New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-08-23
FROM WASHINGTON
DOUGLAS SURE OF THE SOUTH.

Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 1889
A person who has visited this, the metropolis
of the Union, only during the Session of Congress,
will readily perceive the great change in its appear
ance in visiting here at this season of the year
True, there are the same spacious ride walks, and
wide dusty streets but the passers by are few and
far between. Pennsy lvania avenue no longer pre-
sents the lively appearance it generally wears on
pleasant afternoon during the Session Of Congress-
and the magnificent and attractive Capitol is
utterly deserted. Even about the hotels which
are usually the great resort Of loterers, few are
now to be seen.
Take it all in ALL Washing ton is very duh place
during the Summer months The few politicians
who still hang about here are unmstakabe evidence
of overtasked brains in efforts to figure out who
are to be, or who are not to be, the nominees of
the Republican ard Charleston Conventions The
two principal head quarters of the politicians are
the rooms of the Republican Association, and the
residence of Senator Douglas A few days since
accompanied friend TO the former of these head.
quarters, and WAS somewhat surprised to find
Republicans 90 wide awake In this Pro Slavery city.
Here found q spacious hail. and ranged along on
the publications of this Association-a large table
with newspapers from oil parts Of the country, and
some elk or eight clerks busily engaged in packing
and directing dOcuments-mOst of which | noticed
were directed to Minnesota.
On any evening may be found at the residence of
Senator Douglas Democrats Of all sbades, as well
as every class of fence men On Friday evening
last quite large gathering there Of politicians
of all stripes by special invitation. Prominent
amor the guests were Senator lversOn of Georgia,
Mr.. Browne, editor of The Constitution (the Go
vernment OrgaD), Mr.. COOmbs, editor Of The Re-
public, and many other leading Southern and
MOI thern party meD. There wss much private aud
confidential conversation between Mr.. Douglas and
the representatives of the different factions there
assembled.
Mr. Douglas appeared to take all by surprise by
the strong and decided opinions he expressed in the
conversation. He said that the whole Slavery
question was momentous one, and must be fought
and fought now TO the end-and the question
whether himself or any other man WAS ~ be n0mi'
mated for OF elected to the Presidency sank into
iIsenifcance in comparison with the great issue.
He was very vehement in his denunclatOns, aud
roiculed the idea entertained by msDy of his
Democratic friends, hat by the decision in the
bred Scott ease Slavery existed IN or went into the
Territories conterdiDg that no such decision had
been made; or if made, could have no binding
ioree; that such an ices was ridiculous in the ex
IRENE; be wondered that any were found so foolish
IS ~ harbOr ouch thought. He cOntended that
Slavery could not go into the Territories except by
special local enactment after Territorial Govern
eht had been duly formed, and that Slavery did
cot and could not exist in the Territories until them
that oil persons who go into Territory before an
act has been passed for the establishment of Ter
rtoIial Government, are interlOpers and tres
passer and have none Of the rights of "citizens of
1.-THE several States " and can claim no protection
nor obtain redress for grievances of the general Gov
eminent; and hence they can have no legal protec-
ton or claim for any slaves they may take with
them.
With such views as these, Mr.. Douglas might
be considered proper candidate for the Repub-
lican nomination. Bot is be sincere, and can he be
trusted think not, and before close this letter
will show that this is the game of shrewd and
unpriDcpled politician.
In regard to the sl.ye-trade, Mr.. Douglas stated
that there was not the shadow OF doubt but that it
had been carried on quite extensively for a long
time back and that there had been more slaves i'm
ported into the Southern States during the last year
than had ever been imported before in any one
year. even when the slave-trsde was legal. 1t was
bis confident beliefth over 15 900 slaves had been
brought into this country during the past year.
He had seen, with his own eyes, 300 Of those re-
Gently -iDpor ed, miserable beings, 10 slave pen 10
Vicksburgb, Miss., and also large numbers at Mem.
phis, Tenn.
This is no imaginary sketch, but the expressions
of Mr.. Douglas as epunciated in conversation on
Friday evening at his residence and cannot be con-
troverted BY himself or friends.
Senator Iverson, on the same occasion, stated
that he could not indorse the views put forth by
Mr.. Stephens Of his State in favor Of the reopen
ing of the slave-trade. He thought it DANGEROUS
70 stand upon such platform. aud yet, It was