The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-08-25
WASHINGTON ITEMS.

SENATOR DoUGLAs.-We understand that, in
private conversation, Senator Douglas gives
utterance to sentiments still more heretical, if
than he has yet thought proper to make public.
In the presence of Democrats and Republicans,
few evenings since, he ridiculed the idea that
the Constitution carries Slavery into the Terri
tories, or that the bred Scott case has so de-
cided; or, if it had so decided, that it would
amount to anything. We understand, Also that
he denies the right of shareholders to carry
their slaves into the unorganized Territories
that they would in such case be trespassers.
This position, by the way, would seem to spoil
his theory of popular sovereignty. That is a
strange sort of sovereignty which depends en-
tirely upon the will of Congress. He insists
that it requires special enactR,ent of the Ter
ritorial Legislature to establish Slavery.
M. Douglas thinks that not less than fifteen
thousand slares haze been imported into the
Union aonhin toelce months. He saw more
than three hundred fsewlyimported slapes IN
Vicksburg, during his recent Southern tour,
and as many at Memphis. If is said 10 haze
spoken ioarmly against the tresle. We derive
these statements from persons 81 responsibility,
and if they are true, we shall be happy to
recognise the fact, and to adm t that we have
in another paragraph criticised Mr.. Douglas
last letter with undue severity.
Mr.. Iverson, of Georgia, whNis in the city,
and was present at the conversation above re-
ferred to, expressed himself as not ready to en-
dorse Mr.. Stephens's plan of reopening the
slave trade. He thought it dangerous ground
to take; but whether the DANCE, impends over
the South or the Democratic party, We are un-
able to say.
PUBLIC ADvERTIsuNG.-The G,t jobs of pub
lie advertising which have heretofore been
given to the Star and L'tellige4cer as the dali
lies having the largest permanent circulation,
have recently been given to the Star and States,
the Lltelligencer being cut off. The Constitu-
tion, as usual, will continue to receive the same
Jobs as a special favor. We hsar ugly stories
about the manner in which these printing
Jobs are disposed of. Perhaps committee
of investigation would throw some light upon
the subject.
ANOTHER DUEL.-Mr o. Jennings Wise has
had a duel with Mr.. Old, of the Richmond Er-
ap,iner, during the past week. This, we be-
lieve is the third "affair of honor which Mr..
Wise has had during the present year. The
parties fought near Mr.. Blair's, in Montgomery
county, Md. Two shots were exchanged, but
no blood was shed.
A Mr.. French, the pay clerk in the Treasury
Department, has been arrested on charge of
forging vouchers.
Judge Hogan, of the State Department, has
been appointed translator in place of Professor
Dimitry, appointed Minister to Nicaragua. Mr..
Jefferson, of the same Department, has been
promoted to q third class clerkship.
Hon. Sherrard Clemens, member of Congress
from Virginia, recently submitted to painful
surgical operation at Easton, Pa. The opera
ton consisted in the removal of a portion of
detached bone in his thigh, which had been a
source of much irritation to his limb ever since
his duel with Mr.. Wise, at which time the in
jury causing the wound was done. After re-
moving the bone, portion of the ball was
found embedded in it,