Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-06-07
Things at WASHINGTON
NATIONAL HOTEL, WASHINGTON, D. c.,
May Doth, 1860.


May Goth, 1860.
EDITOR FREEMAN You will observe by the
date of this that am now at the Nations Cap
ltal' Through the politeness of Mr. Walton,
our M. g., have been shown through the pub.
lie buildings of this city--the Smithsonian in
Stitutio II, Treasury Buildings, Patent Office,
Capital, and last, though not least, the Presl-
dents White House. There are many things
here to interest stranger. The Japanese Am
bassadors are the lions of tho day just now.
Last week, the Democratic party, through
its Senators, enuncated a new doctrine, not
withstanding four short years ago the Cncin.
natl Platform was adopted, and squatter sover-
eighty endorsed, and Buchanan, in his letter
accepting the nomination, said that the people
OF Territory, like those of State, had an
undoubted right to form their domestic institu-
tions as they chose. The Democratic Senate,
by thirty-fve votes, now affirm the duty of the
Government to protect Slavery in the Territories
against any adverse legislation by the people of
the Territories. What say the Democrats Of
Washington County to this new demand-this
new aggression upon the peoples rights.
Will they stand the slaughter of Douglas, their
leader, and the slaughter of their principles,
too? (for Douglas surely will be slaughtered
by the South. Even if he gets majority at
Baltimore, the South will not support him. or
will they, as very large proportion Of their
former brothers did in 1854, say as we conscien-
tiOusly said, then we will go where true Demo-
cratic principles lead the way, and when they
disappear we cease to follow?
Iattended the Senate to-day. The House
Post-Ofic Appropriation bill was under con-
sderation. Mr. Hammond of s. G.. stated and
Mr.. Toombs acknowledged, that he (Toombs)
objected to and killed the bill of last session.
So much for the fact. The House by their bill
proposed to restore the routes discontinued in
consequence of the failure of the bill last year,
and on this section of the bill Senators Hunter
and Toombs undertook to make this point
against the Republicans while the party
in their platform at Chicago professed to be in
favor of going back to the principles of the
! fathers, and were in favor Of retrenchment and
reform, their Representatives here had voted to
increase the expenses of the Post Office Depart
ment by two or three millions 1t was also
stated that while the Republicans protested to
be in favor of the laboror, they were willing to
tax him by a duty on sugar and other articles
(Which the laborer needs as much Of as the
manufacturer or merchant prince,) for the bene-
fit of said business classes, who were chiefly ben
Gifted by the system Of low postage. These
ideas were enforced with good deal of energy
and oratory, both being fine speakers. They
elected a smile of appreciation from the South
erners in the gallery. Now for the other side.
Senator Chandler of Michigan said it was
true that the Republica party was in favor of
spreading knowledge before the people by in
creased mail facilities, and the present sys-
TEN Of low postage But it was also true
that the Democratic party, or its officers, had
been giving ninety-three cents or the dollar
more for the Post Office printing than respon-
sible person would do it for, and that the tens
of thousands of dollars that the people had
been defrauded of in that way, had been spent
by this corrupt Administration in buying votes
for the Lccompton bill, and in su staining Dem
ocrat:c papers. The Democrats WINGED at this
castigation, and smiled over the left.
Senator Collamer spoke on this bill, and Sem
ators crowded around him from all sides of the
house. He received better attention than any
other Senator. This arose partly from his &C
knowledged talents, and partly, probably, from
his intimate kno Wedge of the subject, he hav-
ing been Postmaster-General under Taylor.
There is to be Republican Ratification
Meeting here to night. Yours,
Ii. K. SLAYToN.