The national Republican., 1860-12-04
Items Telegraphed from Washington.

We select the following items from quite q
number telegraphed from this city, principally
to the Northern press.
Washington, Dec. 3.-The most important
movement, it is said, originates with Senator
Crittenden and one or two other conservative
members. Their exact plans are not known
in detail but the preliminary condition of them
is to have q caucus of the Southern members
and talk over the matter, state their grievances
and place them in tangible shape, and make
q written proposition for their settlement. 1t
is then proposed to call a caucus of the North.
ern members, who shall prepare another plan
for the equitable Cancellation of the momentous
questions of the South. Finally, TO compare
the two plans, and see if Q united compromise
can be agreed upon, that will be salts factory to
the South, particularly to the cotton and ex-
treme Southern States.
John Cochrsne, of New York, is said to have
proposition to refer the portion Of the mes
sage touching secession, in both Houses, with
out debate, to committee Of one from each
State, with instructions to report, in the course
of thirty days, an amendment to the Constitu-
ton which will cover and settle all differences,
the members Of the committee to be selected
by the delegations Of the State represented. If
this proposition is accepted, time will be afford
ed for deliberaton, and little time for refec.
ton and friendly conference will be great
gain.
The South Carolina members are said to
scout all propositions for compromise, and are
likely to impair their influence with the border
States by their ultra position.
A number of prominent, non.political, infu-
ential Southern planters and merchants, of the
higV Vest responsibility, arrived here on Satur-
day morning, in accordance with previous
arrangement amongst themselves, and called
upon the President; after which, private eau.
Gus meeting was held in the parlors of the
Union Club House, where an address was pre-.
pared warmly endorsing the President. This
address is to be printed in the form Of peti.
ton and sent to friends in all of the Southern
States, after which they are to be sent to their
respective Representatives in Congress here,
who will be urged to sustain Mr.. Buchanan and
the Union. These gentlemen, who appear to
be quiet, unassuming, thoughtful men, repre-.
sent slave property to the amount OF 81, 100000
which, while in the Union, they believe it to be
comparatively safe, while out Of the Union they
contend there is no safety. The majority Of
them left for their homes the same evening
and hope to return in a few days with unmis,
taxable evidence of the predominance of tht
Systematic efforts have been made to con
woke meetings. and several conferences have
been held between the Republicans and South
ern leaders, and there is a strong prospect Of {
satisfactory settlement of the difficulties on
permanent basis.
Among the first business of the session will
be the introduction in the Senate, by Senator
Douglas, Of bill making it penal offence Il
obstruct United States officers in executing tn,
fugitive slave law.
Washington, Dec. 3-The congratulation
among the members of the two Houses of Con
gress upon their assembling to-day were seem
ingly as cordial as heretofore. Many of then
had met to-day in their respective Chamber
for the first time this session.
The assurances from the members and other
from Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, tina
these States will positively follow the move
ment Of South Carolina, have unmistakabl,
alarmed the conservatives who, before coming
hither were, they say, of the opinion that tina
State only would venture upon secession.
= The Republican Senators held caucus Ia
day, with reference to the formation of tn
standing committees.
There is consultation in progress tonight
among the members of several Congressona
delegations from the Southern States. Thei
object seems TO be to secure the co.operatio
of the border sayeholding States in the secei
sion movement
The Treasury Department to-day was er
abled 10 pay only about twenty FIVE per cen
on the mileage due Congressman.
The projected meeting of the Union men
bers of the House and Senate, which was I
have taken place to night, has been indefnitel