Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-02-17

PoLGTlCAL.- The caucus of Democratic
Senators at Washington, on Saturday, to fix
up platform on slavery, occupied SIX hours
One correspondent says that Mr.. Douglas was
for the Cincinnati platform. pure and simple,
and regarding the Territorial question as be-
longing to tine Judiciary. According to ano-
tier correspondent, he said he would support
the Charleston nomination, whoever might be
the nominee, or whatever might be the plat
form adopted. Jefferson Davis contendcd that
the Democracy should take a decided position
before the country, and the ;, nth was entitled
to his demand. Messrs. Gwin, Lane, Fitch
and Bright concuued with him The Com
mlttee OF five Senators. who are TO report res
oiutlons will be appointed by Mr. Bright,
chairman Of the caucus, and headed by Mr..
Green of Missouri-so that popular scve-
reignty does not stand much chance of being
commended. The whole affair is looked up
on as an attempt to settle the Charleston plat
form in advance
The New York Heraids Washington cor
respondent says that there are large number
of leading Douglas men there from various
parts of the country, comforting together in
regard to the best means to be adopted to
bring Douglass name properly before the
Charleston Convention, with a view of secur-
ing his nomination. His friends intend to
arrange their plans so skillfully and system
aically, and to bring such pressure from the
Northwest that the Convention cannot resist
them.
~ A Washington letter-writer. who de-
scribes Mr.. Sicklcs' dress and appearance, al
ludes to Lis constant habit of wearing gloves
in public, and says that supersttious rumor
attributes this circumstance to his fancy that
his hands exhibit deep stains of blood lie
boards with private family, and Mrs. Sickles
is with him.
Io Mr.. Greeley, who has spent some time
on a lecturing tour in the Northwestern
States, in a letter from Iowa predicts that
stephen A. Douglas will be nominated for
President at Charleston next April, and that
most of the slave States will give him their
electoral votes, for the reason that National
Conventions always nominate those who APP
pear to have the best chance of winning
that Mr.. Douglass defeat at Charleston
would drive the entire Northwest into the
Republican party; that he has consistently
supported the principle of free homestoads
and that his enemies are split up.
WHrcH Horn AT an anti-slavory meet.
ing in Boston, last week, Wendell Phillips
made a speech in which he said The South
stand in an awkward position They have
said that if We elect William H. Seward to
the Presidency, it will leave the Union. Il
we elect him and it don't leave, the gas is out
of the balloon. If we elect him and it does
leave, the devil has gone out Of Paradise"
Personal RENcoNTRE AT WAsHINGroN
| A personal difficulty occurred after the ad.
/ iournment of the House, at Washington. on
/ Friday. As Mr. Hickman was returning
homo through the Capitol grounds, he was
/ oyertaken by Mr. Edmundson of Va, who up.
| on approaching him, called out and drew nj,
hand to strike. Mr. Clingman, who was nc.
cidentally passing hastened up and seized his
arm when Mr.. Edmundson struck at Hick-
man with his left hand, knocking off his hat.
but doing him no injury Tho whole affair
was instantaneous, and seemed to surprise Mr.
Hickman. Mr.. Breckenridge, who came up
took him away, and the scene ended The
alleged provocation for this attack was an in.
sulting reflection upon Virginia contained in
recent speech of Mr. Hickman's. in which
he charged that seventeen men and COW had
frightened the State.
~ Gov. Wise of Virginia, during the last
two years of his term in office, pardoned one
hundred and sixteen convicts, committed the
punishment of twelve, and reprieyed four
! Others. Political brethren, no doubt.