Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-01-18
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.


essaysd to place the astute Georgian on the
iuouisitorial rack. Mr.. Zollicoffer's point
was to prove that during the tendency
| of the New Mexican government bill in 1850
Mr.. Stephens, who now repudiates the Mis-
souri, restriction, professed to be willing te
have. the South draw the sword in its defence
Mr. s. admits, that, as the alternative of Civ.
ing up the whole of the territory to the North
for which the latter contended-he did SC
struggle for it; and he met the denunciations Of
his course on that occasion that fell from his
accuser's lips, by the question whether, had
he (Mr. Zollicoffer) been in Congress at the
time, would he not have stood side by side
with him (Mr. 81 in that position, which was
occupied at that time by every member from
every slaveholding State? Mr.. Zollicoffer,
though again and again asked for reply to
that question, declined answering yes or no.
Mr. Stephens declared that he had sustained
the extension of the Missouri compromise on
that occasion simply as an alternative, and
not because he thought it the most just and
proper thing in the premises that could have
been done by Congress. He believed that the
Mexican law excluding slavery was then ope-
rative over all the territory acquired by the
treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and that it was
due to the Southt hat Congress should so legis-
late upon it as at least to open half of it to her
institutions and citizens. Hence his support of
the extension Of the Missouri law to the Pa
ciHc Ocean. But for the fact that he believed
the Mexican law mentioned above to be in
force, of course he would not have taken that
ground; his object being to remove from SO
much of the territory as lay south of SO deg.
80 min, north latitude, the alleged then ex-
listing anti-slavery restriction. He sustains
the principle of the Nebraska bill, as he ex.
plains, because it brings back our territorial
government system to what he believes to be
the true principle of the constitution; which
makes it obligatory upon the General Govern
ment to protect slave property in the United
States territories co-equally with any other
property whatever, until at proper time, in
forming a State government, the inhabitants
of territory may decide, in a proper way,
after lin the new Sta.e) exist among them
His exposition of his present views, and of hi S
former course upon this exciting and intricate
subject, was one of the clearest and most for
chile legislative efforts we ever listened to /;
and it fell with great force, indeed, on the
minds of very large and attentive audience.
He completely demolished the positions Of
Mr.. Zollicoffer; exposing their weakness as
we'll as that gentlemen's entire want Of iden-
tity with the interests Of the South in the
course of opposition to the opponents of the
Republican party, he has chosen as his plan of
battle in the present contest. We can have no
doubt, however, that, after his passage at arms
with Mr.. S., yesterday, Mr.. ZollicOfer will
soon come to realize that he is simply streng-
thening the hands of those who are aiming to
strangle the rights of Tennessee among those
of the rest Of the slavehOlding States.
Minister Wheeler.-Herewith appended
we publish for the information of our readers
the explanation made by Col. H. Wheeler,
u S. Minister to Nicaragua, of the reasons
| inducing him so soon TO step forward, and
| without instructions to that end, to acknowl-
edge the government of the fllibuster, Walker,
as the rightful authority of the country in
which he temporarily resides. His letter is
in answer to a tender from half dozen Amer
| leans (acting as a committee) of the compli-
ment of public dinner.
Judging from the tenor of his explanation,
we feel assured that Col. Wheeler, however
correct his intentions may have been, is by
| no means satisfied that he has not committed
an egregious JanZ pas. The worst feature in
| the whole business, is the fact that this
| revolution, which he argues TO have been right
and proper, was almost wholly the work OF
American adventures, having no legitima ate
Interest whatever in the country, and that
the government he rushed forward to &C.
knowledge, is their's-not that of native OF
naturalised citizens Of Nicaragua. But we
do not at present propose to criticise his paper
| which is as follows:
| Gentlemen have received yours of the
| 18th INST, approving" as citizens of the
| United States nowise connected with the pres.
ent administration of the government of Mica.
ragua, or with any preceding one-of INV
| course as Minister of the United States durins
the late time of excitement and peril in thi.
Republic" and requesting me to name day
to meet you and your friends at public dinner
in this city.
For these expressions of appreciation fee
deeply grateful.
Next to consciousness of having faithfully
discharged his duty to his country, the appro
baton of his fellow citizens is most grateful
| to public servant
You are here on the ground you know and
have witnessed the times of excitement and
peril through which we have all passed., and
no one can know better than you do the man.
ner with which have endeavored to discharge
my duty. o
| By the treaty of peace formed by the chief,
OF the two contending parties, on the 18th O
october last, fusion of both parties that hay,
SO long distracted this Republic, deluged it il
blood, and laid waste the country, was con
summated-peace was restored, and govern
ment, by unanimous consent, was formed, II
II n rAsa r Ill Al 4