Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-01-03

WASHINGTON D. c. Dec 2Sth, 1853.
CiENTIEEEN II wish it was in my power to write
you something satisfactory as to the state Of things
here. L would beof no service for me to enumer-
ATE the thousand rumors and speculations that
constitute the staple Of conversation and telegraph
c dispatches. The latest Of thee has, at present.
some show of plausibiity-it is that the Republi-
cans and South Americans have struck bargain
by which they are to divide the spoils-SHERMAN
for Speaker and UNDERwooD for Clerk. say this
looks plausible from the fact that few days ago
when SHERMAN was fairly cornered in the House in
his endorsement Of the HELPER book, NELSON came
to his rescue BY declaring that SHERMAN had dis
claimed and repudiated the HELPRR book This vol
untary Intervention, unsustaned by the facts look
ed very much like there was some understanding
between the parties. 1t may turn out however
that this like hundreds Of other such reports. has
no foundation OF the final election Of SIBERIAN
have no doubt, but it remains to be seen whether
the result is brought about by the Americans or
the antLecomptonites. Either has the power to
eOnsummate the job and both, 1 think, hate Demoe-
racy more than they hate RepubHcanism.
The presidential question has been cvershadowed
by the pressing topics that command immediate at
I
l either see, or imagine 1 see, some evidences of
faitering among the leaders of the Republicans.
They show much less boldness and confidence than
they did few months ago. They dare not come
out and justify BRowN and HELPER-their tone is
that Of apology-they are evidently in the dilemma
Of trying to hold together the extremes of their
party-there is a lack of decision in their course
| they seem to be waiting for their great leader.
| What viii he his policy on his return viii not con-
lecture. If he determines that now is the time to
make the decisive issue we shall see all their cour-
age restored and shall have the contest of North
/ and South in its unadulterated form. have some
reason TO think however, that there is so much
panic in the Republican ranks that it may be deem
ed polite for SEWARD to bide his time with the view
Of recovering their strength by running some such
/ Southern doughfacc as BATES, of Missouri. The
choice of either horn Of the dilemma seems TO me
10 increase our chances for 1860 Whether our sue
cess in 1860 would do more than defer the evil day
no one can tell. To those Of US, however, who
really want the Union preserved and perpetuated
time is Of great Importance. is possible that in
four years the people Of the South may succeed in
convincing those Of the North that the Union is a
thing that could be dissolved. At present the mis-
fortune is that Northern people regard all declara-
tons about dissolving the Union as idle threats
as the mere cry Of wolff wolf" 1t is worse
than useless to attempt to reason with them this
subject-the only argument that can reach their
sensibilities is that touches the pOcketnerve.
After much anxious reflection this subject, and
with a sincere devotion to the Union, forced to
the conviction that the Southern people save the
Union in no other way than by resOrting to the al
mighty-dollar argument
Whether cur party can harmonic and concentrate
all its strength in 1860, is matter Of vital impor
lance. OF late have been encouraged to hope foT
effective harmony, from the constancy with which
the Douglas men have cc-operated with US in the
House. Whether the old Squatter Sovereignty sore
viii be torn open in the discussion of the President
Message, is yet to be I am afraid that DoUG-
Las man be induced by indisereet friends, or pro
voled by equally indiscreet opponents, to open up
his war on the doctrines Of the President. Compar
ativeiy little is sad here as to the probable cand
date Of our party.
viii write to you again during my brief stay
! here, if have any impressions that in my judy
ment, would be interesting to you or to your read
/ crs. CIVITAs.