Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-12-15
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

able to judge of the character Of the proceed
ings Of the recent Southern Convention at Sa-
vannah from the meagre reports by telegraph
we acknowledge that We are serely disap-
pointed in its action, for We cannot perceive
that the calm wisdom and conservative spirit
that should have controlled its members have
not in measure given place to individual
schemes Of speculation, utopian ideas of Sec
tional improvements and advancement, politi-
cal ultrsisms and idiosyncracies, and other
extravagancies and vagaries literally "too
numerous to mention" This state of things
is to some extent not the result of facts in
separable from the character of such gather
lngs; as, heretofore, it has not marked the
proceedings Of these conventions to so great
degree. Though people who have had axes
to grind have Invariably gone to them to tina,
end, never before have they been able to OBJ.
tain the direction of their affairs apparently
so completely. The interest and safety of the
South lies in holding tho General Government
strictly within constitutional limits and pre-
venting it as far as possible from interfering
in the business affairs of the people.
This convention appears to have striven to
hunt up schemes to be carried out by the ex-
penditure Of money from tho national treas
ury, such as not one in ten Southern members
OF Congress would feel at liberty to touch with
forty -foot pole. Thus, the telegraph tells
Us that it urged the establishment, by the
Government, of additional ocean steamer lines
or monopolies; so, also, did it endorse SINH
lar recommendation of the scheme known as
the Tehuantepec route to California--a pro-
posed ocean mail steamer scheme under an
other name, In which this Government cannot
possibly dabble without coming into immedi-
ate and direct conflict with Mexico, if we COM
prehend correctly the position of the Mexican
Government with reference to the speculation.
We may not forget to mention the heartiness
with which it ia said also to have endorsed the
entire feasibility of the profitable establish.
ment of tho proposed 30, OOO-tons steamer en-
terprise-an untried experiment that could
not pay between two such ports as New York
and Liverpool, or it would long since have
capital. So, too, did it endorse the Pacific
Railroad scheme, and cut up a multitude of
other shindies which we cannot enumerate for
want of space.
The New York Herald seems to US not far
out Of the way in comparing a portion of its
action to that of WOmen's Rights conventions.
We regret that this conclusion is forced on
our mind, but nevertheless, we do entertain it.
The truth is, the body was Irresponsible and
was made up in considerable part of notorious
ly kinkey dreamers, rather than of sound think
lag and cautious and conservative mon Its
aim seems to have been to give prominence to
the schemes of dreamers, and to grind tie
axes Of spectators. In SO doing, it appears
to US seriously to have damaged the interestsit
was called to subserye, by bringing them uni
versaily into ridicule. We entertain hone
that the publication of the full record of their
proceedings may relieve the reputation Of this
gathering from the imputations brought on it
through the telegraphic reports though We
must admit, that hope is but lingering one.
Sound Views In the Richmond (Va.) En-.
qmirer Of the 18th instant, We find an article
upon the tactical results Of the late general
election, full of wisdom and true patriotism, and
we bespeak for it due consideration of those
members of Congress whose politics are found
ed on principle. The Importance of its sug-
gestions are beyond all question, and what it
says of the future course of those for whom
the Enquirer speaks-the States Rights De-
mocracy Of the South-is known to DO true to
the letter, by hundreds now surrounding US.
We quote the article in question as follows:
There are persons who seem to think, be.
cause the discussion of the tariff and other dis
tlnctive Democratic principles was suspended
during the recent canvass, that they arc strick.
en- from the platform, and are of no more au-
thority and obligation; and that the policy of
the incoming administration will be deter
mined exclusively in reference to the slavery
question. If this be a correct opinion, then
| indeed is the victory barren of any practical
result. For, while, in this view the election
of Mr.. Buchanan operates an oblivion of the
essential principles Of the Democratic party,
1t fails 10 indemnify US by the settlement of
the slavery controversy. The angry debate
which the Presidents message has provoked
IN Congress, clearly proves that the Black Re-
publican party do not intend even to suspend
their assaults upon the South.
"Whatever other persons may infer from
| the result Of the recent canvass, we certainly
do not understand that it impairs the force or
the prominence Of single principle Of the
Democratic party. On the contrary, we claim
that the popular approval of our creed, as i'm
piled in the election of Mr.. Buchanan, i'm
parts fresh vitality and power to all the prin-
ciples of our platform So far from suffering
| total or even temporary eclipse, they shine
| with warmer glow and a more brilliant Ius.
ire Nor can they be derided as empty alb.
| stractions, when their immediate application
Is so urgently demanded by the dea res. inter
osts Of the country While the treasury is
besleged by clamorOus crew of spoilsmen
with every conceivable scheme of corrupt and
| unconstitutional expenditure-while onsrous
| imposts are advocated TO supply a fund for
profigate distribution-while the public lands
are made the prey Of rapacious appetite for
plunder-while the Pacific Railroad threatens
to bestrido the cOnfcderacy like Colossus,
and to usurp the supreme sway which was so
hardly wrUng from the grasp Of that other