Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-05-04
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

! WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
The State and Prospects Of European Po-
litical Affairs.-We have been favored with a
letter from . distinguished European states
man, formerly well known from his political
position as q moderate Conservative repubn.
can, who says that he CLOCKS upon the pre-
sent situation of affairs (politicaD as being
very unpromising for the republican cause
Very extraordinary changes must occur before
the liberal element, in France particularly,
| can again be in the ascendant. The Eastern
war will have a tendency to consolidate the
power in Louis Napoleon's hands, unless great
reverses should befall the French arms. The
war, it is thought by all intelligent and we'll
informed men on the continent will be long
and bloody, and no human foresight can yet
divine its result. The best informed persons
are yet in some doubt as to the future course
of Prussia and Austria. Last week (this let
ter bearing date April 18th, ult.-ED.) every
body was rejoicing over the favorable news
from Prussia, then believed to be on the point
of declaring for the Western Powers. So far
as Austria is concerned, the fact that she re-
Gently marched troops towards Servia, was
taken, last week, to mean that she too was
about to declare against the Gar. Now, how
ever, public opinion throughout Western Eu-
rope is changed. 1t is indeed believed that
the joint protocol of these Powers prussia and
Austria) backed by Austria's protestations,
mean that they will stand precisely in the po-
sition which it is Russia desire that they shall
oecupy-thatof armed notwithstanding as
barriers between the Cars Eastern frontiers
and his Western Powers as assailants. England
and France can do Russia little harm from the
Baltic and Euxine. Indeed, many believe that
they will be compelled in the end to march
over Prussia and Austria, and thus make the
war general throughout Europe"
The Veto has formed the staple of nearly
all the conversation in political circles here
since half pastone o'clock yesterday afternoon.
1t is surprising to find how it has slenced
general opposition in the Democratic ranks
Many gentlemen, with personal grievances
against the Administration-growing out of
their failure to be gratifed in the dispensation
of the patronsge-seem to have suddenly for
gotten that they do not profess to be admins
tration men. We can only account for the
sudden conversion, on the ground that they
anticipate very general sanction of the posi-
tons of the veto by 1.-THE party everywhere
q sort of prompt general Democratic rally to
the Administration, despite their recent labors
fho ;o;o oT fba
dent
As interpreted by the politicians of both
parties, the veto is taken to mean that all bills
disposing of the public lands except in man
ner clearly calculated to benefit the Treasury
of the United States will be served in the
same way.
We might write column more on this SUBJ
jsct without shedding more light upon the con-
| dition of public opinion here as to what it
means, so far as the future is concerned, which
is tho all important question.
Half dozen members (Democratic) who
were conspieuously active in urging the "Miss
Dix's bill'' through either House, are of cour se
dissatisfied. All the rest including many who
u.
wanted some distinct issue, on which to have
the party take bold stand-a stand to chal.
lenge all corners. They have their wish, and
might find to-day, in this State paper, just
what they have been longing for.
The Wounded Editor in California.-Mr.
Washburne, editor of the Alta California, in
San Francisco, who, it will be remembered
was, not long since, wounded in a duel by Mr.
Washington, editor of the Times and Tran.
script, of the same city, is younger brother
of the Messrs. Washburne of the House of
Representatives, from Maine and Illinois. We
understand that they have advices by the last
arrival which assure them that, though severe,
his wound is not dangerous.
Astrange Mistake The New York Herald
on Monday last in order to find fault with the
present Administr alton, Pushes q mares nest
in the recent instructions" of the Postmaster
General concerning the terms on which the
special post Offices are to be supplied with
| the mails in the region of country comprised
in the lettings which have just taken place.
The Objectionable feature of these instructions
| notifies the world that the net proceeds of the
hostages, payable at each of the special offices
| aforesaid, if failing to amount to the sum for
| which the contract be given out for the supply
of the particular Office will be all which the
contractor must expect Upon the strength
| of this announcement, the HeraM grayely 81 g
mites to the West, that hundreds Of her post
Offices in towns, villages, &C., are to be de.
prived of their existing mail facilities by the
present shocking Administration!
The truth is, the alien conductor of the
Heruld is ignorant of the meaning of the term,
especial post Office" under the laws of the
United States. 1t means post office which is
not situated upon any road that has been
made mail route by act of Congress, and for
the supply of which the Postmaster General
cannot legally pay beyond the amount of the
net proceeds Of the particular office When
ever it may happen that a special Office is To-
Gated in torn or riiiage, (and we fancy that
there are not fifty such cases in all the States J
the net proceeds of the Office will always paw
much more than the price agreed on for the
supply of Office.
Special post Offices are, in almost all cases,
located off public roads-in all cases off roads