The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-01-07
WASHINGTON ITEMS.

"AAAAANNAON A4GmD
1t is understood that Mr.. Hughes, formerly
editor of the Richmond Examiner has become
associate editor Of the Union. The Examiner.
under Mr.. Hughess management displayed
much talent and energy.
A Washington correspondent of New York
journal says:
The proposition that Congress should pass
law admitting Kansas into the Union when
ever her people should choose to ratify the LIE.
compton Constitution, was proposed some time
ago by Attorney General Black, as a compro-
mise between the views Of the President and
Gov. Walker.
Mr. Buchanan positively declined the sug-
geston. 1t was urged, at that time, that if this
arrangement could be agreed upon, Governor
Walker would go back to Kansas, and use his
best efforts to save the State to the Democracy.
Now, it is said, this proposition finds more ia.
vor In official quarters, but the time for making
it available has passed"
Doubtless, the Administration is troubled
with the Kansas matter, and it may yet be forced
to go over to the Douglas ground.
themselves Republican, together with the Ma.
tiOndt Era of this city, assume the right to lee.
ture certain members Of the House of Repre-.
sentatives, to wit Messrs. Morris Of Pa, Clark
of Conn.,, Campbell of Ohio, and Clawson and
Robbins OF N. D., because they did not think
proper to vote for Mr.. Grow for Speaker.
These papers put on very arrogant tone,
and attempt to exercise usurped authority.
Whoever may have voted for these gentlemen,
they were elected as americans, and not as
Republicans. 1t is true that as choice of
evils, perhaps, some Of them two years AGO act
ed with the Republicans in the organization of
the House, and on many important questions
relating to Kansas but that gave the Repub-
hcans no right to demand party fealty from
them, and no such right is admitted; least of
all has the Era anything to do with them, as
they never recognised its authority or belonged
to its distinctive party Washington Ameri
can.
We did not 4" lecture certain members of the
House of Representatives" but chroniced the
conduct Of " certain members" The Era does
not usually wait to have its authority recognised
before it criticises the conduct of the members
of Congress, or records their acts. In this in
stance, we stated the fact that few Northern
opposition members saw fit not to unite with
their fellows in voting for Mr. Grow. We
quoted an excuse from the Newark MercurU.
and remarked that these gentlemen could have
the achOte honor of representing Know Nothing
ism in the House-from the North, we meant
of course.
We can add more that Messrs. Clark and
Campbell were elected as Anti.Slavery men
that they represent Anti.Slavery constituencies.
Mr. Clark was elected, not by an American
party, but Union party, which agreed to sink
the question of Americanism temporarily.
These gentlemen vote precisely as they please
on all questions, with, we suppose, entire free.
dom, and it is the province of the press to ex.
anime their votes, and if they misrepresent
their constituencies, or endeayor to weaken the
cause of Repubicsnism in Congress or the
country at large, to say so with the same free.
dom.
Two "grand entertainments have been given
in Washington, recently, by Postmaster General
Brown and Lord Napier.
AAO oSOohA II ara Will DC agaln Q6-
tailed for the purpose of laying down the At
lantic telegraphic cable next summer. So it
seems the company will not avail itself Of pri-
vate enterprise, but will rely upon Government
al aid in attempting the second time TO bind
the two continents together.
New Years Day passed off very handsomely
in Washington. The weather was unprece-
dentedly fine, and the people seemed generally
to enjoy it. At eleven, A. NJ, the President
and Miss Lane received the foreign ministers
and their suites. The Star says:
General Cass, escorting Madame Sartiges.
headed the line in entering the room; the mem
bers OF the Supreme Court were preceded by
the venerable Chief Justice fancy; then came
the officers of the Army, Navy, and Marine
Corps, in full uniform and when all were as.
sembled in the oval room, what with the bril-.
hantly -costumed diplomatic corps, the smartly.
uniformed officers and, not least, the display of
female loneliness, representing the beauty of all
chimes, and draped in apparel of the costliest
and richest description, it may well be imagined
that the effect was striking in the extreme
The presentations to the President of the
diplomatic corps were made in part by General
Cass; the Supreme Court was presented by
Marshal Hoover, the officers of the army by Col.
Cooper, of the navy by Commodore Shubrick,
and the marine corps by Gen. Henderson.
At IL O'Clock, the great north doors were
thrown open for the general reception, and, for
two hours, the human tide swept through,
emerging by the usual window exit, oiG the
East room.
s. The President appeared in excellent health
and Spirits and sustained the wear and tear of
the terribly hearty hand-shaking visited upon
him for two hours without visible fatigue.
Charming Miss Lane won all hearts. She
was dressed, as usual, most tastefully, and wore
the mos. bewitching of bonnets-a new feature.
by the way, at receptions, but which pleased
everybody"
The houses of Cabinet Ministers and MANY
private citizens were thrown open for the day
and we are glad to learn that the example was
set in high quarters to dispense with the fur
nishing of Intoxicating drinks. y ase,