Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-12-26
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP,

A"s eAPeIlehce Win the House, rarely wit
messed the display of more adreitness by
badgered member, than that which on Monday
last marked the defense of himself against the
efforts to induce him to make an unpopular de
claration In replying to the various questions
put to him in the course of the days debate
Always self possessed, on that occasion he
evlnced quickness and keenness Of appre-
hension, for the possession of which we did not
give him credit; seiEing upon such questions
as could not be put to him without afording
him scspital opportunity to greatly strengthen
hlmself IN popular estimation at the North,
and, indeed, throughout the South, also to
render Bunkum answers designed to that end;
and as promptly refusing to reply when ques-
toned In such manner as that he could no
answer without really telling the world some
thing OF that which, we presume, was previous
ly designed to have been extracted from him
Thus, though be sang peans of praise to the
Union until We almost thought that he. too,
was fast coming to /" sit up with the corpse,"
las Prince John 30 facetiOusly expresses it,
when asked by Mr.. Boyce whether he was for
or against the repeal of the fugitive slave law.
the abolition Of slavery in the District of CO.
Iumbia, the suppression of the Interstate
slave-trade and the restoration of the Mis-
souri, restriction, he instantly replied, that, as
Mr.. Boyce had previously protested agaips.
permitting MIR. Richardson to answer ques-
tions put TO him by gentlemen who were not
rival candidates for the Speakership, he felt
under no obligation to reply to his queries
Tbs, OF course, involved no personal disre-
speet to Mr.. Boyee, while it relieved him (Mr.
Banks) from what promised to prove an ugly
dilemma, indeed. While the manner in which
he bore himself on the occasion increased our
respect and appreciation Of the talents Of Mr.
Banks, 1t also convinced US that his highfalutin
about his devotion TO the glorious Uni.1 and
all That sort Of thing, was the limslest fun
mery imaginahle-a nero throwing of dust in
the eyes Of the dear credulOus people.
We know well, indeed, from the Immediate
political associations Of Mr. Banks, that his
present views in connection with slavery
questions, arc precisely such a. make him
emphatically the candidate OF Mr. Giidings
and the twenty-five or thirty members who
hold sentiments precisely Identical with those
which that gentleman has SO long dinged into
the country's ear from his desk in the hall
The leaders Of the main opposition are we'll
aware that the ultra abolition party Of the
House cannot, under any circumstances. be
brought to vote for any one but Mr. Banks
their own Mr.. Banks. Hence their sacrifice
of Messrs. Campbell and Pennington, either
a. whom tlAv II
add that no one of any party in Washington
doubts the fact that Mr. Banks is in favor of
the repeal Of the fugitive slave law, and of
the abolition of slavery in the District of Co.
1umbia, and the interstate slave trade and
further, that on the restoration of the Missouri
restriction, if not for it, he opposes it for tie
reason on which Mr.. Giddings is understood
TO oppose it, viz: because, if restored it will be
REGARDED by more or less Of the anti-slavery
people Of the North as involving pledge
against future northern efforts to interfere
with slavery in the States
The Detention Of the Northern Light
We presume that no one in bis senses fails to
have sufficient "gumption'' to com prehend the
TACT that the three hundred and fifty young
men shipped by French to Nicaragua on the
Northern Light, were designed as recruits for
Walkers band Of fllibusteripg marauders
upon friendly power. Whether armed or not
the purpose for which they were essayed to b Q
sent to Nicaragua lie as plain as day. Iswas,
therefore, the duty Of this Government to pre-
vent the ship from leaving the port Of New
York carrying any such cargo Of passengers.
That duty has been faithfully and successfully
performed, and the President, for the manner
IN which he has caused It TO be discharged
will receive the thanks Of all who arc advo-
Gates Of the due execution of our neutrality
law
We do not see how the Nicaragua Transit
company could have refused to carry the men
as passengers, coming aboard their ship un-
armed, and underline pretense Of being peace
able cOlonists. 1t rested, under the circum-
stances. with the government, TO fix on them
their true character; that is, of their enter.
prize. AS that has been done, the legal obi
CATION resting on the Transit company, as
common carriers, is no longer operative with
reference to those particular passengers. We
presume that the company rejoice at the
speedy termination of French's fllibusteri nc
enterprise; as, had it succeeded in getting off
the ship on her return from San Juan, would
sssuredIy have been libelled and condemned
for completely in F e violation Of the law O
\ the land
\ The Plurality Rule.-We continue to al
here TO the opinion expressed in the last issu,
of the Star that, in few days, the plurali
Z ~ rule will be adopted. We have no idei
that Mr.. Campbell of Ohio, for instance, viii
hold out long against the ananimity Of thos,
in its favor with whom he has been acting
Il nor 10 we believe that the Northern Nationa
Know N0things will long stand up under tn
Il ~ ID.