Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-04-25
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WAsH1NcroN Cry. April 90. 1860,

g.
lcrs and pipelayers-the outside-delegates who !
generally assume to coax, wheedle or orow-beat
bonade delegates into the support of their fayorte
presidential aspirants. 1t was really amusing to
witness the bewildered looks Of some Of the plain
farmers from the west as they were successfully
button-holed and manipulated by the managing men
of rival candidates More than ono of these perse-
cuted delegates swore emphatically, that their feet
should never again touch Washington city soil when
en- route for National Convention. They were I'M
accustomed to such asstuous, persistent attentions
and did not at all relish the easy assurance Of stran
gers who sought to indicate their action in the
vention. A delegate from Northern State assured
me that his mind was made up as to whom he would
give his vote in the convention when he reached
this city, but that now he had not the intest idea
what his action would be. "Why, said he, 1.-THE
Douglas men took me and made it plain that if the
Giant was nominated he would sweep the country.
The Hunter men next took me in hand, and was
forced against my inclination to believe that he was
more available than Douglas-the whole was figured
out plainly and satisfactorily, and as wanted to be
"original supporter" l resolved to cast my
vote for the Virginian. After this the Breckenridge
party showed me conclusvely that neither Douglas
or Hunter had any chance either Of a nomination
or election if nominated Their reasoning and evil
dence was beyond cavil and felt was bound to
90 for Brock. l thought was now all right; hut
Lane deputation called on Inc and proceeded to
show that. had been made dupe of designing men
who knew their statements were false, and were made
to mslead in order to carry out their selfish pur
poses. A long conversation ensued, in which Next
can war, blood-staincd fields, carnage, flying shot,
roar of musketry, groans of the dying, NC, &c,
were glowngly portrayed untif my military ardor
was aroused; and then remembering that Gen. Taylor
and Gen. Pierce were elected by overwhelming ma
jories determined to vote for old Joe. All right
on the goose" now, thought, and parting with
my Lane friends proceeded in peaceful, qnieted
state Of mind to take "a night cap" when was
simultaneously seized by two rival parties, for
Guthrie and the other for Dickinson. The scene
that ensued scarcely recollect, the suddenncss
Of the shock created halfsuspension of my facul-
ties, and rendered me almost wholly unconscious.
remember cropping to my room, and lying down en-
deavored to recall all that had transpired, but in
vain. I was impressed that Hunter had advotat
popular sovereignty, and the South were opposed to
him and in favor of Douglas who was fire-eatng
slave-code man; that Breckenridge was Presbyte-
rian minister, and unsuted for the Presidency that
Lane had been killed either in Mexico or Kansas
that Guthrie already Secretary of the Treasury
and ought to be satisfied, and that Dickinson could
only carry New Jersey and half of New York-not
quite enough to elect thought. In this delightful
state of disordered nteects felt certain of but
thing and that was that the d might eat me
alive if | ever a second time sought or accepted the
doubtful honor of a seat in National Convention
Perhaps conjecture, to the result of the DELHI
erations of the Charleston Convention, may have
but little interest for the public when we are
so near solution of the question. Yet it may not
be inappropriate to state the opinion generally
tcrtained here by the knowing ones. They say"
that the contest will at once be between Douglas
and Hunter, and that feeling of bitterness may
be engendercd which will result in the withdrawal
of Hunter after several ballots have been had In
this event, Guthrie of KY, will be presented; but
he has not the ghost of chance. If on the pre-
sentation Of his namc there seems to be favorable
showing for him, certain revelations will he made
by friends of Judge Douglas that will knock every
prop from under him and lay him quietly on the
shelf. Then Mr. Breckenridge WILL in all probabili-
ty be united upon by the entire South, backed up
by Pennsylvania and New Jersey, whose delegates
state confidently their belief that he carry both
States 1t is difficult to reach very satisfactory
conclusion, where many conflicting statements
are made but l incline to the opinion that if a
Northern man is selected, Judge Douglas will be
the fortunate individual; if Southern man. Vice
President Breckenridge will be the nominee. Of
course this is simply an opinion pedicated upon
statements Of delegates who may at any moment
entirely change front
Mine ancient friend of the fifth district appears
in the National InteUigencer with Union letter,
headed The Evil of the Day." 1t is designed, l
presume political lubrcator to deaden the harsh
| sounds of party strife-an earnest appeal to the
people not to battle for their rights because it makes
noise and requires vast deal of trouble both of
| which the gentleman very much dislikes. 1t is a
fortunate thing that Mr.. Gilncr and others of his
party were never drawn into the Democratic ranks.
They would have been out of place-mere dead
weights. They have never yet sustained healthy
party organization, because lacking the energy and
stamina necessary to wage contests which require
|
Drawing of local preudices Democracy demands
too many sacrifices of its friends the road is too
f'nty and rugged for these ease-oving partybuild-
ers who now dauble over their wine and humble
praises of the ''good old Wing times" and work
harder to make party than they ever did to carry
one triumphantly through a canvass.
am delighted with the modesty Of Mr.. G., as
displayed in this eloquent letter. He says, 1--WE
have no time to be inquiring into democratic, whig
republican or American fancies." What pity this
conviction was so slow of birth. Had it come ear
lier we might now have Democratic Speaker Of
the House instead of the incompetent, amiable old
gentleman placed there by the abolitionists, with
the aid of Mr.. Gilmer He has done the Demo
cratic party all the damage he could, and now with
the " Union party" platform in one hand, and 1.-THE
Evil of the Day" in the other, he seeks to rally his
Gratis into this new political church. Won't do, Mr.
Gilmer; it is turkey" all the time with you, and
"buzzard" all the time with us.
Last evening, in company with ABOUT dozer
North-Caronians, attended meeting Of this new
party to hear speech by Mr.. Vance. We entered
a suspicious looking room capable OF seating two
hundred persons, perhaps and found it well filled
with members of 1.-THE Association" Mr.. Vanc.
soon arrived and being introduced, led off in fnt
style. was very much struck by remark Of thu
gentleman, that he learned his alphabet from tn,
head lines of that conservative Sheet the Nationa
htelligencer. l was profoundly astonished ant
the reflection that if he did, his alphabet was yer,
imperfecty learned. and his infantle education sad
ly neglected grieved me much But seriously tn,
speech, aside from its Whiggery was capital one
The old wing leaven a'ouM rise though, and the in
born hate of democracy would exhibit ITSELF If
rightly understood Mr.. ", he does not dream o
electing his candidate for the Presidency but onl,
endorses the movement as tending to influence tn,
two great parties in their selections inducing them
as he said, to take conservative men," rathe