Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-06-22
WASHING TON NEWS AND GOSSIP

bune rejOices that the last crime perpe trated
by the notorious Jim Lane, of Kansas relieves
it of the necessity Of defending his character
and acts for the sake of the Republican party
L n his article upon that last murder committed
by Lane, the editor frankly admits that for
yelrs past, though perfectly satisfied that indi-
vidually, Lane is as grand a scoundrel and as
dangerous to the peace and good order of So
ciety as any man living, yet he has constantly
defended his acts and applauded him, fer the
sake of party, We allude to his article because
his confessions show him to be emphatically a
representative man of class of journalists of
the times, who, we regret to have to write, are
far too numerous for the future we'll being of
the land. 1t is already very clear that the out
RACES and atrocities the violations of the rights
of others, perpetrated by Lane at the head of
his rutian followers in person, and by them at
times under the guidance of his secret counsels
have done more than aught else conceivable to
satisfy the conservative portion of the North
who were inclined to sympathize with the views
of the Republican party on nearly all the po-
lltical questions issue, that, after ALL it will
never do to place the reins of government in
such hands as his, or those of party leaders
sympathizing with him and openly defending
his acts. 1t is, indeed, clear to our mind, that
if the Republican party press had from the
start repudiated Lane, his cOunsels and his acts
and those of his followers, Republican partyism
would at this moment be, morally, twice as
strong as at present, everywhere. AS for the
journalist who ayOws that he defended encour-
aged and upheld Lane in murder, arson and
robbery flor such is the substance of the deca-
ration of the Chicago Tribnne many for tho sake
OF party it only proves that the fear Of the law
alone prevents him from perpetrating acts, to
the same end, rs villanOus as thos, of his late
deml-god; and, further, that of all enemies of
his party, none has contributed more according
to his capacity, than himself, towards rendering
it an object of distruSt in the minds Of right
thinking men.
In tie whole course of our experience with
public affairs we never yet knew an effort to
defend indefensibe acts for the benefit of party
that did not inJure it far more than so doing
benefited it-never. To pursue that mistaken
policy, is to act on the mistaken idea that the
world does not know well that bad men will
attach themselves to any party under the wing
OF which they may believe that they can secure
immunity for their misdeeds, through the read
| mess with which short-sighted fools, entrusted
with newspapers, and ovcrheated and vicious
active politicians, muster to their defence under
the delusOn of belief that, to defend them, is
to render service to their party As for the
Democratic party, its principles are based on
the doctrine OF common honesty in dealing
with all, the protection of the legal rights of all
alike-the firm and unyielding administered
OF the law for the benefit or punishment as
may be, of all alike. party the strength of
which before the country is based on such prin-
ciples, which owes its long continued supremacy
to the confidence which the people at 'larg,
place in the future correct guidance of its couL-
ellis, can never be benefited by essaying o
throw the mantle of its popularity around mis-
deeds.
The Democratic party has its own Jim Lanes
on much smaller scale, it 8 true; and the
Democratic party press by no means fall as Of
ten into the mistake of the opposition press in
the matter of defending their misdeeds as being
Democratic acts worthy Of all praise. As fl
the Star, it has never knowingly done that
thing, and it will never, we trust lack discre-
ton and true public spirit sufficiently to iden-
tify the Democratic cause with the palliation OF
deeds in direct conflict with its patriotic aid
law-abiding principles. The Democracy have, as
aparty, been the cOrrector of abuses and the
protector of the rights of society and individ-
uals. To make its mantle the shield by which
any may perpetrate abuses or invade with i'm
panity public or private rights, will be to rob
1t OF its fairly earned prestige of true and sound
patriotlsm-the great lever with which we trust
1t may continue to war, battle after battle.
against its opponents.
The HUBBUBBOO.-The last news from Eng
land makes plain the fact that John Bull. at
home does not entertain the least idea of be-
coming responsible for the late foolish efforts of
his officers in the Gulf of Mexico to earn prize
mOney-which was doubtless at the bottom of
their attempt to exercise upon our flag the
long since exploded fright of visitation. u
mere can be no question that the English
Government has already emphatica,ly dis
avowed the propriety of the folly of the com.
mander OF the Styx, and issued orders to pre-
vent him or others from indulging in like
conduct towards American vessels. Whatever
actual pecuniary damages that may have been
inflicted on them, we presume England will
promptly pay; while in explanations and
apologies we fancy she has by this time paid
: the SCOT run up thus on account of her out
RACES on our national honor and dignity
JUDGE CRAwFoLD'S CHAGGE.-The charge
o. Judge Crawford, Of the Criminal Court, to
the Grand Jury yesterday, was very appro-
pirate, and it is to be hoped those to whom it
was delivered will give strict heed to the suc-
gestiOns therein contained. After calling their
attention to the Importance of the functions
which they are called upon to exercise, the
Judge directs them to the fact that although
their duties are the same which other similar
inqulsitorial bodies have been performing for
centuries, there are still constantly recurring
variety in their Investigations because the in
Ventrve ingenuity of man is employed in evil
rs well as in good, and leads him to surround
vicious deeds with novel devices of conceal.
mPpt and seek IN al