Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-04-25
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WAsHINeroN CrTy Anr;l d, 1s6l


several days past "off for Charleston" but the
feverish excitement produced by their stay among
US continues undated. / have rarely witnessed
such exciting scenes have transpred in this city
during the last six days among politicians wre-pul
lers, and pipe-layers-the outSide-delegates who
generally assume to coax, wheedle or orow-beat
oona-hde delegates into the support Of their favorite
presidential aSprantS. 1t was really amusing to
witness the bewidered 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 one of these perse-
cuted delegates emphatically that their feet
should never again touch Washington city soil when
en- route for a National Convention They were I'M
accustomed to such assduous persistent attentions
and did not at all relish the easy assurance of stran
gers who sought to indicate their action in the con-
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 fntest 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 l was
forced against my inclination to believe that he was
more available than DOuglas-the whole was figured
out plainly and satisfactorily, and wanted to be
an Original supporter" ! resolved to cast my
vote for the Vrgnian. After this the Breckenridge
party showed me concuSively that neither Douglas
or Hunter had any chance either Of nomination
or election if nominated. Their reasoning and evil
dence was beyond cavil, and felt | was bound to
go for Brock. thought was now all right hut
a Lane deputation called on me and proceeded to
show that had been made dupe of designing men
who kneU their statements were false and were made
to mslead me in order to carry out their selfish pur
poses. A long conversation ensued, in which Mexi-
can war, blood-stained fields, carnage, flying shot,
roar OF musketry, groanS of the dying, DC, &c.
were glowin:y portrayed until my military ardor
aroused; and then remembering that Gen. Taylor
Il, Ill,
jOritieS determined to vote for old Joe. "All right
on the goose" now, thought and parting with
my Lane friends proceeded in peaceful, Quoted
state of mind to take "a night cap" when | was
simultaneously seized by two rival parties, one for
Guthrie and the other for Dickinson. The scene
that ensued scarcely recOllcct, the suddenneSs
of the shock created halEsuSpensiOn of my acul-
ties, and rendered me almost wholly unconscious. |
remember cropping to my room, and lying down
dcavored to recall all that had TRANSFERRED but IN
vain. | was impressed that Hunter had advocated
popular sovereignty, and the South were opposed to
him and in favor of Douglas who was fre-eating
save-code man; that Breckenridge was PreSbyte-
ran minister and unsuited for the Presidency; that
Lane had been killed either in Mexico or Kansas;
that Guthrie was 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 diSo-dered ntellectS felt certain of but
thing, and that was that the d might eat me
alive if ever a second time sought accepted the
doubtful honor of a seat in National Convention"
Perhaps conjecture as to the result of the DELHI
erations of the Charleston Convention, may have
but little interest for the public, when
so solution of the question. Yet it may not
he inappropriate to state the opinion generally
tertained here by the knowing ones They say"
that the contest will at once be between Douglas
and Hunter and that a feeling of bitterness may
be engendered which will result in the withdrawal
this event. Guthrie, of Ky, will be presented; but
he has not the ghost of chance. If, the pre-
Sentation Of his name, there 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 probab-
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 so many conflicting statements
are made, but | incline to the opinion that if
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 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 IntelligeRcer with Union letter.
headed 1.-The Evil of the Day." 1t is designed, |
presume as 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
fortunate thing that Mr.. Gilmcr 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
unceasing effort earnest convictions and fearless
Drawing of local preiudiceS Democracy demands
too many sacrifices of its friends the road is too
fnty and rugged for these ease-oving party build-
| ers, who now daube over their wine and humble
praises of the ''good old Wing times" and work
harder to make party than they did to carry
one triumphantly through a canvass.
| / am delighted with the modesty of Mr. e., as
displayed in this eloquent letter. He says, ave
have time to be inquiring into democratic wing,
| republican or American fancies." What pity this
conviction was so slow of birth. Had it come
! lier we might 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
own friends and delude If possible gullible demo-
Gratis into this new political church. Won't do Mr..
| Gimer; it is turkey" all the time with you and
"buzzard" all the time with us.
| Last evening, in company with aoout dozen
| North Carolnans, I 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 1t well filled
with members of 1.-THE Association" Mr.. Vance
soon arrived, and being introduced led off in fine
style. Twas very much struck by a remark of the
gentleman, that he learned his alphabet from the
head lines of that conservative sheet, the National
InteIigencer. / was profoundly astonshed, and
the reflection that if he did, his alphabet very
imperfectly learned and his nantile education sad
ly neglected grieved me much. But seriously the
speech, aside from its Whiggery, a capital one.
The old wing leaven could rise though, and the in
born hate of democracy would exhibit itself If
rightly understood Mr.. v, he does not dream Of