Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-09-09
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

set the hive Of Washington quidnuncs IN mo-
ton, specializing upon the probabilities con-
corning the selection of his successor Of course,
various absurd rumors on the subject are a6oat
on that place whereon more wonderful political
stories are told in a twelvemontb, than in any
other city in the world-we mean Pennsylvania
avenue. Our (American) population, and more
especially that of the Federal Metropolis, CON-
posed so largely of politicians of all degrees,
from all quarters of the Union, think more,
read more, and talk far more concerning public
affairs, than any other people under the sun; and
here the turn of popular political COW ersationa
disqsls'tion is, for the most part, concerning
that interminable theme-ofice, Office, office.
But we are depressing from our topic in hand
the vacant seat on the Supreme bench; or rather
the seat thereon that is to become vacant on the
first proximo.
Many around US assign it to that distin-
guished gentleman, the Hon Nathan Clifford,
OF Maine, lawyer Of great ability, as was
demonstrated by his former mastery manage
ment OF the business of the Attorney Generals
ONCE Others-and it seems to US, those who
usually are best prognosticators in such mat
ters-believe as firmly that Secretary Touccy,
preferriDg that position, will be transferred to
1t. The fact that he is not a resident of the
particular judicial district is alleged as q rea-
son why such a transfer will not be made We,
however, are no believer in the idea that the
President will give any such reason weight for
an instant, all other points being satisfactory.
If satisfied that, under existing circumstances
the public interest can best be subseryed by
appointing Secretary Toucey to the Supreme
bench, the residence question will probably
have no weight whatever. Mr.. Toucey has
been thoroughly tried in all public positions
short of the Presidency, and is known at home
as one Of the ablest lawyers and jurists in all
New tEngland. Besides being the admitted
leader of the entire Democracy of his State, he
at this moment enjoys quite as much Of the con-
idence and regard of the united Democracy of
the whole Union as any other gentleman to be
named, whether hailing from North, South
East, OF West.
Those who believe that he will be transferred
to the Supreme bench seem to think that the
Hon. John Appleton will succeed him in the
Navy Department which seems quite probable
to US. He served some years as the chief clerk
OF that department before coming to Congress,
and in that capacity earned an enviabIe repu-
tation, indeed, among all Immediately inter-
ested in our naval affairs, besides evincing an
aptitude for the discharge of executive duties
second to that of no other gentleman who has
been connected with the public service here
for twenty years past. His subsequent success
full career as the conductor of the Democratic
party organ in Maine, as representative in
Congress from that State, as United States
Secretary of Legation at London, and in his
present position of Assistant Secretary of State.
has stamped him for one Of the first living Amer
lean public men of his age. His entire capacity
for all the duties of the Secrctaryship of the
Navy, including that Of a counsellor of the
President in all important affairs Of state, are
certainly unsurpassed in the opinion of the
country, without distinction of party. We may
not inapprOpriately add, that the President has
no more tried friend nor any in whom he places
more entire confidence, as all the world know
Knowing these facts, if Secretary Toucey goes
on the Supreme bench, we shall by no means lie
surprised to find Mr. Appleton become his sue
cessor. We know nothing whatever of the Pres
ident's intentions in the premises, and are here
but specializing on the signs of the times as they
float around US
Political ExPosITIoN.-We republish
from the Union of yesterday morning the fol-
lowing letter, as embracing interesting inform
alton concerning the politics of the day:
- To the Editor of the Union:
. have recently seen in the newspapers state
ment that the Hon. Thomas s. Bocock, Of Wiz
has hap nl send n h. IN
keitt, of South Carolina, as in violent opposition
to the administration of Mr.. Buchanan on account
Of the Kansas policy Of Gov. Walker, and ! am
satisfied that Mr.. Bocock's position in this re-
spect has been misunderstood.
. He very recently passed through Washing
ton, and expressed himself freely on this ques-
ton. As understand him, he does not approve
Walkers oficious dictation and threats TO defeat
a constitution If not submitted TO the people He
maintains that the convention, which represents
the highest sovereignty Of the people, alone, have
the rlght TO submit, or not, as II may determine.
constitution for ratification or rejection; and that
Walkers interference was gratuitous, and in the
highest degree offensive to the spirit and letter of
the organic act the Cincinnati platform; Mr.
Buchanan's letter OF acceptance of the Democratic
nomination and the instructions of the President
which Were to govern Walkers conduct in the
execution OF his duties as Governor of the Terri
tory.
. The Virginia delegation in Congress- and
so far as ! can learn, the members elect generally
OF the South, occupy this ground; but they are
r..
Buchanan before he shall have an opportunity
fully to develop his policy; nor will they 90 for
breaking up the demo- ratio organization for what
they consider one misstep OF the Administration.
4" But II is belieyed-and there is good reason
for the belief-that the President himself does
not entirely approve of Gov. Walkers acts. As
personal favor, and at the earnest solicita-
tion OF the President, Mr.. Walker made sacri-
fees to accept the office Of governor of Kansas
aud therefore we can all appreciate the unwil-
lingness Of Mr.. Buchanan to sacrifice his friend
for whatever blund-rs have been heretofore com-
United The President may be disposed to for
give the past and indulge hope that w alker's
future Will be retrieved by good conduct and
that IN the further execution of the delicate func
tons OF his Office, the governor will act in stricter
conformity to the powers which the cons tuition
invests him with under the organic act and To
the Instructions of the President, whose duty II
Is TO see that the laws faithfully executed ;;
Gov. Walkers only prerogative is to execute
the laws, not 10 make them.
'Mr. Bocock, and the whole democratic South
are deeply soIcitous, aye, anxious that Walker
Will tHisTrsnc no longer with his censorious die
tums' All we ask is noa-fHfeTreHfrOn.
For myself, | am gratified to believe that the
President will, in his message to Congress- fully
satisfy the party and the country as to his ortho-
doxy and constitutional soundness on this much