The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-12-16
Mr.. DOUGLAS, DEGRADED, BUT NOT
EXCOMMUNICATED.

The summary dismissal of Judge Douglas
from his position as chairman of the Territorial
Committee BY the almost unanimous vote ofhis
democratic friends, is one of the most sig
nifcant events of the day. 1t will be seen, by
the following report of the caucus proceedings,
that while nine voted against making change
in The absence of Mr.. Douglas, only one Sena-
tor voted for him to fill the vacancy. 1t seems
thrdore, that the desire to get rid of him on the
part Of his friends was as near unanimity as pos
slbe. 1t is also worthy Of remark, that Mr..
Hunter was among those who thought that the
nights of the South and the interests of the par
t! demanded his displacement. This was " the
unkndest cut of all !" and at once dashes
the hopes of those who have desired to bring
about coalition between Mr.. Hunter and Mr.
Douglas
This action on the part Of a majority Of the
Senate would seem to be intended as the formal
degradation Of the Illinois Senator from his rank
lnthe Democratic party; and it would be idle
Tor HIM any longer to hope for the Presidential
nomination at Charleston. He NAV as well
hang his harp upon the willows" for the pres
ent at least
1t Is said that Mr.. Davis of Mississippi, and
Mr.. Slidell, led the attack on Mr., Douglas in
caucus, and that they aided by Mr. Bright
the bogus Senator from Indiana. Doubtless
the Presidential aspirations of Mr.. Douglass
opponents had as much to do with his undoing
as MS soundness on the Slavery question. 1t
a: scarcely to be believed that the fidelity to
Slavery Of Mississippi Shareholder, who de-
'l@res that the institution must be perpetuated,
can be seriously doubted, even by jefferson
Davis The following account of the Demo
cratic caucus proceedings is taken from the Star
The Senate on Monday ratified the caucus ar
rangement by the vote of all the Democrats,
except Messrs. Broderick and Stuart.
The Craftsmanship of'Me Senate's Commit
zee on iaTHories.-Ihe question of the proprie-
Vi substituting some gentleman whose senti-
nen's are IN better accord with those of the
mass OF the Democratic Senator's on the various
teirilorles-S Slavery questions than are those of
Ar. Douglas, in the latters place as chairman
VI TIE committee named above was elaborately
discussed, We apprehend, Yesterday, after the
"rhaies adjournment, in the Senatorial Demo
T y.l caucus mentioned in our last issue.
WINE there was entire Immunity of opinion
WIN reference to the evident propriety of taking
eue care that the organ of the Democratic ma
{Oi'S' Ia That now most important committee
Huo~h 70 the Senate's organization and to the
.-'ure OIL me Democratic party, should be in full
',Uru win the Democratic party with reference
Tue vital questions upon which he must act
e'HaDiy as such organ, there was nevertheless
e'Iueht dlsinclination manifested by three
~" 10 making the necessary change in the
Vi senator Douglas, lest the act might
misconstrued. If we are not mistaken.
aaI T's man one Senator who ultimately voted to
80 another IN Mr.. Douglass stead expressed
,DaI-. tuisineiination. However, the motion to
10 Ian one change prevailed by vote of about
n On voting next to select-a chairman,
pougias received but one vote. 1t is I'M
ueTstood, further, that even that Senator will
-S'ain the action Of the caucus which we hail
= evidence that the Democracy of the Senate
NJ nuuer no circumstances temporize upon
vi. Douglass new squatter soyereiontv doc.
IT,: II continued as the chairman of the
.o Iii'ories Committee, and acting as the repre-.
p'@ane OF his own sentiments and those of the
pu"lican party, rather than of the Democra-
-, a. last winter on other vital Slavery cues
60 60 ne can do far more harm to the Demo
G. party than as a simple member of the
committee 1t was but the duty of the Demo
hue aue majority of the body to guard at any
to- thu Of newspaper misrepresentation, against
,Se. results of any such contingency: and
ed ed a0'y has been fairly and firmly discharg-
mo- SS.-Perceiving despatch in the Balti.
E lIU.e Sun of this morning, naming Senator
sn sumter as among those who lin the caucus)
6 ouAIed the propriety of continuing Senator
~ ouglas at the head of the Territories Commit.
Un NM, We nave to say that that inference is wholly
I INV by the position he is well known to
80 90 taken IN the discussion. Thus. he is mn.
,Sa to have avowed his emphatic belief O,
I1e necessity for having the sentiments of the
ol. majority of the Senate on Slavery
Saesuons faithfully represented in those of the
sn hartman OF the Territories Committee: at the
c came Tune expressing sincere regret that, to ac
- -pi l that object, it had become necessary
Da make the change in the absence of Senate,
nSuglas iesnd also on account of the possible
Injurious political effect of newspaper misrepre
"'A'ions OF the proposed action Of the caucus