Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-08-11
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

Wasting away Tor some months past.
We knew him intimately since the boyhood
Of both of US, and rarely knew a man in whose
nature there were combined more substantial
and valuable qualities. He was distinguished
for public spirit, frankness, liberaIty and good
sense as a citizen, and for all the personal
qualities which secure for n man the ardent
love Of his own family and Of those even re-
mOtely depending upon him for happiness or
success in life. Few men Of his age have been
of more substantial service to Washington city,
the improvement and prosperity Of which were
always the subjects of unfagging solicitation
on his part.
The LATE INDIAN TROUBLES IN MINNESOTA
The Secretary of War is fairly entitled to the
thanks Of the country for the manner in which
In response to the call made upon him by the
Interior Department. he has managed to check
the recent disposition of the Sioux to initiate a
general Indian war on the Northwestern from
tier, for such would almost necessarily have
been the result Of hostilities in that quarter
under existing circumstances. 1t was the duty
of the Commissioner of Indian affairs and the
Secretary Of the Interior on learning Of the
danger threatened there, TO apply to the War
Department for the military force necessary to
repress the hostile intentions of the Indians,
That duty they performed in time, though they
themselves became aware of the extent and
pressing character of the danger at late hour;
for 1t arose as suddenly, as by skillful manage
ment at the War Department il was depressed
The troops were scattered over the country, ac-
lively engaged in Florida, Kansas, Nebraska
New York, Michigan. and elsewhere-being
needed no where else as much as in Minnesota
for the time being. 1t required great decision
energy, forethought and activity to assemble
them at the scene of danger in sufficient num-
bers IN time to accomplish the humane purpose
of the Government. That is; to overawe the
savages into complete subsection to the deter
minaion of the authorities, without the neces-
sity Of striking blow. Private letters from
the vicinity Of the trouble tell US of the effect of
the unexpected appearance of such body of
United States troops there as the Indians did
not dream to have been in the service of the
Government They seemed to imagine that
Providence had rained them down upon them
as ii were, and universally adopted the opinion
that the so Opportune assembling of the SOL
diers was sign from the Great Being, that their
contemplated effort TO exterminate the settlers
would speedily end in their own determination
Such is the key to their sudden quiet submis-
sion, after preparing so completely for hostili-
ties
Had the assembling Of the troops been de-
layed single week, the result could not have
failed to have been different. To our mind the
highest order of craftsmanship is that which
successfully aceOmplshes desirable ends with
little parade and in a prompt manner, and
wards off IN tba oh
statesman without loss when his functions are
civil, and without the efusion of blood when
they are military Judging Secretary Floyd
by this practical common sense standard. the
country will at glance comprehend that.
though comparatively a stranger to national
public affairs, the President, in calling him into
his council and entrusting to him so important
functions, knew his man well. Such manage
lnent, under a monarchical government. Of 50
difficult and delicate and AT the same time so
important piece Of business would earn a
statesman in the Secretary position, a title
The KNOXVILLE CONvENrIOy-W look
with more hope to the proceedings of the South
ern Convention at Knoxville, 10 attend which
the delegates from this region Of the South set
out on Friday and Saturday last than ever be-
fore to those of similar body They (the del
egates) are, as a class, men OF more sub Distance
intellectually and so far rs their business con-
nections and habits are concerned. than those
who have heretofore figured On such occasions
vi late, too, public opinion throughout the
south concerning the purposes and capabilities
OF such meetings has taken practical turn,
which bodies well
Our present expectation in connection with
this Convention is, that it will result in cyoly
Ing much information concerning the capabili-
ties OF Western Virginia, North and South Car.
olina, Northern Georgia, Alabama, and Missis-
sippi, and Eastern Tennessee and Kentucky.
agricultural and mineral, and also CONCERNING
the prospects and condition of the various r..iI
road enterprises ON which the speedy develop
meht vi the dormant resources Of those sections
OF the Union in great measure depend. We
know our country well. AT least we have en-
dedyored to master as much substantial knowI
edge concerning it as the time at our DISMISSAL
Tor many years past would allow, and certainly
know no more desirable country from the Can
ada line On the northeast around to the line of
the British possessions Oh the Pacific coast. Its
natural resources are such as that il is capable
Vi sustaining perhaps larger permanent popu-
iati"n, living as the people of the United States
ii'e' than any other portion of the Union en-
oa@ceu within the same number of square miles,
anording facilities for every desirable diversity
oi Prontaole employment that can be followed
Inland ana Offering every desirable difference
Of climate. It's mines are yet almost uno~.
Piored' though in mineral wealth il Is rn-.r
passed In the world. We look 70 ro;Iroad.s-
their development, as well as to make IT, -
gion to which we refer do its legitimate h.
IN making up the sum total of the general nro.'
perlty OF the country, which it has not vet com
menced to do
ihE RESULT IN TENNESSEE. - The over
"heilnins Democratic victory in Tennessee is
70 iead 10 very animated contest for the two