Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-11-30
Letter from Washington.

tue House-Douglas and his petent'ons-
 Breckemide-Lane, etc., etc.
 As the session of Congress approaches, Washington begins to assume its wonted hustle, and on account of the character ot the contest for the presidency in 1860, the scenes enacted during the next session will be looked to with much interest throughout the country. Thus it will be, that the grea- ter portion of the session will be taken up with special reference to the presidential question, that many things enacted will have their influence in the canvass.
 The organization of the House, owing to the state of parties may be delayed as 1t was in 1855. The democrats are in the minority, while the black republicans and southern opposition have the majority, and should they coalesce they can organize the House at once. Whether they will or not remains to be seen. Before the said Brown and his associates at Harper's Ferry, south ern opposition journals recommended a union with the black republicans to elect the officers of the House-their cry then being vote for the blackest of black repub- licans for speaker, rather than democrat, but since that event, those same journals have expressed somewhat different views It is conceded the black republicans will support Sherman, of Ohio, for the speak ership, and John w. Forney, formerly democrat, but now a rampant Douglasite) for clerk It is not known what course the southern opposition will play, but it is thought they will be in the market to do the best they can, in the matter of obtain ing the spells.
 It has really been amusing to see the efforts that have been, and are now being made by the Douglasites, to give prestige to their '' struggling candidate for the presidency" They have insisted on it, that every northern State will send dele gates to Charleston favorable to his nomi- nation, but, not satisfied with this declara- tion, that is patent is erroneous, they claim nearly all the southern States for him. This might do very well for them to keep up their courage, as some such whistling was necessary for that purpose, but Doug lass weakness is so evident, that many of his friends are beginning to admit there is no chance for him. To give you an in stance of their braggadocio, l may simply mention that they have asserted that Ar kansas is for him almost unanim ousl y.- This 1t is true, Is in accordance with their brag game, that have mentioned before, but they are looking at the south especially for a few managing politicians to control the actions of democratic State conven- tions, against the sentiments of the masses
 In this view of the subject 1t would be well for the people to be placed on their guard, and prevent such deplorable consequences; but l apprehend Douglas is nothing in the race, as the southern people are not willing in the present aspect of affairs, to vote for any other than straight out national man, whose opinions and acts on the slavery question:, have always been in strict accord ance with their rights. The detection of Nr. Douglas on the admission of Kansas Is too recent, and the extent to which he carried that defection too fragrant, 10 be so easily forgotten and forgiveness is well known on that occasion, he not only sepa- rated from his party in Congress, but eau cassed with such black republicans as Sew ard, Hale, Giddings, Wilson and Grow to defeat the party-not only to defeat the de- mocratic party-but the permanent and just settlement of vexed question which had threatened the existence of the Union, and which continues to do so, chiefly owing to the course of Mr. Douglas on the occa- sion referred to. If the south then cannot. and does not see proper, to advocate the nomination of one so unsound on a ques- tlon of paramount importance to her, and who by going into the ranks of his enemy with his cohorts, at a critical time for her interests, has rendered himself exceedingly obnoxious to her, he certainly stands no chance of the nomination. If he has no chance of carrying the south in the Charles ton convention, or at least large portion of 1t, there is no sense to talk further about his nomination, for without southern aid, if he succeeded in obtaining the nomination 1t would be through the united vote of the north It is fact that cannot be denied that he cannot carry the whole north in the Charleston convention by great deal. but for the sake of the argument, grant, that he can, would it not be preposterous, for Mas sachusetts, Vermont, and other northern States, that can in no event cast an electo- ral vote for the democratic candidate. to presume to dictate to the southern demo- cratic States candidate. The idea is su premely ridiculous-but perhaps not any more so than for southern men to press his nomination, the folly of which has become apparent-not only have large numbers of democrats avowed their determination not to vote for him, even if nominated but many northern democrats have expressed the same determination. In the present state of parties the folly of asking the no- imitation of a candidate at Charleston. who cannot carry his party as unit, is an. parent; but at this time, Douglas chances for the presidency, through democratic nomination, have nothing of the reality about them, and I shall leave him and mass on to others, whose prospects are not found alone in the braggadocio and bluster of 2 few hangers.on, but in the minds of the people.
 Among the prominent candidates are Gen. Lane and Vice President Brecken. ridge, either of whom would make a stronp race. It IS understood, however, that neither