Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-02-10

JOHN LErCHER, ~
J. CLANCY JONES,
JOHN s. PHELPS,
HENRY M. PHILLIPS,
JOHN COCHRANE,
JANRs B. CLAY, . ~ ~
ALEXANDER II. STEPHENS.
February 9, 1858.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CoRRRcTKD.-Tle init
Democratic party Washington correspondents,
by way of stifening the backbone of opposition
to the acceptance of the Lecompton Constitu-
ton, are doing their best to create the impress
sion that there exists disposition on the part
Of some of the Democrats proper Of the House
to recede from their position of insisting on the
admission of Kansas into the Union upon the con-
stitution now before Congress. In this opinion
they are entirely mistaken, we assure the distant
public. The much-longer continuance of the
Union is so completely locked up in the success
Of the policy Of the latter in this matter as that
none Of them entertain the slightest idea Of re-
ceding an inch. Few men are better informed
than ourself upon the state Of feeling among the
members and we are satisfied that were Min
nesota, with all her disregard Of the enabling
act passed in her case, to be admitted into the
Union, and Kansas, on account of the constitu
ton with which she applies be refused admis-
sion no ten Southern Representatives ard Sem
ators would remain a day longer in either hall
of Congress. The day for further compromises
on the slavery question is passed. The able
article we quoted yesterday from the New
York Herald explains why, so forcibly, that he
must be intellectually and physically blind who
| fails to comprehend the fac more especially
after the purely sectional collision that occurred
in the House hall on Friday night.
We are very sure that there is not gentle
man in either House who has not made up his
| mind to trust his future political fortunes in
the boat of anti-slavery, who does not realize
| that the refusal Of Congress to admit Kansas
under the Lecompton Constitution, and the
admission Of Minnesota, will be instantly fol-
lowed by disunion measures on the part of the
legislatures and people of every State in the
COnfederacy south of the Potomac, every one
of which not then in session would be promptly
convened. The individual opposition of Gov
| Wise to the acceptance of the Lecompson con-
stitution would be no barrier whatever to the
action of the Virginia Legislature in the prem
ises; or if the legal existence Of that body be
then terminated of another which would be at
once chosen by the people to act in the prem
ises. There is not a single member of the
present Legislature of Virginia, Of either party,
who sympathises with the position of Governor
Wise-not one; nor is there a single member
of any other State legislature south of the
Potomac who stands with him-Gov. w lie
Is entirely isolated and alone at the South as
those at the North who have property, the
value of which will be destroyed in the destruc-
ton of the Confederacy, may find out to their
sorrow, when too late.
The South has backed completely to the
edge of the precipice already upon the slavery
question, and cannot back an inch further
without plunging into the gulf of the entire
fagrant and avowed abrogation of her right.
under the Union. She knows we'll that the
time has come when she must stand at bay at
any cost to the Union, which she would pre-
serve if that can be accomplished otherwise
than by the entire sacrifice of her rights and
interests in it.
| RETIRED LIST FOR THE ARMY TIE
TROOPS IN KANsAs.-THE NECESSITY FOR AN
INCREASE OF THE ARMY.-Some days ago We
received the following brief but interesting let
ter for which We have just been able to make
room in the Star:
| LKAvENwORrH, X T, Jan %, 1s5s
| Editor Star: Several orders from HEADQUARTERS
OF the Army have been received upon the subject
of the Utah expedition. These show the master
military MUD of our present Secretary of War
| In the President will be advised by one so CAPT
tally qushhed there Is no doubt but that the
limited force at his disposal will be used to the
| best advantage.
The President, the Secretary of War and Gen
Scott have each urged he nec-ss, of an inc rrase
OF onr regular Army; but Congress does not ap-
pear disposed to listen to the dictates of wisdom
and experience, although the press and the pub
lie generally are advocating the increase, both on
. account Of the absolute necessity and upon the
score OF economy az to the kind .f troops need.
III our present Administration fails to bring the
? MormOns to their senses and keep the Indians i'm
subsection, the fault will be alone the want of
appropriate means, for which Congress alone
must be held accountable.
, am much pleased To fmd that Mr. Iyerson
Srna' or T. ON Geurg Is aware OF the necessity OF
an efficient Army, and has called the attention of
Congress TO the absolute necessity Of leg
Tor the Pui pose OF retiring from active service
snch commissioned officers as are rendered moi,
effective by the inhrmities Of aye. by wounds or
chrome diseases incurred in the Discharge of
their official duties. The number OF such oficers
, | ~ small in comparison with that Of the NAVY
when bill was passed to increase its efficiency
Shonld II be deemed necessary to confine leyisla.
non TO the efficiency OF the line of the Army, the
number to he retired would not be over fifty
. According to my limited knowlt Il ye, this number
would be distributed as follows:
| Two regiments Of d agoOns.
| Ohr req Ilrnt OF mounted Titemen. ........
| four regiments OF artillery MISREPRESENTATION. I3
, Ten regiments OF infantry. ........... q
Total OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 81
| In my calculations many have been included
who may be deemed lit fOr active service. and II
so, OF coursethe above total will be less / merely
give what suppose TO be- the ma z i'm u,n number
but OF uoufse | may be mistaken. This a CO nj.
Petent boaId or court Of inquiry could soon de-
| eide.
In the recent orders issued for reinforcing the
Utah expedition, and garrisoning certain parts
IL mas been asserted that the inf mites OF age
&c, has had something to do with the arrange,
ments made. IL such an assertion be true, il in
nothing more than what has happened hereto.
fore, and what will happen hereafter in any
future expedition unless retired Est shall be
made. ~
In a letter dated In Kansas on the oath Of De-
Star, ] find the following: