Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-17
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

all Of which are really Of their own creation.
Their principles are based wholly on extrava-
CANT ideas Of the fitness of things, at war with
the policy Of the Government from its founda.
ton. MI. Changers last speech, wherein he
took the ground that the Constitution was
formed to abolish slavery in the States, and
the endorsement of that singular position by
the New York Tribune as being the very
quintessence of constitutional law-the Tn
bune being the chief exponent of the doctrines
of its party-provs its aptitude for progress. :"
The Kansas State bill of Senator Seward is
really not behind the Granger theory in ab-
surdity. 1t proposes that Congress shall ac-
knowledge the validity Of the action of the
Abolition party of the Territory at Topeka,
admitting Kansas, as State, into the Union,
on the Topeka made constitution, which it is
not pretended is the work Of more than
single political party of the Territory, who, in
adopting it, did an act of revolution. That
is, they assumed authority to substitute their
Abolition-party made State government for
the Territorial government enacted by Con-
gress, and in force according to all existing
law. When Mr.. Seward brought forward his
bill, his party believed they would be able
easily to pass it through the House, and their
purpose was, next, to go before the country
upon it in the Fall. But it is already ap-
parent that it will be beaten perhaps fifty
votes in the House. Indeed, so clearly and
emphatically do the conservative opposition
members from the North express themselves
in conversation against Mr.. Stewards project,
as to make it questionable, in our mind,
whether his partizans will seriously essay to
press it.
The bill of Senator Douglas will pass the
Senate by an overwhelming majority. In the
House it, at this moment, has clear majority
Of fifty, or We are greatly mistaken. 1t SIM
ply provides that when Kansas has the requi-
site population she may enter the Union with
such a constitution as her citizens may adopt,
without reference to the slavery question,
provided it be republican. The spirit of the
Constitution of the United States runs through
its every position, while it carries out to the
letter, and without fear or favor, the great
principles Of the Nebraska-K ansas act.
The Hon. H. W. Davis.-We know of moth
ing that has given the citizens of W ashinston
greater pain than the position taken by the
Hon. Mr.. Davis of Maryland, in the course Of
the recent debate on the water-works q uestion
Famous, as he is, for being an adherent to
the rules of constructing the Constitution with
the greatest latitude, it seems that he doubts
the power of the General Government to con-
struct portion Of work outside of the District
of Columbia, designed to protect from FIRE the
Governments fifty millions worth of perish
able property here, much of which is in the
shape of the records Of the titles to hundreds
of millions worth of the property of citizens of
the States; and more especially of the Western
States. Such, We understand to have been
the view taken by Mr.. Davis, whose speech
on the subject we did not hear. Having known
him in politics ever since he began to take an
interest in public affairs, we have to say that
this is the first occasion, within our recolec-
ton, wherein he has expressed doubt OF the
existence of power in the Government to do
aught that its convenience might require. AS
well might he dispute the power of Congress
to order the construction Of the addition Of the
Capitol building, unless all the materials for
the work are to be found in quarries lying in
the District Of Columbia. The District not
being accustomed to such a line of policy on
the part Of the representatives of Baltimore,
the course of Mr.. Davis upon the water works
question has given our fellow citizens. without
distinction Of party, great pain, indeed.
The Defeat Of Walker will open the eyes
of our fellow citizens to the true state Of af
fairs in Central America. The standing army
of Costa Rica, like our own, is composed for
the most part Of foreigners; of Europeans by
birth, who are offcered by thoroughly educa-
ted and experienced European officers. The
State has ample means of providing for their
every want and paying them regularly. Those
who expected that such troops were to make
no more effective resistance to Walker and his
msrauders than the feeble nominal army of
Nicaragua, now comprehend their mistake
The Nicaraguan correspondence of the jour-
nails sympathizing with the fillibusters by
the last previous arrival, it will be remember
ed, represented the army of Costa RIGA as be-
ing a mere rabble, armed for the most part
with antique fire arms, many Of them without
locks, &c, &c. If that be true, they seem to
know well how TO handle the butts of their
pieces. However, Walkers defeat by the Co.'S
ia Ricans shows, past peradventure, the sweep
ing unreliability Of the foolish versions of af-
fairs in Central America, which Walkers
spies alono permit to leave Nicaragua for pub.
LEGATION in the United States.
Funny.-While the Republicans Of Con-
gress and the Republican press of the States
are still abusing the President roundly for
his Kansas-affairs proclamation, the leading
" Free State paper at Lawrence-The Her.
aM Of Frssdom-is thanking him for it, as