Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-02-10
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP


TIE Caucus LAST NrGHr The Democratic
caucus called for yesterday evening assembled
in the Hall of Representatives at the appointed
hour. Geo W. Jones in the Chair, and MeSrs- |
G. Ii. Pendleton and A. G Jenkins Secretanes
Resolutions were offered by MIR. Phelps, OF
Mo.-frst, to reissue Treasury notes; second,
for speedy action on the appropriation bills;
third, to retrench the expenses of the Govern
| ment.
Mr. Crawford, Of Ca, offered substitutes,
the principal one of which was that it was in
expedient to disturb the tariff of 1857. The
remainder were similar to those of Mr., Phelps.
Mr.. kunkel, of Md, offered a substitute for
| all. He wished to know whore the work of re-
tfenehment was to begin, and if in the right
place, he would give his aid.
Mr.. Riley and Mr.. Dewart, Of Pa, wished to
know whether the caucus was obligatory on
any one. They had understood that the tariff
was not to be discussed.
Some feeling was betrayed, but it soon sub
sided however.
| 1t was understood that the proceedings were
to be obligatory on none.
/ Mr.. Stephens, of Ga, spoke in conciliatory
spirit of the necessity of cooperation.
Mr.. John Cochrane, of New York, remarked
upon the importance of unanimity at the pres
emit conjuncture to the very existence of the
Democratic party, and advised concessions by
each extreme which would not involve any
party principle.
Mr.. Sickles, Of New York, sent to the Secre-
tary's desk a resolution for the appointment of
a committee of conference with the Democrats
Of the Senate and spoke to it.
Messrs. Scott, of CAL, Smith, Of Va, Bowie
of Md, McRae and Singleton, of Miss, Clay,
ofKy., JONES' of Penn, Stewart, of Md, White
ly, of Del, and Seward, of Ga, all spoke to
the resolutions, some of them reading resolu-
tions which they had drawn up, when the pre-,
vious question was ordered by vote of IS to "a
Mr.. Kunkers substitute was rejected.
Mr.. Crawford, by consent, withdrew the last
two resolutions of his substitute; when the vote
was taken on the one declaring interference
with the present tariff inexpedient, (Messrs.
Cochrane and Craig acting as tellers;) and it
was lost-31 noes to q ayes.
Mr.. Phelps's resolutions were then adopted;
and the caucus adjourned after being in session
not quite two hours. 1t was orderly and quiet:
there were about seventy-ive members present
The PLANS OF THE OPPosIrros. Re-
publican party in both houses of Congress, are
just now very industrious!y engaged in making
a Presidential candidate to be supported by
their organization in 1860. Some time since
we mentioned the evident determination of the
friends of Mr.. Seward that he shall be that
man, and have subsequently seen nothing to
induce the impression either that they have
relaxed from that purpose, or that they will
not prove strong enough in their sectional con-
vention to carry it out. We find the New York
Journal Of Commerce entertaining similar
opinions Thus, in a recent article explaining
how the Republican managers cOntrive to bag
the game brought down" by the ultra Adolf
tionists) that journal says:
In this connection we may appropriately
| refer TO the statement of the Philadel pha In
quireF, through its Washington correspondent,
that large editions Of Stewards Rochester speech
| are being printed, and sent broadcast over the
| country; upon which the Tribune of this city
pertinently asks: IF it made merely Ia
/ head Gerritt Smith, and elect Mr.. Morgan in
New York, why issue il in such numbers from
| w dshlngton ~ The answer to this il, that ii
was not made 'merely to raise Gerritt Smith,
but primarily and mainly to raise Presidential
r issue, which should place Mr. Seward in at
titude to receive the support, a the nominate NJ
Convention, OF the anti-slavery sentiment in the
| opposition, and preclude the possibility of hi,
being beaten in the Convention by Crittenden
Fillmore, Bell, or any other of the IN national
aspirants for Presidential honors. II was made
AZ the time selected, 10 operate upon the New
ork election, SO as TO concentrate the GerFit
, smith and the entire anti-slavery vote upOr
Morgan, and thus place the Seward party II
= power in this State, as means Of getting con
| troll Of National Convention. The card worked
, well, and Seward now has every prospect Of
triumph over all competition for the opposition
| nomination.
Though the friends of Mr.. Seward will doubt
less triumph in the end, their victory over thei
u cOnfreres will not be very easy one; for not
e few Of the latter are bitten with the notion tina
e. moro negative gentleman will prove NOR
acceptable than Mr.. S. to northern conserva
Z lives. though also standing on the naked plat
:. form on the Rochester speech. Earlier in tn
session, there were advocates Of the nomination
Of Governor Chase and others, for Fremon
among them. But already those two aspirant
are hOrS dm combat here, and third has rise
up more formidable still to Mr.. s.; we mea
n Senator Fessenden. However, as that gentle
h mans votes and speeches on the SLAYER
Is question are in all respects in keeping wit
!. those Of the New York Senator, while he lack
;. much Of the latters force of character as
n politician, and besides is simply the candidat
Of the odds and ends CT Republican party
3 ism, their plea in his behalf is, that notwitt
$ standing the fact that his ultraism is quite q
g intense as that of Mr.. Seward he will comman
= the votes Of the Crittenden and Bell men of th
North. They are childish in Judging that tn
u opposition of the conservatives of the Mort
who may be opposed to the Democratic party
% is directed against Senator Seward, rather tia
e the political principles he holds in commo
y with Senator Fessenden.
ct Our belief is, that, ere they nominate, the
will clearly perceive that while Senator Sewal
- will command the votes of every man WI
# holds to the doctrines of their party, the nom
ar nation of any other person on their Rochest
e platform will fail to secure them a single add