attention
10 seInhg a night OF way through Nicaragua and
when bargain was offered him, he left II incho
ave ana tIied to sell elsewhere, using the fact of