Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-12-10

Tux SouruEsS SENATORIAL CAUCUS, that TOOK
nl,es ON saturday Last, continues to be the topic
a. most earnest conversation In Washington, little
eenc.,sing the details Of what trsnspired therein
being generally known. By way Of satisfying
popular curiosity In the matter, we have to say,
that with single exception there was entire una
nlmity among those present, (and every Southern
seastor<b said to have been there, except Mr.
essulseury, who II sick, and Mr.. Toombs, who IL
absent a. 10 the fact that unless the orth speed
nv svinees- disposition that she win surely give
additional constitutional guarantees, the seces.
sion Of South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi
and florids, win almost surely take place before
the 4th Of March, with a strong probability tnas
Georgia, Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas, Will ioi-
low them out Of the Union In brief season.
Tbs excepti On referred to above we believe to
have been Senator Pearce, Of Maryland, who still
holds to the impression that prompt Congressional
sctio, and public assurances Of conservatism from
the President elect may all the States named
above. except South Caroiins, to pause until a
General Southern Convention may be able to de-
termins upon a line Of joint Southern action for
the protection Of the rights Of the slaveholding
stafesin the Union. 60,
Mr.. Crittenden is understood to have urged
such Southern action al imperatively called for;
and while deprecating secession ere essaying
final EFFORT TO obtain Southern rights In the Union
he 10 also said to have proclaimed that there wa'
no doubt that II the Government breaks up
Kentucky would unite her fate and fortun'
with her slaveholding sisters, unless prevented
from % doing by oligarchic precipitanc>
on the part Of the Gulf States. His argument
and these of one CT two others have doubt
less already had the effect Of convincing tn,
cotton States Senators that unless the Southern
Convention demanded by the border States b
accorded ere the Gulf States secede, the latte
will find themselves involved IN inextr!cablt
embarrsnments.
Mr. BENJAMIN 10 believed 10 have proved lin tn,
conversational d scussIon that took place. one o
the most ardent opponents Of immediate secession
present.
Ga the whole, we are satisfied that the caucu
had good eject, ia opening the eyes Of the Sen
ators from the extreme South to the fact that th,
only hope they (the extreme South) could have o
inducing the border slsveholdiag States to join
In their movement, ultimately, lies In the fairnes
with which they now treat them. That is to say
In the manner In which they respond to their de
rnand to have &c ual voice with South Carolina
Alabama, and Mississi ppi, In determining wha
the South course In the emergency shall be.
We are satisfied tat most Of the border Stat
Senator'S caused 1t to be distinctly understood tina
II the States favcring separate and precipitate &C
ton fall listen to the requests Of their States
they fthe border Ststes) will probably be com
PEELED 70 seek safety for themselves in some com
bination Of States which, while eschewing (i
case Of the disruption of the Government) longe
connection with New England, will equal
eschew the policy of joining nominal Souther
ConfederacY, wherein the principles Of America
popular liberty shall be abased and those Of a
blgarchic government to further particular In
terests only, shall be established in their stead;
being quite as easy to form a powerful govern
ment to embrace the border slaveholding, middle
and western States, az to form an entire souther
States Confederacy; there being quite a. niue
bomogeneity among the former As among tn
latter and the elements Of individual and nations
prosperity being at leass a. abundant in the one
In the other, II not more 80.
The tenor Of recent South Carolina Legislation
and oratory, developing the apparent fixed purpos
Of the ruling spirits Of the movement to have u
proposed new southern government partake MOI
Of the character Of a monarchy supported by q
olgarchy based wholly upon the possession
slaves on the part Of the preferred class, W;
deubtless he'd up by the border slave State Sel
atos In this meeting, q substantial reason VIII
II the Guf States assume to act without emit
southern concord, the hope of a future union
tween them 10 likely to prove q very fallacio
one indeed.