Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-03
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

Washington was greatly agftated half a
ce1fury ago over the question Of the detno-
cratic nomination for the
F0l1dCal presidency. shout to De
Excitement. made by the convention OF
the party scheduled for
meeting at Cincinnati on the I'd Of June,
1856. There were three main candidates
In the feld-7Jas Buchanan of PennsyI-
vania. stephen A. Douglas OF Illinois and
President Pierce The capital was not cniy
aroused by reason of the interest taken IN
the situation by members of Congress ana
the administration but because of the fact
that very many of the delegates and their
friends were approaching the meeting
place by way OF this city. In Tho star
OF May 20. 1865. is the following paragraph.
Indicative OF the surcharged political at
mesphere of the District at that time:
Each succeeding arrival of railroad
trains and steamboats, Is bringing upon us
In Washington an avalanche OF deiegaTes
TO the approaching Cincinnati democratic
national convention and other leading DEM
ocratic politicians from all quarters OF rns
union-California, Texas. Missouri and 9TH
er far~distant states being numerously rep-
resented among them. or course deal
of cahoodling and rubbing of patriotic noses
together is going on in all public places
around the city; to say nothing Of the Tx
Ing up OF matters taking place in hotel
parlors and other hooks and corners. New
ertheiess q good spirit prevails among Ill
those referred I'd above. Their unanimous
opinion appears to- be that their nominse,
whoever he may be. will surely triumph IN
November by majority well nigh as great
as that by which General Jackson was
elected to his second term In the presi-
dency."
While this political agitation was strongly
In evidence, social affairs were by no means
s. neglected in the capital. In The
Soclai Star Of May q. 1855, there is an
Event. account OF an Odd Fellows.
levee couched In the style then
In vogue In newspaper writing:
We believe We express the universal
sentiment Of those present at the meeting
Last night when saying that a more salts
FACTORY and enjoyable affair has never
taken place In our community The Ievee
was graced by the presence of an unex-
pectedly large number of ladies, and as the
gentlemen present were arrayad for the
most part In the regalia of the orde. The
effect may be conceded to have been Drill
hant. Addresses We're made by .iie ven
cradle Past Grand Master Wildey, Honor
able Mr. Stanton. Honorable Mr. Coltax
with vocal music by a NUMBER OF ana
teurs OF fine musical attainments and with
instrumental music by Weber's capital
oand The piano used on this occasion.
q superior toned one. and at which ROT.
Foertsch presided with his usual ability.
was from the piano establishment Of Mr..
Ellis. Upon the conclusion of the adore sses
the seats We're removed from The hall ana
from mat hour until daylight dill the happy
party keep up the joyous dance, aud even
then seemed 10th to quit the scene of so
much enjoyment
We like such gatherings. They are cal
cuiated eminently to promote gooi feeling
and to advance that universal mr. ,thnrho ~
which We all feel to be SO desrahe b1,t
which SO little effort Is made to attain. All
credit, then. be given to the robIe order
OF odd Fellows for the advancement they
are making In the right direction. We feel
conndent that the world will be better ana
happier for more such social gatherings
ana interchanges of good feelings as that
of last night
Inc news and gossip of Europe was
owing to the lack Of cleo
= oPo eonl{a trio communication be-
Happenings. tween the old and the
new worlds, and the arri-
val OF each transatlantic steamer was an
event Of great Importance In The star
Of May 80. 1856, is a batch of paraeranhs
wired from New York summarizing the
news brought by the Cunard steamer
Africa, which arrived the evening ,preyf-
GUS, with Liverpool dates to the 18th in
slant. Some of the dispatches are OF in
terest as suggestive of the current Of
events in England and on the continent.
The weather has been more genial and
favorable for agricultural purposes
The general news Is unimportant Par
lament was not In session. Politics are
quiet and Central American affairs have
produced no excitement
The English journals in government In
terests explain Lord Clarendon's letter re-
specting the two thousand rifles furnished
Costa RIGA. The British government has
quantities OF old muskets for sale and
would be glad to meet with other custom
ers besides the Costa Ricans.
THE sittings Of Crimean board of in
quiry are within a day or two of determi-
nation.
"A pension of FIVE thousand pounds has
been granted to Marquis Dalhousi by the
East India Company on the ground that
he annexed four Kingdoms to their terri
tory.
"A great outcry against Lord Palmer
ston has been made on account of his hay-
ing prohibited the playing of military
bands in the parks on Sundays.
THE trial of Palmer, the alleged pois-
oner, is progressing In London and at
tracing much attention. Most of the emil
nent members Of the English bar are en-
ployed on both sides.
1.-THE London Times Crimean correspond
ent sets down the Russian losses In and
around Sebastobal at $4,000 men. while
100000 men perished of fatigue and dis-
ease. 1t says they would not have ben
able to sustain themselves many days
longer had peace not been declared.
'Hostilities have been recommended be-
tween the Russians and Circassians."
NIT (P TUE JIINEIE