Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-01-29
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
Political Parties = Ta,if-Pubtc E.r-
penditves - Senators Douglas and
Fitch Pacific Railroad, DC.


Political Parties Taff-Puutc Er-
penditwes - Senators Douglas and
Fitch Pacific Railroad, dc.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 1859.
Mr.. EDIToR: Recent developments
clearly indicate the utter impossibility of
fusion of the homogeneous elements
which compose the opposition to the De-
mocratic party. The Republicans are
determined to make a distinct issue be-
tween freedom and slavery, and intend
to sink or swim with the single idea Of
hostility to slavery, in both State and
Territory; they will permit no minor
issue to enter into the contest, and have
therefore sternly declined to coalesce
with the Southern Know-nothings. In
this they show considerable tact, mas
much as any strength they might gain
by such combination, whilst it would
be of little practical benefit to them in
the South, would effectually drive from
them the great mass of the foreign vote,
which they now claim in the North and
West; in other words, they are perfectly
willing to lose Maryland, rather than, by
compromising their principle, leopard
their hope of success in Pennsylvania,
Illinois or Indiana. The result will be
either separate candidate of the Know
nothings, or their absorption by the other
two great parties. In every aspect,
therefore, in which the case can be view
ed, the success of the Democratic candi-
date in 1860 is placed beyond doubt.
If they hope for division in the ranks
of the Democracy by the DETECTION of
Douglas, they will be sadly disappointed
as usual for Douglas has openly de-
clared his intention to support the nomi-
nees of the Charleston Convention, who
ever they may be.
! 1t is thought that the Committee on
Ways and Means will introduce bill
supplementary of the Tariff Act of 1856,
recommending slight increase of duty
on certain. articles, and changing the
mode of assessing the duties from the
advalorem to the specific principle, which
will SO far increase the revenue as to
meet the ordinary expenses of the Gov
eminent. This will receive support from
all sides, as it involves no surrender oil
! principle from any quarter.
A strong disposition exists in Congress
to curtail the expenditures of the Gov
eminent as much as possible: to this
end select committee has been raised
in the Senate, which will devote its Sc.
rious attention to the subject, and it is
thought they will find wide field fol
the profitable employment of the pruning
knife.
The fare-up between Senators Douglas
and Fitch, which occurred in executive
session, is the subject of considerable
comment. The case is as follows Mr.
/ Douglas took occasion to animadvert yer,
severely on the Administration in regard
to the official appointments in Illinois
and characterized them, generally, as
set of dishonest men, &c. Among thest
officials is a son of Senator Fitch. TIT
Senator feeling aggrieved at this whole
sale denunciation, which included hi!
son, retorted upon Mr.. Douglas in til,
most severe and unmeasured terms; up
on which Mr.. Douglas wrote Mr. Fitcl
a note, calling upon him to withdraw
the offensive language, accompanying i
however, with declaration, that he die
not intend to include Mr. Fitch's sol
among the Illinois officials upon whom
he had commented. With this preceden
explanation of Mr.. Douglas, Mr.. Fitch
is willing and does withdraw the Ian
guage he had employed against Mr.. d
The latter gentleman accepts this with
drawal of Mr.. f., but at the same tint
protests against the grounds assumed il
explanation of such withdrawal. Mr.
f. in reply leaves it to Mr.. d. either t.
accept the explanation as satisfactory, or
if not, that he (NIr. i would Withdraw
it altogether; and so Mr.. d. though
best not to persist in following up hi
demand, and there the matter ends.
The great project of a Pacific Rail
road will not find friends enough to pas.
it through Congress at this session; SO i
will have to bide its time. / hope out
4 Railroad friends in Montgomery will no
let this fact dampen their ardor in til,
least, and that their commendablc excr
tons to construct the Metropolitan
will yet be crowned with success. p.