Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-02-28
WARRINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

wASHINaT0N NHws AND GOSSIP.
Col. Benton's Misfortuns - We are very
sure that no other calamity has occurred here
for years past which has created 20 greet 70
gret in the popular mind Of Washington, Is
the loss which Col. Benton sustained yesterday
afternoon In the burning of his papers. Tho
loss involved in the destruction Of the house
and much of his furniture was triAing in COM
parison with that Of bis papers-the accumu-
lation of his life time, spent in tho public SER
vice. Though holding hardly q single sen:i-
ment in common with Col. Benton, We can
realize the distressing force of this dispense.
ton of Providence, and sincerely sympa.
thize with him in his great misfortune. Next
to his life, from his habits Of study and careful
preservation Of every scrap of paper bearing
on his connection with public affairs, the
m manuscripts which were destroyed yesterday
afternoon by the FIRE on G street, were to him,
doubtless, most dear. They were to have fur
nished him the materials for the entertain
mont Of his 50 remarkably active mind, and for
agreeable employment during his remaining
time on earth. But they have been swept,
in IN hour, from under his hand-gcne,
all gone.
We have said az fest many sharp things Of
the old gentleman Of late, which, in view of
his misfortune, are all rising up in our mem
DRY, to rsproach rs We should have had
more charity for the ihfrmities Of increasing
age, and the bitterness of the disappointment
of hopes of the Presidsacy which we're legiti-
mate, inasmuch a. they were founded on long,
useful and honorable public service. The
Colonel, himself, has little of the milk Of hu-
man kindness to dispense to those from whom
he differs, and we confess our weakness in
falling into that vein of his, in thinking and
writing Of him. -
However, he has met with calamity only
second to that with which be was not long
since afflicted, in the loss of his so universally
beloved and respected wife. Thus, he has los.
the remaining partner Of his lifs-his manu-
scripts. The companions, the results and
counsellors Of his hours Of toll. No one Can
form an idea of the extent of his loss, who 4
unacqua inted with his habits of life
Naturaliza tion.-The Journal of Conamercs
Of Monday contains an elaborate and able ed
itorial article upon tho subject Of the natural
ization laws, embracing valuable statistics Of
the emigration to the United States, with
comments upon its character, and its present
and prospective influence on our affairs
Though not coinciding in all its conclusions,
We regret that We have not space at our com.
mand In which to rspublish this article, as il
embraces many facts of interest. The editor
concludes that some change of the terms on
which foreigners may now become citizens Of
the United States, is desirable. We certainIy
agree with that conclusion, hswever indis
posed, as We are, most emphatically, to the
principles and plans of the so called Know
Nothing organization. The charactekof the
emigration which has been focking to the
United States Of late years, is in the main
very different from that VIII, n camo here
prior to 1s4S. Until this ch4nge took place
"
persons in the United States, designed to
change the character Of any portion of our
Institutions, was a thing unheard Of MOI
were foreigners among Us gregarious, except
70. charitable, and, therefore, commendabls
purposes While We are disposed to lay due
share Of the blame for the present existence Of
q very different state Of things among them on
the demagogism Of the American politicians of
the day, the aptnsss of the new corners to take
advantage of their want of heightened princi
pie, as manifested in the eagsrnoss they dis
play to remodel society in America on very
reprehensible models, indeed, warns US that
We should, if possible, put it out of their
power, in every instance, to do Us harm.
As anxious as We are to prevent injury to So
ciety hereto our Institutions from the DO
litical labors of the radical infdels of the Old
World, the class of immigration which we re-
gard as 80 injurious to the United States,) we
sincerely believe that greater injury is threat.
ened to the character and tone Of our Govern
mens from the sweeping change of the princi-
pie Of religious equality under our Constitu.
tion and laws, which is being urged under
pretence of checking foreign influence, and
from the means Of deception false pretencesj
upon which the community are being taught
to base their conduct hereafter. Tho basis of
is integrity and fair dealing In all
things. No man can be Christian in aught
but the name, who holds that it is right to
dseetvs his nsighbor-to lie to him-to carry
out any purpose whatever. Believing that
the purposes and principles of the new poIit-
ical organization strike at the duration of re.
ligious equality in the privileges guaranteed
under our Constitution and laws to all Amer
loan citissns, and that they inculcate double
dealing in public and private affairs, We hold
that they threaten greater domestic dangers
than the present influx Of undesirable foreign
srs among US. While We are willing to aid in
bringing about wise and really patriotic re-
vision Of the naturalization laws, we are not