Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-01-19
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

the WOrlu now comprehend tne ia"t '""'
effort to get up a sensation in Washington-
though two thousand dollars were said to nave
been subscribed to that end-on the return Vi
Senator Douglas to this point, was toe most
ridiculous and lamentable failure known 10
the history of American humbuggery, from the
times of its great inventor-Bsrnum-to those
of that distinguished chariatan's so distin-
puisbed superior in what was his own peculiar
line. Though this fact was made patent -
hundreds of pens in as many newspapers, that
told the naked truth Of the matter the puff
writers ofSenatOr Douglas, nothing daunted by
the universally Of this public knowledge Of the
fact, persisted in representing him as having
been received in the Federal Metropolis as a
sort of Caesar, fresh from the conquest Of all
the civilized world. Those at distance will
never realize the exquisite fun to which such
publications on the part of Senator Douglass
newspaper men gave rise at this point, as en-
bracing not only the height of the mendacity
of newspaper putting, but Of unadulterated
''cheek" in electioneering for popular favor
abroad, on the ground that not only the people
at large but the public men here assembled
had literally fallen down and worshippod the
golden calf.
That the game Of the tribe whose pens Sena-
tor Douglas keeps so busy in this kind Of work
is still progressing, or that some one is satiriz-
ing the tribe with keenest irony, will be appa-
rent to all who read the following highfalutin
description of the imaginary reception of Sena-
tor Douglas in the new Senate Chamber, which
We take from the Washington correspondence
of the st. Louis RepHbiiean.
What really did transpire when the Senator
first ventured to show his illustrious nose in
that hall-the Illinois Senatorial election, and
as a consequence, all danger that by being
put through a course Of personal explanation,
his words might interfere with his prospects
for reelection being ovor-is known to all in
Washington; who are also aware that with the
exception of the feeble effort to clap him, es-
sayed by half dozen regular ciaquers posted
in different parts of the galleries to that end,
his entrance created no greater demonstration
than that which is common to the return of
each and every Senator to the chamber who
has been absent week or two.
Half dozen Senators shook hands with him
just as they would have shaken hands with Mr..
Hale, or Mr.. D0olittle, or Mr.. Wade, or with
the Doorkeepers or the Sergeant-at- Arms, or
with the Messenger, or anybody else whose face
in and around the Hall is as familiar as house
hold words, on similar occasion. Perhaps
three-fourths of the Senators did not perceive
his presence, until bis posted claguerS called
their attention to the fact that something ex-
traOrdinary was designed to be made to seem
to have occurred in the Chamber. Such is the
literal truth concerning the late "grand recep-
ton OF Senator Douglas on his re-entrance in
the Senate hall. What his newspaper claqusrs
represent it abroad as having been, may be
gathered from the letter referred to above, from
which we quote, as follows:
But the hour for business drew near and the
grave Senators again scattered to their seats
General Jones, OF Iowa, now entered the Cham
Der, but appeared restless as II looking for some
thing or somebody. Slidell, too, entered on the
opposite, and cast furtive glance around to see
t1ho were present A new face was evidently
anticipated. Collamer and Benjamin now en-.
tered, and taking opposite directions across the
Chamber, were soon seated. The journal had
been read and the current business commenced
Senators looked at each other and then towards
the main entrance; when, Just at that moment
Senator Douglas, of Illinois, entered with a
graceful, easy tread, as IL he were entering hi,
own private parlor. The galleries resounded
with clapping and applause, and the Little GI-
ant was soon surrounded with Senator's shaking
hands and Offering congratulations Green trsf
aPPF"ac he'd, followed in order by Brown Stuart
Hunter, foote, Mallory, Shields PugL Davis
OF Mississippi, and many others Ii was proud
moment Tor the Senator, and gracefully did he
receive the ovation. Congratulations owe he
Was seated by Senators Hunter and Stuart and
soon engaged in earnest conversation General
Jones, In the meantime, was busily engaged In
arranging the papers OIL his desk, and exhibitinu
the greatest ind ference to the scene transpirnS
near him He soon rose to offer a resolution and
some persons thought his voice trembled ST! CHIT
iy- Slideil declined being a spectator, and I.
tired from the Senate Chamber, and had not -.
turned at the closing of this letter
such was the return OF Stephen Douglas
10 the United states Senate after one OF the most
remarkable campaigns known to political his
tory his colleague, Judge TrumbulI remained
stated at MS desk, with his eyes bent upon some
lo"se manuscripts before him, apparently igno-
rant OF the arrival Of Douglas or the annIan..
IN the galleries. The latter d gross violation
OF The decorum OF the Senate, yet IL seemed so
opTOPOS and not altogether une = pec,sd iii no
one arose to Tebuke IL ~
This eloquent description of an imaginary
scene is incomplete in a few particulars, which
1t is ours to supply Thus, the writer should
have added that the entrance of the distin.
guished political hero was ACCOMPANIED by
bursts Of most extraordinary natural thunder
and flashes of lightning, playing, like halo
OF glory around his illustrious head. That,
habited like Fanny Essler for her appearance
In her most fascinating pas Senk, in flesh
coioEed stockinetts: satin slippers, petticoats
cut OH at the knees and stretched out to the
most enormous dimensions by the aid of crino-
line, with gossamer wings on shoulders, famed
to and fro by the blasts of wind accom- panying
the aforesaid thunder and lightning, lin mid
winter0 and with luxuriant hair, curled in
the most elaborate Partisan fashion, the Sem
ator from Illinois entered the chamber, execu
ting for every foot Of his passage down the
main aisle, most captivating ptrouettc, the
grace and statesmanlike dignity of which was
acknowledged by continued shouts of brayas
from the lusty threats of his admiring fellow
Senators. Without this addition, the eloquent
sketch OF has claqueT in the st. Louis RepubA-
'Gm, is positively incomplete.
Now, about the real truth Dating the play
OF the artists imagination about the dog
winch Is entirely out of place in any such con-
nection) concerning his Remittance into the
Senate chamber. NAV ha no ,horoa g..